10 ga Bob

I have owned F150s since 1997 but they have all been 2WD. I now need 4 wd for pulling boats up icy ramps and driving through unplowed snow. My local dealer has a new 2012 F150 4wd but it has a standard 3.31 rear differential and the 3.5 Eccoboost engine. I'm thinking that I should get a limited slip or better yet an electronic locking rear differential. Why would a dealer order a 4WD with a standard read differential? Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of having a 4WD? I know that my 4WD tractor sometimes spins 3 wheels until I engage the diff lock. Won't I have the same problem without a LS or locking read diff in this truck?

borjeb

I have that combo and I was really worried about it. Turns out, it is only noticable it 2wd, when I'm in 4wd I've never been stuck with one back tire not spinning causing the hang up. I notice it when driving on icy roads it takes nothing to spin one not the other, which the locker is the same, because it's open until locked fully. I'd say the 4wd with open rear diff will go through 90% atleast of what a lsd or locker will go through, with exception of rock crawling or heavy articulation.

RES4CUE

Because 99% of the people that buy the trucks will not like the adverse effects of a locked rear end.

They are doing some electronic style LS with an open diff with the new ones.

I have the LS in my truck and a locker in my Jeep and would not be without one for the reason you stated.

Al Kohalic

They probably got one to sale it to some unsuspecting buyer who doesn't know about gear ratio's or diff types and is just looking for a 4x4 EB just to say he has one. I have seen this time and time again. Some people will buy trucks not knowing you have different engine, diff, and tow packages. They think all trucks are the same, and that the only difference is color. Sadly, I am finding more and more guys like this who couldn't tell you the difference between diesel or a gasser. Chevy has made a living off people like this. Cause if people actually knew what they were buying in the 1500, then Chevy would have been out of business a long time ago.

zseese

Just get the open diffs and get the Auburn E-Lockers installed aftermarket, LS when unlocked and obviously locked when locked, my truck came with 3.73 open diffs (not my choice, bought slightly used) and that's what I'm going to do, best of both worlds, was quoted around $2400 installed...

ClaySlayer

the "electronic lsd" from the factory should do just fine on ice...I have the E-Locker but the electronic lsd does good enough in mud and wet grass for me...

zseese

Electronic LSD? I was under the impression that the LSD was a standard clutch type? I've never heard of an electronic one...

borjeb

No electronic one.

ClaySlayer

it does it through the ABS so to call it an LSD is really not accurate...even with the Traction Control/AdvanceTrac turned off the "one wheel spin limiter" (or whatever they call it) is always on...there's a couple of videos on youtube that someone posted on the forum not too long ago...it actually works pretty good.

MR.FX4

Look up dcfluid on YouTube, he demonstrated the one wheel spin control

Beat me to it