I just received my 2022 Platinum 4x4 and its great so far. I don't know what I was thinking but I ordered it with an open rear. Can it be upgraded to ELD? Living in Eastern Pennsylvania it may be useful.

 

what is ELD?

 

Assume Electronic Locking Diff

 

Yes, Electronic Locking Differential

 

Sure, but you would be drilling a hole in your diff to run the wires. If you don't want to change the housing irreversibly, then a Torsen is a very good solution that will last forever.

 

It isn't an easy swap, I would just go without it. Doesn't really matter that you live in Eastern PA unless you intend to do some more serious off-roading or find yourself in deep, unplowed snow and going up hills. You don't want to use the locker just driving around with snow on the ground, because having both rear tires spinning will cause your rear end to slide around. For 98+% of even harsh traction conditions, your standard 4WD and the traction control system which simulates a limited slip are plenty. Also why getting an actual limited slip is largely pointless.

I have had a locker on all of my F-150s, but the actual need for it has been very rare, and we are in Michigan with plenty of trips to northern Michigan, so I am not just telling you it's fine without it while also living in Arizona or something.

Should you get it on your next F-150? Sure, I know I will keep getting it as it has helped me on a couple occasions and it's pretty "cheap" as far as options go. But if I had a truck without it, I wouldn't lose sleep. You will get farther with a better set of tires and they will be more useful in more situations than spending that much or more adding an E-Locker you may use once.

 

Your local 4x4 shop or drivetrain shop can usually do it. I would estimate you're looking at about $1400 in parts and labor, though. The front axle done at the same time would probably add another $1200. Though at that point, adding in a regear might only add another $4-500 or so if you want a different gear ratio, such as if you plan on going to larger tires.

Torsen (and their competitor, Eaton Truetrac) differentials are indeed noticeably cheaper, maybe $300 or so cheaper per axle. They have different operating characteristics than a locker. Labor to setting them up is similar to a locking differential. One very common pairing in the F-150 is a locking rear and the Raptor Torsen in the front axle.

Clutch-based LSDs are cheaper yet, but have even more limited function than helical gear LSDs. (The labor to install is the exact same.)

 

Thanks that makes me feel a little better. This is my first F150 since the 80's. Since then I had quite a few Explorers, I wasn't very impressed with the last Explorer which was an 2020 ST in the snow. Like you said tires make a huge difference.