Electronic Locking Differential
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 3
From: St George, UT
Electronic Locking Differential
While reading the manual for my new 2017 F350, I was surprised to see the following:
The following conditions will affect the electronic locking differential:
• The electronic locking differential will not engage if your vehicle speed is above 20 mph (32 km/h) in 4x2 or 4x4 High modes.
• The electronic locking differential will not engage if your vehicle speed is above or 56 mph (90 km/h) in 4X4 Low.
This is on pg 219 of the 2017 manual, third printing. No 4x4 vehicle I've ever owned would go over about 15 mph in 4x4 low. I assume this is a typo.
The following conditions will affect the electronic locking differential:
• The electronic locking differential will not engage if your vehicle speed is above 20 mph (32 km/h) in 4x2 or 4x4 High modes.
• The electronic locking differential will not engage if your vehicle speed is above or 56 mph (90 km/h) in 4X4 Low.
This is on pg 219 of the 2017 manual, third printing. No 4x4 vehicle I've ever owned would go over about 15 mph in 4x4 low. I assume this is a typo.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 15
From: Silicon Valley, CA
Get this. The workshop manual states:
Originally Posted by Workshop Manual
The operator can switch between 4H mode without ELD or 4H mode with ELD at speeds up to 31 km/h (19 mph). In 4H, the ELD will disengage at speeds above 42 km/h (25 mph) and will automatically reengage at speeds below 31 km/h (19 mph).
The operator can switch between 4L mode without ELD or 4L mode with ELD and can be engaged at any speed and will not automatically disengage.
The operator can switch between 4L mode without ELD or 4L mode with ELD and can be engaged at any speed and will not automatically disengage.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 15
From: Silicon Valley, CA
This is beautiful. In the transfer case section of the workshop manual:
Under normal driving conditions, the transfer case is in 2WD (2H), but when desired, the operator may shift into 4WD high (4H) or 4WD low (4L). The operator can shift between 2WD (2H) and 4WD high (4H) at any speed. When shifting into or out of 4WD low (4L) range, the TCCM requires that the vehicle speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph) and the transmission in NEUTRAL.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 21
From: Western MA
That's not surprising to me. A locking diff is only appropriate for slow or very slow grip situations. There's not reason you would ever need to lock it at speed or 4wd high. I don't see a reason why you shouldn't be able to lock it into it while in 2 wheel drive But I guess they figure your stuck or crawling and would want to be in 4wd low st that point.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 38
From: LA = Louisiana
I agree. Especially since you can order the electronic locker on a 2WD (RWD) SD.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 20
From: prince george, bc canada
It works in 2 wheel drive but does disengage when the speed gets too high. Its a safety issue as not many people want/know how to drive a locker at speed. A truck like the raptor has an "any speed locker" so you can "throttle steer" the truck at high speeds off road. I do dislike the locker "kickout" in these dutys myself as I am an off roader and would like a locker at higher speeds. I was recently on a hunt trip where we encountered snow. The 2107 F350 did great chewing through the snow until wheelspin speeds exceeded the lockers preset speed. At that point one wheel quit spinning and the big duty lost traction until the driver let off the throttle and re-engaged the locker. This proved to be hard on the truck and we had to turn around before we reached our destination. My 2010 duty with a freshly rebuilt limited slip was no match for the locker on the newer duty. I am soo glad ford added this tool for us guys who need it. A front locker option would be awesome!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Agreed, sometimes you have to spin the tires fast to clean the tread and dig through the snow. I do understand why Ford set a speed limit on the eld though, lockers can be a ditch finders in the snow and ice for sure.
Use mine in 2wd all the time.
Use mine in 2wd all the time.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 634
Likes: 2
Yeah, I wish a traditional limited-slip was available on my model. Love the all-speed traction and sure footedness especially on icy roads.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 38
From: LA = Louisiana
It works in 2 wheel drive but does disengage when the speed gets too high. Its a safety issue as not many people want/know how to drive a locker at speed. A truck like the raptor has an "any speed locker" so you can "throttle steer" the truck at high speeds off road. I do dislike the locker "kickout" in these dutys myself as I am an off roader and would like a locker at higher speeds. I was recently on a hunt trip where we encountered snow. The 2107 F350 did great chewing through the snow until wheelspin speeds exceeded the lockers preset speed. At that point one wheel quit spinning and the big duty lost traction until the driver let off the throttle and re-engaged the locker. This proved to be hard on the truck and we had to turn around before we reached our destination. My 2010 duty with a freshly rebuilt limited slip was no match for the locker on the newer duty. I am soo glad ford added this tool for us guys who need it. A front locker option would be awesome!
