Ok I don't really have a dilemma, just a couple questions. I have a 2004 F150 XLT with the 4.6 and non limited slip. Not too familiar with differentials aside from yanking them out and putting them back in humvees. As far as upgrading the rear diff to an lsd or locking diff do I need to do the same for the front? Do they make and lsd for the front? Also, does anyone have an idea of any brands or types being better than others?

 

You will probably get a bunch of responses on the best type but you don't need to match the front and rear. What kind of offroading are you planning? Do you drive in ice and snow? Need to know your plans to help.

 

Driving in ice and snow during the winter and trying to get the truck ready to hopefully make it to the dirt tracks and at the very least mudding. Not real big in to rock crawling although it's cool as ****.

 

I would stick with a lsd then. It is the ice/snow, cornering will be a lot more fun than you want with a locker on that. If you search limited slip diff I am sure there are a few threads here on the preferred type. My FX4 has the lsd stock and kicks **** in the snow (with good tires of course), I have been very impressed with how well it has handled.

 

If you want to pony up the extra money, ARB makes an excellent selectable air actuated locker. Final cost to buy all the parts new will run you about $1000, but it's a nice unit. When off it acts as an open diff which is nice on slick surfaces where you don't want both tires to break lose of traction. When on it's a full out locker, with all its benifits.

And no, typically you don't need to install anything in the front axle. The guys who do so usually need the most amount of traction they can get (rock crawling, mudding, stupid deep snow, etc). If you're just an average guy who takes an occasional mud trail or back woods or something, then having an open front diff most likely won't hinder you.