I am purchasing a 2004 E-350 later this week. I plan on using it to tow a boat and some quad runners. I will be driving it on dirt roads often, and I do need to pull my boat up those steep inclined boat ramps on occassion. Do I opt. for the Limited Slip with 3.73 ratio, or the regular axle with the 3.73 ratio. I am thinking that the limited slip might be a good buy for my driving pattern ? $270 upgrade. any opinions or experiences ?

 

Gotta go for the limited slip. I think $270 is sticker it's more like $200. Hell even if it was $500 I would have paid it. This truck I bought I picked off the lot and had my choice. There was a sweet looking black one with Alcoas, but no LS so I had to pass and take the one with the LS and no rims.

 

For towing a boat and getting up slippery boat ramps, the l/s would be a good idea. If you live in wintery weather with lots of snow and ice, an open diff is a little safer especially if the roads are crowned. But dirt roads, boat ramps and no ice would sway me towards the l/s. Factory limited slips are just that=limited slip, which is a big difference when you're looking at a locker which will not slip at all, unlike the factory units that can and do. The rear-end will have to have a friction modifier added everytime the gear lube is changed, or they won't work. No big deal as long as you remember to ask for it, good luck, Ken