Ford rear end vs. Chevrolet (G.M.) rear end
#16
04-18-2005, 07:52 AM
Originally Posted by Fordlover55
Well, MHO is that since Ford went to the rear take out, GM style rear differentials and got rid of the 9" drop out style, that was the largest mistake they have ever done in the differential department. The 9" was nearly bulletproof and even the Chevy drivers preferred them in racing applications over their own brand. The new model rear ends are to GM styled for me, to consider them as being a good design.
As for lockers, I think that for your average daily use, which a huge majority of us are, limited slip is more than enough to get you where you need to go. It would be cool if Ford were to put a sort of electrical or air-locker on demand for both front and rear of the 4x4 models. It's definately a factoid that if all 4 wheels are pulling equally, when needed, it's gotta be best.
As for limited slip ... I haven't had any real issues with them either. I do NOT like them on hill sides, because it always seems the wheel with the least resistance .. the uphill side, is the one that will start spinning. Therefore... the air locker front and rear would be perfect.
As for lockers, I think that for your average daily use, which a huge majority of us are, limited slip is more than enough to get you where you need to go. It would be cool if Ford were to put a sort of electrical or air-locker on demand for both front and rear of the 4x4 models. It's definately a factoid that if all 4 wheels are pulling equally, when needed, it's gotta be best.
As for limited slip ... I haven't had any real issues with them either. I do NOT like them on hill sides, because it always seems the wheel with the least resistance .. the uphill side, is the one that will start spinning. Therefore... the air locker front and rear would be perfect.
#17
04-18-2005, 08:45 AM
Ahh yes the good ol 14 bolt, but don't forget the Ford 10.25 rear axle! I upgraded the open 8.8 rear in my 84 F150 4x4 with a Power Trax No-Slip locker. It's a little rough on the pavement, but it doesn't bother me. I find myself hardly ever needing 4wd when driving in snow and moderate off roading. In the nasty stuff it works great when I have it locked in 4wd, the only way I get stuck is to bottom out on the axles. I recently upgraded to 33 inch mudders...as a result the stock 3.08 gears are being swapped out for 4.10s. In order to do this swap, I need to change the carrier in the front diff. Instead of putting an open carrier back in, I ordered a Dana/Spicer Trak Lok limited slip ( highly recommended for front applications) from Bronco Graveyard. I think with this set up I should be able to take on just about anything...within reason.
#18
04-18-2005, 11:51 AM
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Ford 10.25 has same axle diameters as the Dana 70. and the bid 14 bolt chevy. I've used Ford LSD since '68 and have been in places that most people wouldn't take a 2 horse wagon and got out. If set up properly the LSD works great. if you need serious pulling go with detroit locker and leave the air lockers along.
#20
04-18-2005, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 2000BLK54
Never had a problem with any Ford LSD. 8.8's withstood years of abuse and the 9.75" Sterlings used in the 5.4 1/2 tons are plenty tough.
#21
04-19-2005, 12:14 AM
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2X4's...do we make those? 
A Ford LS will lock both wheels if you remember to tap the brakes when one wheel lets go. As mentioned, though, for serious off-roading there are better (more expensive) akternatives.
re: Locking front differentials. Ain't gonna happen from the factory. They used to be offered a few decades ago, but are notoriously unstable on glare ice. Actually, in hilly snow country, you could debate whether a locking diff is actually a benefit- too easy to go sideways when negotiating a slope laterally with what is effectively 3-wheel drive (two rears, one front).
A Ford LS will lock both wheels if you remember to tap the brakes when one wheel lets go. As mentioned, though, for serious off-roading there are better (more expensive) akternatives.
re: Locking front differentials. Ain't gonna happen from the factory. They used to be offered a few decades ago, but are notoriously unstable on glare ice. Actually, in hilly snow country, you could debate whether a locking diff is actually a benefit- too easy to go sideways when negotiating a slope laterally with what is effectively 3-wheel drive (two rears, one front).
#22
04-19-2005, 01:05 AM
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#23
04-19-2005, 02:21 AM
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The 14 bolt corp is about all GM has worth a spit.
I have a pile of junk 8.5 inch GM diffs behind the shop. They may be the second sorriest diff ever put in a truck. The first being the 7.5 IFS GM when they cut lose you dont even have housing to put new parts in. But hey they keep my family fed.
Pat
I have a pile of junk 8.5 inch GM diffs behind the shop. They may be the second sorriest diff ever put in a truck. The first being the 7.5 IFS GM when they cut lose you dont even have housing to put new parts in. But hey they keep my family fed.
Pat
#24
04-19-2005, 05:06 AM
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2x4's are very popular in fleet use.
The price point and maintenance costs of a 4x4 are too high.
Fuel mileage is better with a 4x2
If you can find a 4x2 chances are it has not been beaten on by the owner or his son. People who own 4x2's don't do things that they should not do. Ex. get hung up on rocks, go places they should not go.
As long as you have a load in your truck you will do fine in the snow.
Remember it was not too long ago that we all drove rear wheel drive cars!
The price point and maintenance costs of a 4x4 are too high.
Fuel mileage is better with a 4x2
If you can find a 4x2 chances are it has not been beaten on by the owner or his son. People who own 4x2's don't do things that they should not do. Ex. get hung up on rocks, go places they should not go.
As long as you have a load in your truck you will do fine in the snow.
Remember it was not too long ago that we all drove rear wheel drive cars!
#25
04-19-2005, 09:10 AM
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#26
04-19-2005, 01:22 PM
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#27
04-19-2005, 02:00 PM
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Yep- the bowtie crowd offers an AWD Express Van, and it's been pretty popular with the plumber/electrician/contractor group out here. I'm still amazed at how many 2WD's you see in the Mid-West/East Coast, where they really have winter. Out here, where we've barely seen a snowflake this year down in the Valleys (typical winter, in other words), a 2WD Pickup/SUV is almost unheard of.
#28
04-20-2005, 01:03 AM
My buddies LSD '95 Ford works like a charm. Mud, snow, ice, both tires always a spinnin. Unless trying to do a burnout on pavement, its a gamble sumtimes. It's a 4x2, and to say he doesnt take it where 4x4's should only be, would be wrong. We gone through mud pits, huge snowbanks and even hill climbing with it. It makes it almost 2/3 of what my other buddies bronco with an open dif. with 4 wheel drive will do. The '96 Powerstroke always has both tires going. The '05 F-150 doesnt even feel like an LS, goin around corners with that thing and I can feel both of 'em grippin. I know both of them spin doin pavement drifts at full throttle too (the marks dont lie). Up here, we get a large annual snowfall, so I wander to myself everytime I see a 2-wheel truck-Why?
(the marks dont lie). Up here, we get a large annual snowfall, so I wander to myself everytime I see a 2-wheel truck-Why?
#29
04-20-2005, 08:40 AM
I've gotten both wheels to spin plenty of times, but i've never heard anything bad about ford or chevy rear ends. I've heard plenty of trash about chrysler's rear ends my mom has a 97 jeep grand cherokee now that's one noisy pos it's hard to hear what people are saying with that grinding noise and it only has 92,000 miles on it!!!!
#30
04-23-2005, 03:12 PM
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My 2WD truck has gone in places I should not have been, its amazing what you can do with a manual tranny and a skilled driver, most of it is skill. Idots with 4WD get stuck all the time, I pulled a 4WD subruan out of the ditch in 4" of snow with my 2WD 66, I did have chains on which helped a lot.