Driving Tricks?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Mount Vernon, KY
Driving Tricks?
I have a 96' F-150 Longbed Single cab 4x4 with the 302 and Automatic. It has manual hubs and manual 4x4 shifter.
It has an open diff and on even wet grass I have to lock it into 4x4 to get moving usually, don't even bring up mud. I just sit and spin usually the passenger side rear. My tires are 15inch goodyear wrangler rt/s with around 6000 miles on it. What could I do in the way I drive it or any really cheap modifications I could do to get a little more traction?
It has an open diff and on even wet grass I have to lock it into 4x4 to get moving usually, don't even bring up mud. I just sit and spin usually the passenger side rear. My tires are 15inch goodyear wrangler rt/s with around 6000 miles on it. What could I do in the way I drive it or any really cheap modifications I could do to get a little more traction?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
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i spin the tires all the time by accident on loose dirt, gravel, wet grass, even wet roads
a pickup has very little weight in the back... off road i get stuck so easy in 2wd. but all i have to do is shift to 4x4 and i come right out.
i guess you just need to be in 4x4 when you leave the pavement.
a pickup has very little weight in the back... off road i get stuck so easy in 2wd. but all i have to do is shift to 4x4 and i come right out.
i guess you just need to be in 4x4 when you leave the pavement.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Mount Vernon, KY
Normally this isn't a problem, but more times than I would like I have turned around in a driveway and when backing up dropped one rear wheel on the grass and had to get out and lock in the wheels while sitting across the road. Auto hubs would make life easier, but they would have probably quite working by now. I guess I'll just live with it.
Also, anyone reading this, I do NOT recommend Goodyear Wrangler RT/S to anyone unless you live in the desert and never go off road.
Also, anyone reading this, I do NOT recommend Goodyear Wrangler RT/S to anyone unless you live in the desert and never go off road.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,005
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Install Boggers then you wont spin on top of the grass..... youll dig a hole where the grass use to be! lol
In all honest a longbed just has barely any weight on the rear tires and suck for anything mud wise...
In all honest a longbed just has barely any weight on the rear tires and suck for anything mud wise...
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From: Georgia
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Try using brakes or emergency brake to "trick" the open diff into sending some power to the other side as well.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Lincoln Locker!!
Truthfully a good set of tires will make a world of difference when you get off the beaten path, even with an open diff. Having owned a couple long bed F150s, I know what you're dealing with... these trucks are nearly helpless in 2wd (unless they have a limited slip or locking diff). Try adding some weight behind the wheel wells, even a couple hundred pounds will make a difference.
Truthfully a good set of tires will make a world of difference when you get off the beaten path, even with an open diff. Having owned a couple long bed F150s, I know what you're dealing with... these trucks are nearly helpless in 2wd (unless they have a limited slip or locking diff). Try adding some weight behind the wheel wells, even a couple hundred pounds will make a difference.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,724
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From: peru kansas
get a mini spool they are like $35 cheap and easy to install downside is both your tires spin the same all the time.... makes even a long bed pickup able to do awesome donuts with ease lol trust me i know 
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
agreed. by gently applying brake pressure you can get the rear differential to switch sides applying power to the non spinning wheel.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
Don't do that on a pickup primarily street driven. Asking for problems
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Springfield, VA
You can find used track lock diff's (aka limited slip) for the 8.8 fairly easily at the local junk yards. Might be best to get one then swap in some new clutches and let it eat, especially if it's mainly street driven. A locker will take a little getting used to going around corners and can get hairy in snow or rain if you are heavy on the go pedal.