Hey all, I am currently considering a F150 SCREW 04-06. I just happened to be at the dealer yesterday and I was asking him about a trak lok option for the rear end. He fed me some stuff about the 373 limited slip and how its better and all this other BS. I know how in theory the limited slip is supposed to work but I know for a fact how it works when you get in a mud hole or off the road or anything where one wheel gets stuck! It ends up that the wheel that is stuck is STUCK and the wheel that is free keeps spinning! I HATE IT! The dealer tried to tell me that with the FX4 you can turn off the traction control and this will remedy that. I guess my questions are 1= is there a traction control option on the FX4's or any SCREW from 04-06? 2=Is there an option to get a trak loc or posi trak rear end for the F1-fittys? And then for ***** and giggles, how are your Fords doing off road with the limited Grip (Slip hehehe)

Thanks in advance

 

Your talking about locking the rear diff, correct? I'm not sure ford offers that on the f150. I have had to have the clutches replaced on my 04 Scab 373 limited slip because they were hanging up, too tight from the factory.

 

I have also had the rear clutches replaced due to sticking. There is also NO TRACTION control in the FX4 2006 SCREW that I got unless they are referring to 4WD where you can engage or disengage but I have always looked at traction control as separate and more in the car division.

 

I had a 2000 F150 with the H9 axles, not sure of the ratio, but limited slip anyway. I hunt, the truck goes out in ice and snow, mud, streams, tilled farms etc. The truck was a tank, it would go wherever I wanted it to. It pulled me out of situations that I questioned its ability before. It pulled a 2005 Explorer out of a ditch. The road was snow and ice, he got too close and slid off. I thought the guy was ready to be pulled out. I thought my friend gave the go ahead signal. I yanked him back onto the road...the Explorer was still in park. I now have the 2006 FX4 with the 3.73LS,l and I don't plan on doing anything more with this truck than I did with the old one. I have a CJ-7 for the real off road crap. If you you want to do the real off road stuff, go out and have ARB's installed. At least one in the rear. This truck will get you around just fine.

 

Thanks for the quick response but now Ford and Wedge have brought on a new question/concern. How do you tell if your rear clutches are sticking? Is it something that you would definintely know is wrong? Or do you have to have a tuned ear for it? Thanks

 

You will know right away. Whenever you make a sharp turn (Like into a parking spot) the rear end rattles extremely bad. To Ford's defense I was pulling a large piece of equipment out of a ditch when they went out. When I say large I mean a Bobcat that weighed 10000# and was buried. I did manage to pull it out but blew out the clutches doing so. As soon as I unhooked the chains and made a turn onto the main road I felt the vibration and knew immediately that I screwed up but I have some great pictures and Ford fixed under warranty.

 

I prefer them a little tight. On the 2000, making a turn from a stop sign, the inside rear tire would scrub the pavement. My father in laws 2001 was so loose, I thought the diff was going to grenade at any time. Ok, so there is a little more tire wear associated with this, but its really no big deal.

 

Back to the original quesiton, a posi and limited slip are the same thing. It is a clutch type rear end. Posi was a gm brand name. If you want to add a locker, its easier to start with an open. You can just pop some brands where the spiders were.

I dont think that there is a factory option for a true track, detroit locker or lock right. If its that important to you, the aftermarket is the way to go. If you want to do serious off roading, then you need a locker in the front at least. These trucks are a little big for serious trail riding, but determined people can accomplish uncommon things.

 

Wedge88, you have to post them pics in your gallery!! Would be great to see the Ford hard at work

 

I will get them up today. NOTE: that I do not have the 03' F150 FX4 that I will be posting anymore. I just sold it for a new 06' SCREW FX4 that I will also add to gallery after I get the Autopring 2" leveling kit put on this weekend.

 

Some of the pics are up. I have some more at home but wanted to some up there.

 

The 04 does not have traction control

 

If that happens, then your LSD (limited slip diff) isn't working correctly. On a proper LSD, once one wheel spins freely, the other should grip. The clutches are preset to engage at certain torque rates, which keeps the rear end from locking up and "chirping" while turning in parking lots, etc.

The situation you describe should only happen on an open differential, where the torque is transfered along the powertrain path with least resistance.