2018 STX 4x4 3.55 Open rear diff to ELD?
11-29-2018, 08:47 AM
#11
Senior Member
The traction control in these trucks do a pretty good job even for open rear diffs. When the rear drive wheel spins, the TC brakes that wheel slightly which spins the other wheel. Even though it is open, it still acts as if it is a LSD. If I were you, before you drop some serious coin on getting a new rear differential, drive it around for some time and see how you like it first. Most people who have a electronic locking diff do not use it much and it really isn't great for snow as you are not supposed to turn with it on since it'll just fish tail bad in ice/snow. Oh, and those that have the ELD, when it isn't engaged, it is essentially an open diff and will act the same as the open rear diffs and TC.
11-29-2018, 09:08 PM
#12
Senior Member
I would check the window sticker first even if it'd take a couple days to get it. Then if it would say I had an e-locker I'd run to the truck and try and pull that sucker out....
11-29-2018, 10:26 PM
#13
Senior Member
Outside of mudding, rock crawling, and wet clay, it takes a special snowflake to get into situations that require locking a differential. On snow, I don't ever get into traction control without intentionally going heavy on the throttle. This is with three season street tires.
I'd suggest giving your 4x4 some time. I this is your first, take time to become familiar with it, use it, test it, find out what it can do. It will handle a lot more than most believe if you take the time to become experienced with it. This time next year, if you still feel you need a locker or LSD, then it will be worth the cost.
11-29-2018, 11:07 PM
#14
Senior Member
Agreed with Flamingtaco and others!
Take you time to gain confidence with your truck. believe me it is a very capable unit.
I didn't have e-lock on my previous truck and though I feared getting stuck and so on, I too was assured by others on similar threads and tested the system until I realized I would be safe for all the crap I'd put myself into.Always loved the truck's behavior.
On this new one It came with the package I ordered, but honestly... I tried it once just to make sure it was operational. Once I need 4H I just turn off traction control and I'm good. I don't foresee ever needing the e-locker, unless I buy a boat and use a slippery boat ramp, where I was told it works great, but others said 4L is absolutely enough.
If you like to rock crawl, then there's options like the Eaton Truetrac, which was confirmed by another member as working wonders on his truck.
Just watch this video. It inspired me back then:
Take you time to gain confidence with your truck. believe me it is a very capable unit.
I didn't have e-lock on my previous truck and though I feared getting stuck and so on, I too was assured by others on similar threads and tested the system until I realized I would be safe for all the crap I'd put myself into.Always loved the truck's behavior.
On this new one It came with the package I ordered, but honestly... I tried it once just to make sure it was operational. Once I need 4H I just turn off traction control and I'm good. I don't foresee ever needing the e-locker, unless I buy a boat and use a slippery boat ramp, where I was told it works great, but others said 4L is absolutely enough.
If you like to rock crawl, then there's options like the Eaton Truetrac, which was confirmed by another member as working wonders on his truck.
Just watch this video. It inspired me back then:
11-29-2018, 11:07 PM
#15
I agree, and I just installed a trutrac on my truck. But only because my last truck had the ELD and I was already re gearing, so as long as it was opened I threw it in. I like it, but no way I would have done it if I wasn’t already opening up the diff. Street manners are great so far though!
11-30-2018, 01:50 AM
#16
Agreed with Flamingtaco and others!
Take you time to gain confidence with your truck. believe me it is a very capable unit.
I didn't have e-lock on my previous truck and though I feared getting stuck and so on, I too was assured by others on similar threads and tested the system until I realized I would be safe for all the crap I'd put myself into.Always loved the truck's behavior.
On this new one It came with the package I ordered, but honestly... I tried it once just to make sure it was operational. Once I need 4H I just turn off traction control and I'm good. I don't foresee ever needing the e-locker, unless I buy a boat and use a slippery boat ramp, where I was told it works great, but others said 4L is absolutely enough.
If you like to rock crawl, then there's options like the Eaton Truetrac, which was confirmed by another member as working wonders on his truck.
Just watch this video. It inspired me back then:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdd7...&t=0s&index=13
Take you time to gain confidence with your truck. believe me it is a very capable unit.
I didn't have e-lock on my previous truck and though I feared getting stuck and so on, I too was assured by others on similar threads and tested the system until I realized I would be safe for all the crap I'd put myself into.Always loved the truck's behavior.
On this new one It came with the package I ordered, but honestly... I tried it once just to make sure it was operational. Once I need 4H I just turn off traction control and I'm good. I don't foresee ever needing the e-locker, unless I buy a boat and use a slippery boat ramp, where I was told it works great, but others said 4L is absolutely enough.
If you like to rock crawl, then there's options like the Eaton Truetrac, which was confirmed by another member as working wonders on his truck.
Just watch this video. It inspired me back then:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdd7...&t=0s&index=13
11-30-2018, 09:36 AM
#17
Senior Member
I agree, and I just installed a trutrac on my truck. But only because my last truck had the ELD and I was already re gearing, so as long as it was opened I threw it in. I like it, but no way I would have done it if I wasn’t already opening up the diff. Street manners are great so far though!
04-27-2019, 01:32 PM
#18
Junior Member
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Hello! I recently purchased a 2018 STX 4x4 with a 3.55 rear end that is open and my question is would it be possible to "turn it into" an electronic locking differential?
To be completely honest I didn't know what the heck an open or locking differential was when I bought the truck. I just knew that in the snow I'd want 4x4, especially if I got stuck. And then today I went down an "F150 forum rabbit hole" looking into the new F150 shocks (or something) and came out realizing that I have an open differential with my 4X4.. lol..so I don't have true 4x4 and most trucks with 4x4 have electronic locking differentials.
Anyways, I love the truck (its my first F150) and I'm super happy with my purchase! Just thinking down the road for the one or two times I may get stuck and 4x4 doesn't cut it.
To be completely honest I didn't know what the heck an open or locking differential was when I bought the truck. I just knew that in the snow I'd want 4x4, especially if I got stuck. And then today I went down an "F150 forum rabbit hole" looking into the new F150 shocks (or something) and came out realizing that I have an open differential with my 4X4.. lol..so I don't have true 4x4 and most trucks with 4x4 have electronic locking differentials.
Anyways, I love the truck (its my first F150) and I'm super happy with my purchase! Just thinking down the road for the one or two times I may get stuck and 4x4 doesn't cut it.
