Limited Slip
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
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Limited Slip
I curently have a 06 KR 4X4, 18,000 miles on it with 373 gears and Limited slip. The other day I lost control going down a hill with a turn that had ice on it. I was able to get control and just missed hitting a pole. My truck before the KR was a 01 SC 4X4 without limited slip that gave me better traction in 4X4. I've been going up and down this same hill for many years and under worse conditions. My question is - the Limited slip differential I'm told is better for traction and I shouldn't have had the problem. Is this true? I think it's the lousy 20 inch Pirelle tires that are on the truck. Would like to put better tires on. Any thoughts?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 110
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From: Cincinnati (Clifton)
I have LS on my 2006 F-150. This may not be a great example, but the traction I get in snow/icy conditions is much better than I got in my old truck, an '88 F-150, which had no traction anything.
I think LS does make a substantial difference, although my example may be extreme.
PC
I think LS does make a substantial difference, although my example may be extreme.
PC
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,195
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From: Sunapee NH
Before spending money on new rubber. I'd put a couple hundred pounds of sand in the bed of your truck. Home Depot and Lowes sell tube sand which makes it really easy to add weight, but remove it when you need to use the full bed.
FWIW, I've never found factory tires to offer much grip in the snow. And your Pirelli's aren't too good, from all the negative comments I've read here and on other Ford truck sites. So, you'll probably want to replace them at some point, but sand offers a quick and easy fix.
Good luck finding the right combination of sand/tires for dealing with winter driving.
FWIW, I've never found factory tires to offer much grip in the snow. And your Pirelli's aren't too good, from all the negative comments I've read here and on other Ford truck sites. So, you'll probably want to replace them at some point, but sand offers a quick and easy fix.
Good luck finding the right combination of sand/tires for dealing with winter driving.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
theres a reason I took my 20"s off for the winter. I got some new take offs and put some Blizzaks on. Night and day difference. Control, acceleration and braking are 1000 times better. Not to mention how expensive it would be if you slid 2 of those KR wheels into the curb.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 18
The LS rear had nothing to do with braking performance going downhill with your foot off the gas and on the brake. What you need is ABS. If you already have that you can blame the tires, as you already suggested. LS rears can induce a tail-happy condition when you're on the gas because both wheels spin. Still it's a good thing to have. A RWD truck with LS rear and some weight in the bed can go most anywhere a 4WD can on-road.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I have an 06 F150 Lariat with 3:73's. I just went through my first snow ice drive with it last week. I spent most of my life in cold snow ice areas. Drove everthing from two wheel drive rear drive, to two wheel drive front drive, and many four wheel drives. Oh, I have 285/75/18 Silent Armour on my truck
This big F150 does good on ice, but in my opinion, this truck is heavy, and even in 4X4, if you mess up just that much, and it gets headed for the ditch, that is where you will be. Hell ya, this truck will buck 18" of snow, but on ice I would take her easy. And easy is just slowing down to 40 or so. Hell, why kill yourself?
Or you could do like I used to to in Idaho in the winter. I put studded tires on all fours. Studs will grip on ice better. But ya still cannot drive 70 mph on ice!
Heh, I can just see ya all putting studs in your brand new BFG's that ya spent 1500 bucks on! Heh Heh hehehe.
This big F150 does good on ice, but in my opinion, this truck is heavy, and even in 4X4, if you mess up just that much, and it gets headed for the ditch, that is where you will be. Hell ya, this truck will buck 18" of snow, but on ice I would take her easy. And easy is just slowing down to 40 or so. Hell, why kill yourself?
Or you could do like I used to to in Idaho in the winter. I put studded tires on all fours. Studs will grip on ice better. But ya still cannot drive 70 mph on ice!
Heh, I can just see ya all putting studs in your brand new BFG's that ya spent 1500 bucks on! Heh Heh hehehe.
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Freshman User
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I do think it is the tires. Putting sand in the back may help. What I really want is to change the tires. Any suggestions?
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New User
Joined: May 2008
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BF Goodrich has great tires, Father in law has a pair on his Chevry 2500 HD and goes through no road conditions (like off the beaten path in the woods in january with 1' of snow) and has no problems, however chevy has the eaton locker (which I would wrather have) than a clutch LS but im a ford guy so I'll make due, unless someone makes one for the ford.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 79
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From: Southside of Chicago
Eaton makes lockers and posi's for all types of different rear ends and they all have different degrees of aggresivness. The Eaton Posi part number for the Ford 9.75 diff is 19627-010, its a great unit. Auburn also makes one, 542090. It all just depends on how aggressive you want to go, and more importantly, how much you want to spend.
All that being said, they have nothing to do with being able to steer on ice, all that any locker/posi will do is keep power going to both rear wheels.
All that being said, they have nothing to do with being able to steer on ice, all that any locker/posi will do is keep power going to both rear wheels.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
This may be slightly off thread. I have a 3.73 LS 4x4 that i took thru a mud drift about a foot deep and when I tried to turn the truck just went straight ahead. Is that the the LS or the fact these front differentials don't compensate for the inside - outside tire rpms. (I know there is a term for this but can't remember!) 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
I know most prefer the LS over the open, but I am actually quite pleased with my open diffs. I've gone through a lot of snow and mud and its never left me stranded, not that I have been in mud over my bumper or anything (but I have been in snow that when I busted through a frozen mud hole went over my hood - and was able to back out no prob). Take a look at the link in my sig to the video clip of my '99, like I said its not deep mud, and I have 285's, but my budy with a super duty with 265's and LS (stock tires) couldnt get through it with LS. I could stop in the middle and restart without barely spinning the tires even. The only reason i was even throwing mud is that I was trying to hammer down a little for the video. I think its mainly the big weight difference of the trucks, just makes me worried since I am looking into getting a SD but man his doesnt go places like my 150 can.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
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From: MA
Ice is a LS worst nightmare. Open diffs will work much better on icy surfaces (since the other wheel will not be mechanically forced to break traction). A LS is better in pretty much every other scenario IMO.