I'm still hunting for my 1st F150 and i have a question. Back in the day (60's & 70's), my Dad used to tell me if you didn't have a locker or a lsd, 2 wheel drive was really 1 wheel and 4 wheel drive was really just 2. Lots of folks proved that to me at the boat ramps and on the beach.

I've been looking up the build of each truck that looks good (on ETIS) and ignoring any that didn't have the lsd option.

So how does a stock F150 4x4 w/o the lsd do in snow, or a slick ramp (or a slick snowy hill)? This won't be my dd and needs to handle crappy days and steep boat ramps.

Thanks

 

The electronic traction control does a decent job of adjusting traction, but can't replace a locking axle. If you can't find an E-locker, you can always have an EATON TruTrak installed.

Just about any tow package equipped with 3.55 would have the e-lock rear axle though.

 

I'm looking at 2011, 2012 XLT with the 5l. I can't afford new (lol, or even almost new). It looks like it was an option, unless I'm reading it wrong.

I'll look into the EATON, though. Thanks!

 

It is an option, but depending on the package could have been included. When you are viewing photo's online, look at the 4WD ****, at the lower left if you see what looks like a driveline, it has the E-lock axle.

 

Cool, didn't know that. Thanks!

 

If the **** pulls OUT it has the electric locker, and its a terrific option. No clutches to wear out and no fluid additive required.

 

For 2011 model year, E-Locker rear axle was standard on FX-4 and available with 5.0L or EcoBoost engines only with 3.73 ratio and off-road package on other 4x4s. Limited slip was available on most other 2011 F-150s.


For 2012 model year, Ford expanded the availability of e-locker rear ends to almost all F-150s with 5.0L or Ecoboost engine, and with any ratio available. Mine is a 4x2 3.15 e-Locker, but e-Locker was also available in 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, and only in FX4 with 20" wheels and max tow was it available in 4.10 ratio.

 

I have a 2013 XLT 4x4 5.0 without the e-locker or LSD and it does well enough. Electronic traction control kicks in at slow speeds and uses the brakes to mimic limited slip. For slow speed maneuvers, it works well enough. It's not a locker, but it gets the job done. I live in New England and have never had an issue not having LSD or a locker. If you want one for off road purposes, you can't beat a locked axle.

 

I have the electric locker in my 2012 & with the rear unlocked, it acts as an open diff. I haven't had any trouble on boat ramps (I launch my boat more during winter duck season than during the summer/spring) or driving in snow with the rear unlocked. Most of the time I've used the locker I was just testing/experimenting with it. The other times it's been just to cut down wheel spin to not tear up hunting paths. I don't feel like I have ever really NEEDED it (i.e. would have been stuck without it). That being said, I still would much prefer to have the locker or limited slip over an open diff.

I looked a 2011 before I bought my truck that had the electric locker. It was an XLT, and I don't think it had the off-road package, but I don't recall the gear ratio. But I think the 2011 had to be in 4x4 to engage the locker, whereas my 2012 can engage it in 2wd.

Also something I noticed is that the nearly all of the 4x4s I looked at that weren't FX4s had the 3.55 e-locker. I don't think I came across any with the limited slip. As I recall the LS was quite a bit more expensive than the e-locker as an add on option.

 

An LSD/Locker I feel falls under a similar category as 4X4. You don't use it often but when you need it you would pay the extra money on the spot to have it.