You will find a ton of information coming your way soon from the guru's here at FTE who love to play in the mud.
True locker
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Factory LS, as it states is very limited. You can pick one up from your dealer around $260, and looking about $75-125 to get it installed, and its super easy.
Detroit has a soft locker which most people run. But like most lockers, you will have to get used to driving with a locked rear end, which isn't hard. Most say the Detroit has very good road manners and is impressivley quiet. I think they run around $600. This would be my first choice next to Auburn if I was going to install a locker.
Auburn has a bad *** limited slip, but cost around $700.
Also there is Powertrax which has two lockers, that are supposed to disengage around sharp turns. One is supposed to be noise less when it disengages. I think they are $250-350 for the two.
ARB has an air actuated locker, so you can lock up the rear end just when you need too. I don't like the idea of have to have an air supply and or the possibility of an air line failing. With everything you need you will spend more than $1000 on the set-up.
Detroit has a soft locker which most people run. But like most lockers, you will have to get used to driving with a locked rear end, which isn't hard. Most say the Detroit has very good road manners and is impressivley quiet. I think they run around $600. This would be my first choice next to Auburn if I was going to install a locker.
Auburn has a bad *** limited slip, but cost around $700.
Also there is Powertrax which has two lockers, that are supposed to disengage around sharp turns. One is supposed to be noise less when it disengages. I think they are $250-350 for the two.
ARB has an air actuated locker, so you can lock up the rear end just when you need too. I don't like the idea of have to have an air supply and or the possibility of an air line failing. With everything you need you will spend more than $1000 on the set-up.
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3
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I jusr replaced my 2005 F-250 with 4.30 gears, replaced the bearings/races, and put a ARB locker in the front and the rear. I spent lots of time researching the Ford "mechanical" locker, and decised against it. Ford provides the limited slip technology to keep your truck going straight down the road whne you hit ice or wet, with a mechnaical locker it will get out of control.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 1
I've been looking for something for my 2004 Excursion. The Powertrac was never made for the Sterling 10.5 rear even though the catalog lists a number. I just got a Detroit Tru Trac having been told the Ford LS unit is junk. Cost me about $520 with free ship and bearings, just need the time to install it.
Question for you guys that have changed rears, the factory service manual says to NOT reuse the anti lock brake ring if removed, to get a new one. Any coment? I bet most people don't follow this and reinstall the old one. Is it necessary or does Ford need to sell more parts?
Question for you guys that have changed rears, the factory service manual says to NOT reuse the anti lock brake ring if removed, to get a new one. Any coment? I bet most people don't follow this and reinstall the old one. Is it necessary or does Ford need to sell more parts?
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3
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Guys - The LS (Limited Slip) is a great technology, and used in the right application, it works great. LS is used to provide power to the wheel that is slipping. In rain and ice this works to help guide the car through the slip. The LS is not made or designed to be used in off raod situations where you would need a posi setup. The best setup for both LS and posi is a locking diff. locked when you need it, like off-road, and un-locked for around the town.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
It maybe great technology but the one Ford uses is no good. I have a TrueTrac now and get 2 wheel marks in the dirt and mud instead of one.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 910
Likes: 8
From: West-Central New York
I think choclab was implying that the limited slip is NOT a severe duty locker. It is a general use traction device.
I like the LS, and it works just fine for what it was specifically designed to do (see choclab's post). I would not trust it in serious mud or 3 feet of snow, but then again, my truck would submarine itself and NO amount of locker would help in the deep gooey stuff.
I like the LS, and it works just fine for what it was specifically designed to do (see choclab's post). I would not trust it in serious mud or 3 feet of snow, but then again, my truck would submarine itself and NO amount of locker would help in the deep gooey stuff.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 6
From: Western New York
This was all discussed in the thread I posted above. The factory LS is not junk if setup properly. Most people, including Ford put too much friction modifier in and therefore it does not work properly. Mine was one of the few that was setup correctly from the factory and worked great in all conditions including snow.
Yes a LS was not intended for true off road use, but can be used off road and can be very effective. Yes a true locker will out perform a LS off road, but I wouldn't just dump your stock LS without changing the amount of friction modifier in it first.
Yes a LS was not intended for true off road use, but can be used off road and can be very effective. Yes a true locker will out perform a LS off road, but I wouldn't just dump your stock LS without changing the amount of friction modifier in it first.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I've had the detroit for 3 years now. To be honest I hardly know its in there, even with 6000 lbs of sand in the rear. I would do it again for sure and I would put one in the front if they made it for the D50.
Dick
Dick
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: Troy,NY
Originally Posted by Ronin007
This was all discussed in the thread I posted above. The factory LS is not junk if setup properly. Most people, including Ford put too much friction modifier in and therefore it does not work properly. Mine was one of the few that was setup correctly from the factory and worked great in all conditions including snow.
Yes a LS was not intended for true off road use, but can be used off road and can be very effective. Yes a true locker will out perform a LS off road, but I wouldn't just dump your stock LS without changing the amount of friction modifier in it first.
Yes a LS was not intended for true off road use, but can be used off road and can be very effective. Yes a true locker will out perform a LS off road, but I wouldn't just dump your stock LS without changing the amount of friction modifier in it first.
I should have known it would be a fellow NY'er. You guys might want to try it. It does work.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: Bristol, CT
Originally Posted by chocLablimo
Guys - The LS (Limited Slip) is a great technology, and used in the right application, it works great. LS is used to provide power to the wheel that is slipping. In rain and ice this works to help guide the car through the slip. The LS is not made or designed to be used in off raod situations where you would need a posi setup. The best setup for both LS and posi is a locking diff. locked when you need it, like off-road, and un-locked for around the town.
I Agree, I'm Very Happy with my LS Diff. Had my truck out in the snow last night (1" and very slick) and only engaged the 4X4 once: and that was because i stoped on a steep incline to pick up a friend and couldn't keep the traction in the rear. The Ford LS Does just what it was made to do.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 6
From: Western New York
Originally Posted by 99f350sd
Put 1 tire on snow or ice and the other on pave you won't go anywhere.
Last edited by Ronin007; Jan 19, 2007 at 12:43 PM.