I too am in the dislike the e-locker club. Here are a couple different scenarios. For those who have been in them, how did you handle things?

1) Off road in a fair amount of mud. With proper mud tires the idea is to spin them to clear the treads to gain traction. Most of the time you spin faster than 20 mph. Did your e-locker shut off? What happened if it did?

2) On road in the snow. Again with proper snow tires the principal is the same, spin the tires to clear them to gain traction. I had this situation several times last year and the stock tires were the issue. I'll be getting new tires for this winter as I don't off road much in mud but do hit some roads on the western PA ridges with the dogs that aren't maintained.

My opinion is that the next truck will not have e-lockers. I will get the factory LSD, put proper tires on it and then I won't anticipate an issue. For the next 3 years I'll have to see if the better tires will make a significant difference.

 

Maybe I've expressed my views too much already in this thread but unless there is documented data showing Ford's e-locker has reliability issues, no valid reason not to want it as a selectable traction aid on loose terrain while the rest of the time simply allowing LSD to function when needed. Having e-locker is still worth more to me than $100 MSRP option.

OK, I'll shut up now...

 

The e-locker is an open diff when not engaged.

 

Oh you still have a limited slip.... it's just your rear brakes. It sounds so wonderful in the mud and I have been listening to it today. I pull the button and lock the rear to not listen to that lol. I'm just puttering in snot consistency mud on well pads today. Press and hold the traction control button or forget even moving... well you might in 4wd at 2 mph with the abs motor giving it all its got and the brakes going crazy. What a joke.

 

Do you like Torsen diffs?

 

Am I misunderstanding how the combo of Ford's LSD and e-locker functions from this extract copied from soft copy of F150 owners manual? On my Nissan Frontier, LSD automatically engages as the computer senses slippage whereas manually engaging (optional) e-locker overrides LSD. Sorry for taking up bandwidth by pasting in text but this might be helpful to others also...


LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
(IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on
slippery surfaces, particularly when one
wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under
normal conditions, the limited-slip axle
functions like a standard rear axle. The axle
may exhibit a slight noise or vibration
during tight turns with low vehicle speed.
This is normal behavior and indicates the
axle is working.

ELECTRONIC LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL (IF EQUIPPED)
Note: The electronic locking differential is
for off-road use only and is not for use on
dry pavement. Using the electronic locking
differential on dry pavement will result in
increased tire wear, noise and vibration.

The electronic locking differential is a
device housed in the rear axle that allows
both rear wheels to turn at the same
speed. The electronic locking differential
can provide additional traction should your
vehicle become stuck. You can activate
the differential electronically and shift it
on the fly within the differential operating
speed range. The differential is for use in
mud, rocks, sand, or any off-road condition
where you need maximum traction. It is
not for use on dry pavement.

The following conditions will affect the
electronic locking differential:

• The electronic locking differential will
not engage if your vehicle speed is
above 20 mph (32 km/h) in 4x2, 4x4
Auto, or 4x4 High modes
• The electronic locking differential will
not engage if your vehicle speed is
above or 56 mph (90 km/h) in 4X4
Low
• The electronic locking differential will
not engage if you press your
accelerator pedal beyond 50% during
an engagement attempt
• In 4x2, 4x4 Auto, and 4x4 High modes,
the electronic locking differential will
automatically disengage at speeds
above 25 mph (41 km/h) and will
automatically reengage at speeds
below 20 mph (32 km/h)
• In 4L (4X4 low), the electronic locking
differential will automatically
disengage at speeds above 62 mph
(100 km/h) and will automatically
reengage at speeds below 56 mph (90
km/h)
• The AdvanceTrac system has the
ability to take over control of the
electronic locking differential and
disable it during driving maneuvers
when necessary

When you switch the system on, if you do
not meet the required conditions for
electronic locking differential activation,
the instrument cluster will display the
appropriate information guiding you
through the proper activation process.

Activating the Electronic Locking
Differential (If Equipped)

Note: Do not use electronic locking
differential on dry, hard surfaced roads.
Doing so will produce excessive noise,
vibration and increase tire wear.

Note: If the electronic locking differential
has difficulty disengaging, release the
accelerator pedal and turn the steering
wheel in the opposite direction while rolling

 

No. I do not. They have their place but it's not in anything I currently own.

 

There is no limited slip in the E locker equipped trucks beyond your rear brakes. Pop your rear cover off doing your differential a favor and changing the oil and take a peek. What you copied tells you how two different systems work. Ford uses a clutch type limited slip or an e locker. There is no combination unit available from Ford and no one i have ever talked too like the Auburn ECTED which is not a real locker anyway.

 

There is no combo you either have one or the other.

 

Has anybody installed the E Locker with success?