3.73 Limited Slip Diff is JUNK!
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
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3.73 Limited Slip Diff is JUNK!
So.. had some snow up here in WA this past week.. normally my truck is a freaking monster in snow or mud, etc. However, I actually got stuck and was only spinning two wheels (one front one rear). Checked the specs that the truck came with and the stickers on the driver door and it said I had a limited slip.. well.. take it into the Ford dealer to make sure.. yep, I have a limited slip.. but the tech comes out and says.."you do have the limited slip installed but it wont take anything more than 100lbs of torque from the drive line and then its an open wheel. Sorry"
WTF.. My truck has over 600 lbs of torque and I need that traction! Why does Ford make such a crappy wussy posi?
Looks like I am going to have to go buy an Eaton. Anybody of a detroit locker in theirs? I am thinking about that one but dont know if that is too much shared grip.
Anyone have an aftermarket posi in their front diff?
WTF.. My truck has over 600 lbs of torque and I need that traction! Why does Ford make such a crappy wussy posi?
Looks like I am going to have to go buy an Eaton. Anybody of a detroit locker in theirs? I am thinking about that one but dont know if that is too much shared grip.
Anyone have an aftermarket posi in their front diff?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
I'd try the old method of a fluid change and only adding a little of the Ford friction modifier at a time untill the chatter of the diff in a tight turm goes away. Ford calls for 8 oz. of the stuff but many have (myself included) gotten better "lockup" of the diff with less additive in the pumpkin.
Cheaper than a new locker, but if funds are plentifull get an arb for the rear, open when on the pavement, full lock off road with the flip of a switch. The best of both worlds.
Cheaper than a new locker, but if funds are plentifull get an arb for the rear, open when on the pavement, full lock off road with the flip of a switch. The best of both worlds.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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I had the same problem with mine. Often they setup the limited slip "soft" from the factory so the truck won't hop or bind around corners, but it sucks when you really need all 4 wheels in action. Electric locker is, IMO, the best fix.
New User
Joined: Dec 2008
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No experience, but...
... my fear with a Detroit locker would be that it might lock when you inadvertantly hammered it in traffic/dry pavement and shatter a u-joint.
Sure it would be fine in 4x4/snow/crap - but would be nervous about the u-joints if I ever punched it on pavement, esp with a load...
Sure it would be fine in 4x4/snow/crap - but would be nervous about the u-joints if I ever punched it on pavement, esp with a load...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Southern California
or if that happens again, just push the e-brake in a little to give both wheels an equal amount of drag... works most of the time... or you could put the left foot on the brake and use the right for the go-pedal... makes both tires go forward... the front is open either way... there's thread regarding this on other boards... I just know it works 
... still doesn't work better than a true "locker" but can help out in a sticky situation... another thing people don't realize is that if you turn the wheel when you start getting stuck, you'll usually get some added traction from the front as well...
Joey
... still doesn't work better than a true "locker" but can help out in a sticky situation... another thing people don't realize is that if you turn the wheel when you start getting stuck, you'll usually get some added traction from the front as well... Joey
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
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From: Central Coast of CA
To the OP, if you find yourself 100% sure buying a replacement diff, go with a Detroit True-Trac limited slip diff.
The True-Trac has no clutches to wear out and they work great!
I have one in the rear of my Lightning, replacing the stocker, when I started doing the one tire fire in the water box at the drag strip.
One wheel peel's just don't cut it when you're trying to get both tires nice and sticky, ya know?
Stewart
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Southern California
A Detroit Locker is not a limited slip diff. It's always locked.
To the OP, if you find yourself 100% sure buying a replacement diff, go with a Detroit True-Trac limited slip diff.
The True-Trac has no clutches to wear out and they work great!
I have one in the rear of my Lightning, replacing the stocker, when I started doing the one tire fire in the water box at the drag strip.
One wheel peel's just don't cut it when you're trying to get both tires nice and sticky, ya know?
Stewart
To the OP, if you find yourself 100% sure buying a replacement diff, go with a Detroit True-Trac limited slip diff.
The True-Trac has no clutches to wear out and they work great!
I have one in the rear of my Lightning, replacing the stocker, when I started doing the one tire fire in the water box at the drag strip.
One wheel peel's just don't cut it when you're trying to get both tires nice and sticky, ya know?
Stewart
Joey
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
Huh???? What are you trying to say?
Sorry bro, but your post makes my head hurt. Looks like it's time for MC Grammar.
Stewart
PS - Matt, while your post does make my head hurt trying to figure out what you're trying to convey, my post right here is meant as a good natured ribbing. All in fun.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 202
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From: Arvada, Colorado
I was up hunting elk in the Colorado mountains the last 5 days. Buried my truck past the axles in fresh snow the first night. Put chains on the front and one wheel one the back and was able to get out. I stressed the heck out of the truck this week and couldn't be happier with the rear axle. It's not a locker but worked great for me.
Posting Guru
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I have a True Trac in the rear diff of my 03 F-450 it works good in the mud and dirt but very un-nerving in the snow. When you have a 2wd the True Trac really wants to push the front wheels straight or kick the azz end of the truck sideways. The truck goes anywhere in the mud or construction sites but in the snow its been a little challenging. It is my first truck with a traction aid in the diff all my other trucks been open diff.
The True trac is a pretty tight LSD even on try roads your get locker steer without the clicking.
My brother had a older Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd short box that had I think a Auburn LSD the truck would swap ends on a wet road if you stomped on it it was a tight LSD too. No one tire fire with that truck.
Even with my F-450 on a wet road I can get the rear end of my truck fish tailing with the both duals spinning. Not bad for a 9300lb truck
The True trac is a pretty tight LSD even on try roads your get locker steer without the clicking.
My brother had a older Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd short box that had I think a Auburn LSD the truck would swap ends on a wet road if you stomped on it it was a tight LSD too. No one tire fire with that truck.
Even with my F-450 on a wet road I can get the rear end of my truck fish tailing with the both duals spinning. Not bad for a 9300lb truck
