It's very useful to tear up some snow.

 

I have a 2003 Ford F 150, Super Crew, 2WD,with a L/S diff, I wanted to know if I can put a locker in my diff? I do not do very much off roading except during hunting season, I usually take my atv on a trailer if conditions are muddy or snow is present because I would probably get stuck if I just took my truck. I don't have a problem with the $750 plus price tag of the Eaton E locker, my question is, will it assist my truck dramatically> I Love my truck and use it to pull a camper, and really don't want to shell out the money for a 4x4 since I only would use it 8 to 10 times a year in off road situations (fields and grassy pastures) during hunting season. I do not know anything about differentials, or transmissions so you will have to dumb it down for me.

 

I have a '13 4x4 with e locker. Hauling 7k # of asphalt up a steep gravelly road was a no-go without the locker engaged. The electronic limited slip (traction control) does ok normally but it could put enough power to the wheels to keep me going. 4x4 was not necessary.

Sometimes on steep, slick hills in downtown Seattle my traction control cant do it from a stop. The locker lets me get going without delay. Have to be aimed straight up the hill or the locker sometimes kicks the rear end loose.

I tried it on hard compact snow - It made the truck squirrely so I now use 4x4.

 

I am ready to buy a 2014, 5.0 and want the 3000# payload the build to price has so many axle options, I have always ordered LS and love it, the electronic in one case is cheaper. Is the LS a dash board engage? Other wise your in one wheel drive? Can it be engadged on the fly?

 

Limited slip does its thing automatically in the differential. You cannot turn it on or off. When one wheel slips, clutches in the diff. engage to send power to the other wheel.

 

^^ Correct, and just wanted to add that it is the factory Electronic Locking Differential that has a switch on the dash to engage it.

 

If I recall, they don't offer a LS in the diff any longer, it's the electric version now. So the only mechanical type of traction aid is the E locker.

 

The one case you can still get a limited slip for the new F-150's are the heavy duty version with the 8' bed in the reg or ext cab, or the 6.5' bed with the screw. It has the 10.25" rear end and 7 bolt wheels. Gives a bit more capacity for payload as a result. Can get it on XL, XLT and Lariat.


I can't remember if the 3.7 uses the e-locker or limited slip so that may be the only other case.




My take on the elocker, having a 2wd up in Manitoba. I thought I wanted it to assist in winter conditions but I am one of the few that have the death shudder on these forums, not much fun (sounds like the rear end is eating itself). Since that noise/vibration only happens when the diff is locked it is rather annoying. The one wheel spin control does work very well though on its own. The locker has its place but it seems to be quite limited.

 

Where did you find this? "It has the 10.25" rear end"

 

I live in South Louisiana, so I cannot speak about the E-locker and snow, but there have been times when I used the E-locker at a boat launch or in tall, wet grass. It worked very well and I didn't have to engage 4x4. If you get the Off-Road package, E-locker is included. To engage the E-locker on a 2WD, there is an "on/off" **** where the 4WD **** would be located. On a 4WD, you have to pull the 4WD **** out towards you, and it engages the locking differential. Hope this and the other posts help.