I just found out today what I had for a rear end 373 gears with a limited slip diff. Can someone explain exactly how it works (the limited slip) does it apply more power to the wheel thats slipping? And the pros and cons of the 373 gears. Thank You

f250 crew v10

 

man....ok, fire the flamethrowers and get ready...

I'd rather have an open diff than a limited slip. In THEORY yes, one wheel will transfer power to the non-slipping wheel through a series of clutch plates, but in my experience it works best on wet roads, and doesn't do squat in the snow except shudder like you need a friction modifier. Aligned perfectly, (when Pluto is aligned with Venus on the 16th day of the 12th month) with equal weight it will spin both tires. My 2WD work vans do batter in the snow with an open diff than my last one with a 3.73 limited slip. If you have a wheel in the air, it will spin like crazy while you burn up the plates in the rear end trying to get out of whatever you're in.

Flame away...

 

It depends on the engine and what you do with your truck. The 3.73 is a decent highway gear and occasional towing, but for heavier towing most owners like 4.30 gears or higher.

An open differential applies power evenly to each wheel when straight but applies more power to the wheel spinning faster when there is a difference in wheel speed, like going around a corner. This is fine except in mud or snow, where the tire that has the least traction will spin faster. Limited slip is the factory option that utilizes clutches in the differential that try to shift some power away from the wheel spinning faster to the wheel spinning slower.

 

Please explain how an open diff ever applys power to both wheels?

 

My work vans will not spin both tires...Only one. (Open diffs) edited 4 times...

 

so are you saying my truck is as good as a two wheel drive truck

 

One trick with an open diff is to apply the parking brake which will put more load on the spinning wheel and even out the torque to both wheels. I got stuck in about 6 inches of mud in my old VW that had almost bald tires on it. I pulled the emergency brake and I got out of that mud. You have to modulate it to get the best traction but it does work.

Perry

 

Yes, which is better than one-wheel drive.

 

Try this:

HowStuffWorks "How Differentials Work"

An open differential applies power evenly to both wheels IF both wheels are spinning at the same speed.

 

I owned the v10 SD and 373 in two trucks for about 11 years. My Mom had the v10 with 430 and it was a gas HOG!!!!!!!!!! My 373 would pul her trailer just as well. Unless you're pulling the absolute maximum weight all the time in very hilly or mountainous areas I would run very fast from a 430.

Have used them both and I ordered them custom, 373 for me and my brother, and now my Mom is a believer too.

 

With the Ford Traction-Lok, there is a way to get it to lockup SOME if you use a little trick.

Apply the parking brakes. As you keep your foot on the brake, apply the go-pedal slightly and start bring up engine power. This will force the spider gears outward, and apply pressure to the clutches.

After you get the engine RPMs up a bit, start to let off the brake slightly. You can usually get the Traction-Lok to lockup quite a bit doing this. Don't let the wheels spin too much with the parking brake on, you don't want to smoke it.



On re-read: Aw crap, Perry already beat me to it

Oh, and anyone who thinks an open-diff rear (or even the Traction-Lok) on a 4x4 gives you the equivalent of a 2-wheel-drive truck doesn't know how to use 4-wheel-drive and not get stuck in the first place

With the Traction-Lok, the TIRES have a lot to do with it too. You need SOME traction to get some lock-up.