That's no fun. I just came back from a camping trip where a friends F250 was stuck to the frame in mud coming out of a wash. A full size hummer with a 16,000 pound winch was not able to break it free. The Hummer was dragging itself toward the F250 with the winch. So I hooked up the Excursion to the back of the Hummer to use as an anchor, and then the Hummer was dragging both of them towards the F250. I have never seen a stuck like that before.
Now that was fun, until I got sick from being out in the rain and mud till 4am.

 

Pyrexic:

Don't sweat it. I have an 05 CC with "GOOD" tires, and I never use 4x4 to go skiing. While we don't have much snow this year, we do have snow and a lot of ICE. I put couple of hundred pounds of sand in the back, and don't have problems. I have had similiar problems with backing up on relatively level roads in dirt and gravel were I would spin. All attributed to the boat anchor up front, and no weight in back. Solution, Add weight. Makes them ride better anyway.

 

Yes the Torqshift will allow you to start out in 2nd or 3rd gear.

And remember, anchor those bags of ballast in the bed

 

Thanks for the comments. Looks like the same tricks will work with these beasts and is good to hear some success stories. There has to be some benifit with these things weighing 7000 lbs even if it is nose heavy. I will probably just throw an extra bag or two of sand in the bed before I leave and enjoy the smoother ride.

FTE Rocks!

 

As far as weight in the bed goes. On my 99 F-250 super cab 7.3L I would plow with it an always had at least 700 lbs in the bed. And sometimes that wasn't enough. On my 04 F350 crew I have over 1200 lbs in it now. Only because I have sand plus a rear end in the bed. It was icy today and still could of had more in to help rear wheel spin. I do have 4x4 but I really only use it when it's needed. If you can get around in 2 wheel drive do it. I started the other post about limited slip not working and I glad to say that in the ice it works!!! Just wish it worked in the mud or wet grass.

 

Just asking... Just because it says 4x4 on the bed doesn't mean that it has LS rear differential. I know that LS is an option without FX4, but I'm pretty sure the LS is included in the FX4 package.

I was in some snow recently with my empty PSD. My limited slip rear worked fine. Fact is though, there's a lot of weight up front. More than an older big block Ford. I have friends that have been embarassed just as you have. If there's not enough weight in the rear, or limited traction, sometimes even a locker in the rear won't help. And the factory tires SUCK! Especially when we all keep our load range E tires pumped up to 60psi without a load. (Mine are the Generals and I hate them.) They are multi purpose high mileage tires designed for more road use than anything else. Just because you got embarassed, don't blame the truck. A Chevy or Dodge with the same configuration would have had the same problem. I like the Auto locking hubs though. No embarassment there. Flip the switch and off I drive. No one the wiser. I've never been a fan of auto locking hubs in the past, but so far these have impressed me. What I don't like is that they take a while to engage.

If your truck does have LS, then there could be something wrong with it. Factory LS isn't the same as an Auburn, Lockrite or Detroit Locker. By design a clutch type LS needs some amount of drive wheel revolutions in order to overcome the spring preload to engage the opposite wheel. And the torque transfered will never be 100% when compared to the drive wheel. That allows for driveability on pavement. If you expect a LS diff to perform like a clunky locker, then you're going to be very dissapointed. If that's what you're looking to get, then pull out the check book.

Sorry.

 

Yep mine says 4x4 on side of bed and when I looked at build sheet it said it was not limited slip so the 4x4 on side of bed means nothing special, I believe the old body style if is had the 4x4 on side of bed it did mean it had an off road package but not on new body or atleast since they came up with the FX4 package. I have found you have to be gentle with throttle on gravel remember you are starting a 7500 lb plus monster out it take some throttle control.....Tim

 

Does limited slip rear axles add that much to the cost of these trucks . All trucks should have this standard . IMO

 

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Toys/Wind...-SuperDuty.htm

Mine isn't a Lariett. But it's got all the "Functional" things I need in a truck. But you'd think that all that it came with, It would have come with the dogon fog lights. Must be part of the XLT "Sport" trim option. Mine's just an XLT. Goes to show you, that anything above "Standard", is an "option".

Options cost $$$$

 

I have to agree with jfralph, our new house has quite the steep driveway that is gravel. I added 300 lbs of sand over the rear axle and it climbs it in 2wd when it is just wet (been warm lately). Add some packed snow or ice and 4wd is needed.

 

nothing different getting a 2wd stuck on gravel ... done that for years ... my '78 460 F150 can't even move on gravel with anything more than a tender foot .... trucks is trucks ...