E Locker Questions
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I agree that the locker in the rear is better, but I have never liked traction control on anything. If you are in a situation like mud or are climbing a slick hill the traction control will kill power and apply the brakes to the spinning wheel which causes you to lose your momentum and get stuck or not be able to climb the hill. I guess you can still turn it off for situations like this but in my ford work van it still comes back on after you hit 20mph, not sure if the trucks are like this or not.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
The factory limited slip is a clutch type limited slip just like the GM Posi or the Chrysler Sure grip. The way a clutch limited slip works is there are clutch packs on each side of the spider gears that have a preload on them that are constantly trying to keep both wheels spinning at the same speed. However that preload can't be very high or else you would be chirping the tires every time you go around a corner because there would be no differentiation between the wheels. If you get into a situation where one tire has very little traction like on ice and the other tire still has good traction there can be enough difference to overcome the clutch packs and only one wheel would spin. The factory Ford limited slip isn't set up very tight so it is easy to overcome the friction of the clutches.
Yeah, thanks.
Now—my 2018 F150 KR has a rear locker, but as near as I can tell, a limited slip front. Is that the case?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
Thanks for that. I've seen the Positraction dog clutches and have left my share of dual black stripes on the road, but I didn't realize how easy the limited slips might be to overcome. So, my GMC Yukon with limited slips front and rear most likely reverts to single-wheel drive at each end when there's a significant traction difference. I wondered why the hard-core off-roaders install lockers.
Yeah, thanks.
Now—my 2018 F150 KR has a rear locker, but as near as I can tell, a limited slip front. Is that the case?
Yeah, thanks.
Now—my 2018 F150 KR has a rear locker, but as near as I can tell, a limited slip front. Is that the case?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
I agree that the locker in the rear is better, but I have never liked traction control on anything. If you are in a situation like mud or are climbing a slick hill the traction control will kill power and apply the brakes to the spinning wheel which causes you to lose your momentum and get stuck or not be able to climb the hill. I guess you can still turn it off for situations like this but in my ford work van it still comes back on after you hit 20mph, not sure if the trucks are like this or not.
In 4low it'll stay on at any reasonable speed if your driving down the beach at Daytona or something.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I was watching a guy mount tires. The Yukon was on a lift and both front tires turned in the same direction when he rotated one. Is that not a good test for limited slip? Also, it binds like crazy when turning on dry pavement in 4WD. Would an open front differential do that?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
For my use driving around town in the winter on snow covered/wet roads would the standard traction control system work well enough to minimize wheel spin and allow the truck to move out on snow covered roads?
If I can get by without the E locker option the local dealers have several 2017 trucks in stock that I would be interested in.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
Mine turns off at 20mph, it'll come back on when I slow down. Not that it matters, I only use it when I'm struggling to go, not when moving swiftly where it's fairly useless.
In 4low it'll stay on at any reasonable speed if your driving down the beach at Daytona or something.
In 4low it'll stay on at any reasonable speed if your driving down the beach at Daytona or something.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I was watching a guy mount tires. The Yukon was on a lift and both front tires turned in the same direction when he rotated one. Is that not a good test for limited slip? Also, it binds like crazy when turning on dry pavement in 4WD. Would an open front differential do that?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I checked Ford's website and they only offer Non-Limited Slip (open) or E Locker differentials.
For my use driving around town in the winter on snow covered/wet roads would the standard traction control system work well enough to minimize wheel spin and allow the truck to move out on snow covered roads?
If I can get by without the E locker option the local dealers have several 2017 trucks in stock that I would be interested in.
For my use driving around town in the winter on snow covered/wet roads would the standard traction control system work well enough to minimize wheel spin and allow the truck to move out on snow covered roads?
If I can get by without the E locker option the local dealers have several 2017 trucks in stock that I would be interested in.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 107
From: Staten Island, NY
I think he's referring to the e-locker. That's how it works - shuts down above 20 mph in 4X4 high and 65 mph in 4 low.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
I checked Ford's website and they only offer Non-Limited Slip (open) or E Locker differentials.
For my use driving around town in the winter on snow covered/wet roads would the standard traction control system work well enough to minimize wheel spin and allow the truck to move out on snow covered roads?
If I can get by without the E locker option the local dealers have several 2017 trucks in stock that I would be interested in.
For my use driving around town in the winter on snow covered/wet roads would the standard traction control system work well enough to minimize wheel spin and allow the truck to move out on snow covered roads?
If I can get by without the E locker option the local dealers have several 2017 trucks in stock that I would be interested in.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
You really don't even need snow tires on a 4x4 a good set of all terrains do just fine. I have even ran mud tires for the past 4 years and never had any issues in the snow. Snow tires are more for cars in my opinion.