A selectable locker is the way to go. I have ARB lockers in my 04. You engage them only when you need them, and open diff's when not engaged so no ill effects on the street. The only draw back is they are not cheap. If you can only afford one get a rear.

 

I have a 2005 F250 CC Lariat with 4wd SOF with limited slip. Does that mean I have LS on front and rear or just rear?

Al

 

Has anyone else used Flex-trax before? I have just picked up a pair to have in such situations as this. Super easy and quick to put on. Even with locked 4x4 diffs, I have still run into cases that I had wheel spin. Mostly when I'm not running my mud offroad tires but ATs and I believe this will be the solution in those cases.

http://www.flextrax.com/

 

Just the rear

 

Now if those went all the way around with nasty metal studs in there I would consider them. Most people use chains for ice..

 

True, as that is all there has been for decades. These are quite different from chains in many aspects (all positive ) and heck of a lot easier to get on and off. I saw a live demo at a trade show with these and std snow chains and they were far superior to chains in lots of categories including stopping, traction and tire wear/rubbing. Of course they cost about 1.5 to 2x the chains. With my earlier post, I was just wondering if anyone else had any experience with them.

 

from the pics it looked like some kinda plastic with no grippers for icy conditions.

 

Speaking of tire chains.....

http://www.plowsunlimited.com/tire_protect_chains.htm

 

I have been considering something like this as well. Do you have an on-board compressor for this, or is this one of the electric ones?

 

ARB's use an on-board compressor system. www.arb.com. For electric, check out the Trac Tech Electrac, www.tractech.com. This company also makes the Detroit Locker (not a selectable).

 

just a correction www.arbusa.com

 

I used to live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in an area where it wasn't unusual to get 200-300 inches of snow a year - and one the things I learned was to carry a set of traction mats with me. Yeah, chains are nice, but they're a pain to put on when you're stuck in a snowbank - and they aren't really the kind of thing that you'd want to leave on your truck everyday (especially if you're going to be driving on any 'normal' roads). Studded tires are the best, but they're illegal in many areas - and once again, while they work great in the snow you wouldn't want to use them on the highway.

So, I carry a set of mats in most of my vehicles - when I get stuck, I toss them under the tires, and normally I can drive right out (unless I'm in REALLY deep snow). Once I'm out, then I pick the mats up and toss them back behind the seat or in the bed. Quick & easy...and you don't have to sit around outside and freeze your butt off.

Anyway, there are a lot of different styles out there - my sets are made of rubber belting with 1" long steel studs sticking through it, and are flexible enough that I can roll them up and store them pretty easily. I'm not sure who originally made them, but if you do a search on the 'net you can probably find something similar. Over the years, I've probably used them to get vehicles unstuck at least 100 times - and so far I haven't had to replace any of them, though they're starting to look a bit rough.

I also know folks who carry studded tracks off of snowmobiles to put under their tires, but that's a little less practical and not quite as convenient.

Edited to add: I just did a search, and while I found quite a few similar products I didn't find any built like the mats I bought 15 years ago. IIRC, I got mine in Canada...perhaps the company has gone out of business, or doesn't have a website. Why is it that when I find a product that works, they stop making it?

LK

 

Hubs2000,

Yes, the ARB's use air to acuate the lockers and I have an on-board compressor. When I checked around for selectable lockers back in March, ARB was the only one to make one for 10.5 sterling. Tractech did not make the Detroit Electrax for the sterling then. You will have to check to see if they make one now. You will not be sorry with the ARB's, they are time tested and trail proven...I love mine.