I can't seem to get an EL (and maybe even the short ones) with one. Is the RSC suppose to handle the duties of the Limited Slip?

 

No limited slip on ANY Expedition (and maybe not the Explorers either) since Advance Track RSC became standard in 2007 (?).

There may be a special option number, but I don't see it listed. Nor have I missed it.

-- Chuck

 

Well, I sure do. Having to use 4WD to get out of my driveway with just 2-3 inches of snow on the ground is no fun. And, that's with studded Firestone Winterforce tires on there.
My '03 Exp'y with limited slip and the same tires worked much better.

 

I would have preferred a limited slip also. Some have said the brake traction control works better or will transfer more torque than limited slip, but in the experiences I've had with my EL, I'd have to disagree.

Like many people, after I got the truck I had to "play" in various conditions to see how it handled/performed and one of the things I did was drive my drivers side tires up onto a pile of plowed crusty snow in a parking lot (keeping the two others on dry pavement). I pushed the button one time so I just had the brakes, and while I could hear the brake on the spinning back wheel grabbing and releasing, it didnt do anything to the truck other than move it about 1-2" forward only to have it roll/slide back to the original positon when it would release. If I'd only been in a 4x2 I would have been stuck. I hit the button again (to activate all of the Advance Trac features) and it still wouldnt move the truck forward.

I also tried reverse and as far as I could tell there was never any activation of the traction control -- I could never feel or hear the brake try to grab on the spinning wheel. Does anybody know if the system does (or is supposed to) work in reverse?

Limited slips I've had in the past always worked better than that.

 

Limtied slips transfer the power(mechanically) from the spinning axel to the one that is not. The RSC has no way to do this-brakes don't link axels.. It just applies the brake to the spinning wheel and hopes some of the torque will transfer. I have already asked why some folks believe that the RCS is better than a Limited slip/posi traction and I got interesting answers so I have left this alone. I am just as disappointed with not have a posi in the rear or at least the option of one. I would have been VERY happy with a selectable air locker like ARBs but....Ford did what they felt would work the best in all situations...too bad for some of us.

 

The LS unit on my 03 Expy was marginal at best requiring the entire rear end internals to be replaced three times. Still, I have always preferred a mechanical locking device even if it is Ford inferior clutch based LS. Too bad is isn't available.

 

GMs gov-lock system tends to die at about 75-85k but if you open the diff and check the pins and push them back in you will have no issues. I really would like them to offer a mechanical option to us. Well I guess we wait for the aftermarket to help us out....not in the wallet but with our need for traction.

 

My G80 locker in my Avalanche is still working great after 75K miles. Wish Ford would use the same type of set-up.

 

Holy Mackerel!! How many miles were on it? My '03 went back in May '07 (end of lease) with 74K on it, and I never had a problem.

Were you climbing those volcanoes with it over there or something?

 

I sold it with 47K...well traded it in for another Excursion... I don;t know, maybe it was an early build or something. And actually the LS unit was replaced twice and the R&P three times. I think it was probably more the dealer's mechanics than anything else. The rear-end had a constant whine on deceleration and the LS unit was always chattering on turns. No amount of modifier helped although I let the dealer do all the work under warranty.