Open differential versus Limited Slip differential
 

Well, I am going through a rear end and first I thought about the ratio. I got that all figured out and decided that it would be best to stick with the 3.55s. Now that that is settled, I am now trying to decide between a Ford Racing Traction Lok Limited Slip carrier or a open carrier like it had originally. The difference in cost is about 100 dollars and I can easily afford either option, but my question is would the limited slip be the way to go or not. Thoughts?

Keep in mind that this rig is used for hauling fairly light loads (a couple hundred lbs)...sometimes short distance and sometimes long distance, and never leaves the road.

What are the pros and cons to limited slip??

Limited-slip is mostly useful (IMO) for when you are OFF the road. The limited slip will engage when your rear wheels start to slip. Normally when you lose traction only 1 wheel is going to spin on an open differential, whereas the limited slip will lock the wheels together and cause them both to spin, giving more traction.

If you never take the truck off the road or through the snow then I can't see a real reason to spend the extra money. Just my .02

-Chris

If the open diff has served you well till now, there's no need to change. The LS will also help in rainy conditions. Like accelerating from a stop.
I just rebuilt my clutch pack and don't see much off road, if any, and I appreciate that it's there if I need it.
Have you checked out any othe other lockers, like Eaton. Not sure of their performance, but work better than the stock unit and are pretty resonable on price.

where do you live? any foul weather (snow) and you'll like the LS. there is no real down side as far as i can tell. You may want a friction modifier in the back, my expedition requires it.

Limited slip doesn't actually "lock" the wheels together--it uses a clutch pack that's activated by various means (usually something centrifugal) so that when one tire starts spinning faster than the other, the clutches engage and transfer power to the slower (or stopped) tire. If you never leave the road, you'll probably wear out the clutches before you ever really need it. A "locker" will either automatically or manually hard-lock the two half-axles together so that both tires spin the same no matter the conditions.

Jason

I have an open diff out of an 88, which the tag said LS. *confused about it still*

Anyways, the open diff is a real pain going around corners. Fords LS axle was really decent in the 8.8's.

LS is good all around in my opinion.
I'd go for it. It might serve you well later on.

Dont forget that friction modifier either!!! And soak the clutch plates in modifier before you install them if its not pre assembled.

Limited slip is great for snow covered roads. I am able to get up my snowcovered driveway from the dead stop ,going uphill, in just two wheel drive because of the TracLok. And I cant get up the same drive (uphill) in my daughters Focus with traction control and front wheel drive.

The limited slip doesnt work when offroad if one of the rear wheels leaves the ground--as occurs frequently offroad .