Rear locker in 2wd?
 

Good afternoon, new here so maybe this has been covered.
I recently bought my first F150 after being in a Ranger for about 14 years. It's a 2014 STX 4x4 with a rear locker, I had a buddy of mine look at it and he said the locker can be engaged in either 2wd or 4wd low. The idea it could lock in 2wd is confusing to me due to I'm only used to lockers working in 4wd low. He went on to say it's probably a system that allows for the locker to disengage when being turned. Does anyone have any experience or more information with this type of 4x4 system?

Yes, it can be locked in both 4X2 , 4X4 hi, and 4X4lo. It will disengage above a certain speed, about 10mph I think. I don't know about all vehicles, but I also own a 2007 Tacoma 4X4. The 4X4 Tacoma's will only lock when in 4lo. But they also put locking diff's in some of their 4X2's which can be engaged in 4X2 obviously.. Actually the Ford system makes more sense to me. I never did understand why Toyota forced you to go to 4 lo to lock the rear axle.

Yup, your buddy is correct.

Look at the rear locker and 4wd options as completely separate items. One controls the rear differential and the other controls the transfer case.

It really is a pretty flexible system. Because I'm more of a street guy, I'd prefer a rear limited slip, but the E-locker does offer lots of options.

2wd is actually 1 wheel drive unless it has a locking differential, 4wd is actually 2 wheel drive unless it has a rear locking differential then it becomes a 3wd. Not sure if they make a locking diff for the front to make a true 4wd except for all wheel drive applications, had a 97 Aerostar with AWD, you lose one drive shaft and it's now a no wheel drive.
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They actually do, my buddy just put the Eaton E Locker in the front of his 2012 F-150 8.8 Front E Locker

You will be surprised how well 2wd with the locker engaged works in poor traction situations.

Mine does great. Snow, sand, gravel and mud haven't stopped it yet. I miss having limited slip at times but after you get used t it the E Locker works pretty good. Since I do not have or need a 4X4 the E Locker is the next best thing.

The E locker works good in 2wd unless you are backing up a steep hill in loose gravel, then it will just spin and go sideways. Direct up the hill with no slippage in 4wd (2wd). So, in that situation, 1 tire in front and 1 tire in rear works better than 2 tires in rear. :blink:

Sometimes it's nice to have the flexibility to use just the locker. Over the weekend I had my trailer in the yard with 2 yards of mulch in it and I had to back into a sharp 90° turn to leave the trailer where I wanted it. I knew backing up with my heavy trailer in 2wd risked doing the one wheel peel across my lawn. And I don't know if it's true, but it seems like my truck doesn't turn as tight when in 4wd so instead I just flipped on the locker to back up. Gave me all the traction I needed.

My last truck, a 05 Frontier, never let me use the locker unless I was in 4 low. It was pretty annoying and one of the reasons that after my spider gears blew I ripped out the locker and put in a Truetrac. That's still on my wish list to do to this truck.

All the above is true, but don’t forget the newer trucks also have one wheel spin control too. It simulated limited slip by applying brake to the spinning tire to transfer power to the non spinning tire. Please correct e if I’m wrong