Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Why did I get stuck?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 05:33 PM
  #1  
Phone Guy's Avatar
Phone Guy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Far Northern CA
Why did I get stuck?

I have an '03 5.4 250,
I went up to the mountains on Saturday to cut the Christmas tree and while turning around on this landing, in about 8 inches of snow, I got stuck. The terrain where I turned around was fairly level. I was stuck. I have ESOF and even got out and locked the hubs manualy. My two right tires were spinning but not the left. Any idea why I had no power to the left side? I have about 11K on the truck(almost new).
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 05:39 PM
  #2  
Yeti's Avatar
Yeti
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 11
From: IN FRONT OF YOU
Well....only one of your fronts will spin, unless you installed a locker.....and as far as the rears go...do you have LS? if so...it may be a weak one...
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 05:40 PM
  #3  
wlihntr's Avatar
wlihntr
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
because you have open diffs, or you have and open front diff and the almost useless factory ford rear limited slip. if it happens again you can apply the parking brake a little(as the wheels are slipping) and that will supply more torque into the LS to activate it(if you have one).
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 06:02 PM
  #4  
utahtom's Avatar
utahtom
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 2
From: Northern Utah
Phone Guy,
wlihntr & Yeti answered your question... The only thing I could add is starting out in 3rd gear with an automatic will sometimes help (sounds strange-but true) when slipping for no good reason. I just put my studded & siped snow tires on this morning because I was sure slip'n around the past two weeks-
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 06:55 PM
  #5  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

You got stuck cause you have a normal 4x4 truck. One of my pet peeves in the world.
Thats why I have the front and rear locked the difference is mind blowing but its not for everyone. Even with a little bit of snow it will ramp under a wheel and if its not turning the other tire can't build enough traction to push it over the ramp. So you go nowhere.
So how did you get out???
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 07:29 PM
  #6  
Phone Guy's Avatar
Phone Guy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Far Northern CA
Thanks for the replies. I am very frustrated about this. I have an 82 4x4 and I know that all 4 wheels spin if needed. I thought that if I spent 35k + on a rig that I would get a real 4 wheel drive. To get out I dug and another guy up there dug and put some 2x6 boards under the tires. My daughter, Faith was in the back telling me which tires were spinning. I was able to finally get some traction. My wife waited for 45 minutes 1/4 mile up the road with the tree waiting for me to pick her up. None of us were happy.
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2004 | 07:32 PM
  #7  
Yeti's Avatar
Yeti
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 11
From: IN FRONT OF YOU
No different from any other 4x4 on the market today......

I guess it's time for some bolt ons...
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 04:56 PM
  #8  
Phone Guy's Avatar
Phone Guy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Far Northern CA
I dropped my truck off this morning to the Ford Dealer. After checking it out they determined that the rear limited slip is NOT working and will be ordering a new third member. I knew something wasn't right. They also ordered a new center console due to the carpet piece on the back side pulling out. 5-7 days to get the parts.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 05:12 PM
  #9  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

Limited slips really don't work in low traction situations. Sometimes you can play with brakes to get it to work but that doesn't always work. they are really meant for the dry street. For example when one tire is on sand and the other dry pave they will work well.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 05:31 PM
  #10  
Fire Rooster's Avatar
Fire Rooster
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Phx, AZ
Yet another reason the holidays are not that cheery.

Fire Rooster
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 05:56 PM
  #11  
Phone Guy's Avatar
Phone Guy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Far Northern CA
Are lockers a good investment? What do you recommend?
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 06:03 PM
  #12  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

All depends on your usage. I use my truck more than most. In the woods pullin trees or plowing and sanding, Farm type work Lotsa off road. Steep driveway. For me I can't do crap without them but most people don't need them. If you are like me then you would like them and never go back.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 08:21 PM
  #13  
mtncrawler's Avatar
mtncrawler
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Breckenridge, Colorado
4X4 with tire chains on the front or better yet on all four do amazing things. IMO better than lockers when it comes to off-road snow.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2004 | 08:29 PM
  #14  
chuck641's Avatar
chuck641
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 3
From: Villa Rica, GA
if you do a lot of street driving you dont want a locker in the rear, it makes one tire hop around corners and it makes it easier to break stuff. but you may think about putting a locker on the front, since you can unlock the hubs so the locker will have no negative effects on the road, but when the hubs are locked in both fronts will spin 100%

Jason
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 09:53 AM
  #15  
krewat's Avatar
krewat
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Club FTE Gold Member
If you don't want to go with a gear-based locker (noisy and hard to turn), I'd suggest an Auburn LS - they hold up to the abuse and work great - more than 125ft/lbs of break-away torque on the one I have in my '96 t-bird (8.8") - stock, the Ford Traction-Lok is spec'd at only 25ft/lbs break-away torque.

The t-bird is FUN in the snow now And I don't get stuck either.

By the way, I've had my '01 in snow up to (and past) the front bumper and never got stuck - with A/T tires - even though I tried to get it stuck on purpose

One thing no one else mentioned - what kinda TIRES you have?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:35 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE