Front open differential?
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Freshman User
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Front open differential?
Thinking about ordering a 2017 SD. But from what I can tell they all have front open diffs? Obviously that is no good for any type of off-road.
From what I understand ARB offer's air lockers for the front Dana 60. Anyone have a clue if that would work in a 2017 SD? Not sure if they did any axle changes from the previous SD.
From what I understand ARB offer's air lockers for the front Dana 60. Anyone have a clue if that would work in a 2017 SD? Not sure if they did any axle changes from the previous SD.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
99% of all 4wd trucks sold came with open front diffs, the reason is that with a locked front diff the truck becomes almost uncontrollable, when both tires have traction the vehicle just wants to go straight ahead and it will pull hard to the side with traction when the surface is uneven and slippery so you simply cannot use it on packed or paved roadways and at speed. So what you'll find is a front locker is really only useful in the most extreme offroad conditions and once you're out of that you will want to unlock it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: northern ontario
He's talking about an arb air locker that you can unlock for a normal open dif
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Freshman User
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99% of all 4wd trucks sold came with open front diffs, the reason is that with a locked front diff the truck becomes almost uncontrollable, when both tires have traction the vehicle just wants to go straight ahead and it will pull hard to the side with traction when the surface is uneven and slippery so you simply cannot use it on packed or paved roadways and at speed. So what you'll find is a front locker is really only useful in the most extreme offroad conditions and once you're out of that you will want to unlock it.
I would be coming from a Power Wagon that has electric lockers in the front too. But I really like the new SD and diesel.
Oh and that also begs the question, do these aftermarket 2017 SD winch bumpers work with the diesel and I assume associated inter-cooler? And not block all the air?
I need a winch and some sort of non-open differential in the front. Aftermarket is not problem for me.
Oh and also when I built a Platinum SD, why is there no "FX4" package? It lists skid plates and rear E-locker as separate lines.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,046
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From: northern ontario
Thinking about ordering a 2017 SD. But from what I can tell they all have front open diffs? Obviously that is no good for any type of off-road.
From what I understand ARB offer's air lockers for the front Dana 60. Anyone have a clue if that would work in a 2017 SD? Not sure if they did any axle changes from the previous SD.
From what I understand ARB offer's air lockers for the front Dana 60. Anyone have a clue if that would work in a 2017 SD? Not sure if they did any axle changes from the previous SD.
Back in 1990 "I was 20yrs old"and rebuilt a 71 bronco I changed the gearing to 4:10 and installed a Detroit locker front and rear that truck was a beast off road. Then came the 1st winter I had a company truck 1983 ford ranger 2wd but being 20yrs old that was not cool to drive that after work lol. 1st snowfall I took my bronco out for a cruise put it in 4wd gave that 351w a shot of gas going down a snow covered road and after doing what I think was 2 360's cause the front end was grabbing traction on both wheels I parked it for the winter and never drove it again in 4wd on a paved surface.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
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From: BC Canada
You might be better off without the electric rear locker too. If you are converting the front to an ARB, do the rear too. Reason I say thins is the rear locker electric shuts off at 30 mph. This would likely make wheeling tricky as tire speed would be an issue. That being said, depends on how you load it. Good weight on the rear and the locker will get you through a fair bit, essentially 3 wheel drive. The other thing I would think to consider is the diesel, she is HEAVY up front there.
When you go on the build site the FX 4 should show as included in some of the packages? Try building a platinum ultimate and see if it shows you get these additional options?
When you go on the build site the FX 4 should show as included in some of the packages? Try building a platinum ultimate and see if it shows you get these additional options?
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
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I'm sure the front dif is the same
Back in 1990 "I was 20yrs old"and rebuilt a 71 bronco I changed the gearing to 4:10 and installed a Detroit locker front and rear that truck was a beast off road. Then came the 1st winter I had a company truck 1983 ford ranger 2wd but being 20yrs old that was not cool to drive that after work lol. 1st snowfall I took my bronco out for a cruise put it in 4wd gave that 351w a shot of gas going down a snow covered road and after doing what I think was 2 360's cause the front end was grabbing traction on both wheels I parked it for the winter and never drove it again in 4wd on a paved surface.
Back in 1990 "I was 20yrs old"and rebuilt a 71 bronco I changed the gearing to 4:10 and installed a Detroit locker front and rear that truck was a beast off road. Then came the 1st winter I had a company truck 1983 ford ranger 2wd but being 20yrs old that was not cool to drive that after work lol. 1st snowfall I took my bronco out for a cruise put it in 4wd gave that 351w a shot of gas going down a snow covered road and after doing what I think was 2 360's cause the front end was grabbing traction on both wheels I parked it for the winter and never drove it again in 4wd on a paved surface.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
Biggest issue with aftermarket bumpers is if your truck has adaptive cruise control...moving or blocking the radar sensor can be a problem.
Any modern diesel truck used for off road can be a liability. The DPF tube can get crunched by rocks. I'd rather have the PowerWagon if I needed an HD truck for the kind of off roading that needs a front locker.
Many people *think* they need a front locker, but they don't. These trucks do have brake based traction control on the front wheels when 4x4 is engaged. That will help send traction to the other side if needed.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
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From: Lewisberry, Penn
Keep in mind too there is a little more technology in the new trucks than the old stuff. So while it's an open diff, it's not quite worthless thanks to traction control. Same with the trucks without lockers (though for serious offroading or plowing the locker is nice). By applying breaking to a spinning wheel, improved traction is achieved. If you've ever driven an older tractor you've likely applied brakes to a slipping wheel to get out of a rut. Same idea, only automatic and much more precisely applied.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Weatherford Texas.
The intercooler on the 6.7L Ford is air to liquid, not air to air like a Cummins or Duramax. It is located just inside the left fender behind the battery.
Biggest issue with aftermarket bumpers is if your truck has adaptive cruise control...moving or blocking the radar sensor can be a problem.
Any modern diesel truck used for off road can be a liability. The DPF tube can get crunched by rocks. I'd rather have the PowerWagon if I needed an HD truck for the kind of off roading that needs a front locker.
Many people *think* they need a front locker, but they don't. These trucks do have brake based traction control on the front wheels when 4x4 is engaged. That will help send traction to the other side if needed.
Biggest issue with aftermarket bumpers is if your truck has adaptive cruise control...moving or blocking the radar sensor can be a problem.
Any modern diesel truck used for off road can be a liability. The DPF tube can get crunched by rocks. I'd rather have the PowerWagon if I needed an HD truck for the kind of off roading that needs a front locker.
Many people *think* they need a front locker, but they don't. These trucks do have brake based traction control on the front wheels when 4x4 is engaged. That will help send traction to the other side if needed.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 563
could you imagine all the knuckleheads running at highway speeds with the axle locked. the only for sure way to dummy proof it, is dont even offer it. ram has dummied theirs down the best they could but in doing so, it hurts the responsible person that could use 4hi elockers