MXD

I did a quick search but I couldn't find the answer so here goes. I want the 3.31 but its only available with an open diff from what I can see. My question is, do I NEED either a LSD or E Locker or is the standard traction control good enough? I live in MA were it snows but not a ton. We might get a bad storm a couple times a year that dumps a foot or a little more but its cleaned up quickly. I do go north to go snowmobiling but its all plowed roads to and fro. I have always had a LSD but I can't know if I've ever used or needed it.

Buzam

Traction Control rules, it's all you need.

MNMike

I drove my old open diff Chevy 4x4 for 17 years without ever getting stuck. I did have to pull the 4x4 lever more often than I would have if I had LSD, but it didn't hurt a thing.

JaysonsF150

I'm in Alberta and I've got the 3.31 gears and it snows a bit here but mostly it's extremely icy, I haven't had a problem with it yet and a couple times where I thought it might be hard to leave I just put it in 4hi then back when the road was nicer

KGSloan

with the new traction control system, and one wheel spin control, i would say no - unless you are planning on some serious off roading.

reason i say that is I went to colorado over christmas, and my truck has the e-locker. never once did i need to enguage the e-locker while in 2wd (i did the mod to get it to work in 2hi) in order to get power delivered to both wheels. the truck would climb grades from a stop on snow covered roads, because the TC system would kick in and get me moving without delivering power to only one wheel.

klumb15

99% of the time the open diff will be fine. There will be a handful of those times where you'll say "Damn, wish I would have got a locker or LSD". Especially at trailheads after a big snow.

pfbz

I'd bump up to 3.55 with ELD...

Also, the 3.31 is only available in a few engine/cab configurations. In any 4x4 configuration, the 3.31 gearing is only available with the EcoBoost engine, which is not a combo I would want. 3.55 or 3.73 are far better gear ratios for that engine, in my opinion.

And yes, once I bailed on the 3.31 gear ratio, I'd definitely opt for ELD, especially now that the 2012's allow you to engage it without shifting into 4x4 for those times you need just a bit of extra traction. Well worth the extra ~$500 or so.

Kenferg1

In my opinion, for most drivers with our modern 4X4 trucks the traction control will take care of 99% of our traction needs. Now, if you off-road in any semi-serious way a locking or limited slip differential is essential. If gas mileage is a concern the 3.55 elocker is a good choice. Even if you don't use the elocker it can help on resale.

byoungblood

I concur that on pavement, traction control will take care of about 99% of the limited traction situations you encounter. However, it will be only of limited help if you've got your wheels in the mud and really need to get power to both wheels, where a locker, and to a lesser extent an LSD, become more essential.

Johnnyh55

I know that the FX4 comes standard with electronic locking diff but how does the diff usually behave in normal conditions, is it a brake controlled LSD or it's just an open diff?