If I order the 4.30 electronic locking differential option, and I'm in 4WD but I don't pull the **** to electronically lock the differential, is the default unlocked mode limited slip or non-limited slip?

 

Open, or Non limited slip.

 

Non-limited slip. Open diff. Open or locked are the only setings.

The limited slip nature of these trucks, is from the ECM detecting one-wheel peel, and applying ABS braking to the spinning wheel. It also limits throttle. IMO, it's the most nanny-ish in 2wd. It's allows more throttle in 4wd and especially 4L. IME, it works better than the OEM limited slip in my previous F350's.

Some people miss the LS rear, I don't. E-locker is way better. I suggest premium tires to the guys that miss the LS on the street.

 

That's what I was afraid of. I want to change my order to 4.30 ear end, but it only comes with the electronic locking option. I think I would prefer 4.30 Limited slip, but that's not available...

 

Nah. Give the locker a chance. You can always pull it, sell it, and put a Detroit Truetrac in. But I think you'll like the locker better.

 

Are you ordering a 6.2?

Why do you think you want the LSD instead of the e-locker? Maybe I can help sort out the differences in application.

 

My order is in COTUS, but I still have time to make a change. I thought I had ordered 3.73 LS, but saw the order sheet and realized I got N-LS. I will be towing a mid size 7000# trailer with around 1,000# tongue weight, also plan on getting a SnugTop canopy over the bed that weighs about 235#. So I ordered the 6.2L for it's higher cargo capacity. 50% towing, 50% daily driver. Now I'm leaning towards the 4.30, but it only comes with EL...

 

It will be open.

 

But why do you want the LSD over the E-Locker?

 

The limited slip is half *** at best, you will regret getting it over the electric locker.

Trust me you want 4.30 E-locker!

 

He’s on Whidbey so he’ll be driving on wet roads covered with cedar needles 9 months out of the year. I can see where the limited slip would be handy.

I ordered the 4.30 locker on my truck just for the gear ratio. Had there been an option for a 4.30 limited slip I probably would have gone that way. Can’t imagine I’ll be using the locker but you never know. Maybe at the boat ramp..... but I’d have to get another boat for that.

 

I am with this guy, lsd is good in higher rpm high speed corner speed stuff like a car doing a burn out or power sliding around a corner.

a lsd is nearly useless off road in low speed situations. On a icy road going around corners I would rather have an open diff.

E-locker all the way, I made sure I added it to my order.

when test driving a truck at the dealer, I parked the truck back on the hill, I went slow and started spinning, hopping the curb and going up the dirt hill at the same time, pulled the elocker on and backed it right up

 

I THINK Ford is putting locking in SRW and limited slip in DRW. (Not sure about this...maybe only applies diesel trucks?) Regardless:

Off-road, low speed and low traction locking is my preference.

On-road, higher speed, ice/snow/rain/wet leaves limited slip is my preference.

Both systems are good...each with advantages and disadvantages.

 

I need to do more research. The concept of a 4x4 having non-limited slip seems nearly useless to me. I don't do much off roading, but maneuvering a trailer around a sloped gravel driveway seems I would want power to all 4 wheels, not just the two that are spinning... the restrictions in the OM on electronic locking reads not to use on asphalt, so I'm back to N-LS on the wet fir-needle covered roads....

 

My wife’s F150 FX4 has the E-locker as well as my F350 and I love it in both trucks!. I have never liked the old limited slip rear axle because it never seemed to do anything, most of the time when I did get stuck plowing snow I usually only had one rear tire spinning. Now you just pull the **** out and you know the rear axel is locked. I think the E-locker is a huge improvement over the old limited slip axel.