Does everyone really need an e-locker?
Iowa Farm Boy
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 84
From: North Iowa
Well if you live down south, never leave pavement, and don't like to "open her up" then no it's not necessary. Personally I wouldn't go without one. I live up north and travel Offroad occasionally and for me it's a hazard not to have either limited slip or a locker.
F150 Vendor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 318
Likes: 81
From: Fort Collins, CO
Never had a locker in a truck before this one but in the month I've had the truck I've already used it twice to pull a 7000lb forklift out of the snow where the 4 low wasn't cutting it. Definitely doesn't mean I need it but normally I would have had to get a little more creative to get the job done.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 385
Likes: 58
From: St. Louis
I think the reason why you see it so often is it's standard when you change the gear ratio. For example, when I went from 3.31 to 3.55 it automatically ads the locker. I don't think 90% of people actually need it, but I went with a 2wd so I welcome it. Also, it can make a huge difference trying to pull a boat out of the water if that matters to you.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 385
Likes: 58
From: St. Louis
I accidentally sent that before I was done. So, on a dry steep ramp I shouldn't use the locker? The manual also doesn't recommend using 4H on dry pavement, so that just leaves 4L in a steep dry ramp situation?
My gut is a little woozy. Lots of choices.
Consider a higher gear set? Ford's numbers aren't convincing? 10,700 lbs for 3.15 and 11,900 for 3.55. Truck will likely run out of payload before reaching either of those numbers, or so I've been told. You don't mind giving up MPGs? Can you explain your thoughts?
I'm playing devil's advocate. Really appreciate your feedback.
Consider a higher gear set? Ford's numbers aren't convincing? 10,700 lbs for 3.15 and 11,900 for 3.55. Truck will likely run out of payload before reaching either of those numbers, or so I've been told. You don't mind giving up MPGs? Can you explain your thoughts?
I'm playing devil's advocate. Really appreciate your feedback.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 89
I don't pull a boat, but my friends that do have e-lockers and use them. I got mine because I pull my offroad buggy through the desert and the extra traction helps when the sand gets a little deep.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 9
From: California
I don't think I'll ever use it, and traction control is always there to come to the rescue. Worst case scenario is that having it might make my truck more attractive on resale. Truck owners just seem to love their lockers.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 395
Likes: 18
From: Rockie Mountain's. BC
An LSD will gather and pull you out of danger the majority of the time.
A Manual locking diff is a little to 'Back to the Future' for most people.
On the flip side I've been searching for a manual lock 3.73 so I can lock your *** up and smile while I do it.
A Manual locking diff is a little to 'Back to the Future' for most people.
On the flip side I've been searching for a manual lock 3.73 so I can lock your *** up and smile while I do it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 458
Likes: 71
From: Cape May, NJ
If all four wheels have no "grip" a e-locker will be needed. You can limit the wheel spin which digs you into holes. The old limited slip, posi-traction is a full time drag where a e-locker is not, helps in the fuel mileage quest. E-locker is no different than four wheel drive, most people do not "need" it.
Airstreamer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 468
Likes: 84
From: Texas
True, but it's become a binary option. There's no limited-slip middle ground, it's just open diff or e-locker, though of course they tell you a pretty story about the brake-based traction control making limited-slip obsolete.