Thanks for getting us back on topic. I quote myself:

For many people, limited slip differential is not that important. But, it aids in all low-traction situations. With an open diff, all the power from the engine flows (like water) to the path with least resistance. Absolutely never is traction the same between two tires and the road due to weight distribution, surface, etc. On wet roads, one tire will start slipping before the other at which point, you are done accelerating until you back off the gas. With LTD slip, both tires will have to lose tration before spinning so the same principal applies. The traction limits are greatly increased, though. The only downside is that once both wheels are spinning in say a RWD vehicle such as an F-150, you are more likely to fishtail than if just one tire is spinning. It really should not be an issue, but many people just don't have much experience or vehicle control skills.

IMHO, every vehicle should have a limited slip. It turns a 1 wheel drive vehicle into two wheel drive.

 

This is pretty much the bottom line. If you're ever going to leave the pavement, get the limited slip.

 

I would add from my personal experience here in New Hampshire during winter with the snow and/or ice.

I had a 97 F150 with non-limited slip rear-end and it was not fun driving in the snow and/or ice. 200 lbs of sand in the back did help but it was just very comfortable to drive in the snow and/or ice.

I now have a 01 F150 with the 3.55 limited slip and I can tell you it is the difference between night and day. Very comfortable to drive in the winter with or without sand in the back. On real bad days with snow and/or ice I still put the sand back there for added traction, but it is such a major difference I will NEVER own a truck or RWD drive vehicle without limited slip rear-end…

 

I dont think my armpits stink


tell me if Im wrong....



(can't wait for the hail of bullets on this one)

 

Thank you for all the replies. I now have a better understanding of it. I won't be using my truck to go off-roading or anything. It will be strictly for pavement, and I want to get the most gas mileage possible during everyday use. Is the difference in gas mileage THAT noticeable? Or would I be better off just sticking with the regular 3.55?


And J150, stop trying to hijack the thread.......because your armpits DO stink.

 

There should be no difference in gas mileage between the LSD and open diff, all else equal.

 

If you never ever ever ever are going to take your truck off road or never ever ever ever going to go into the snow/ice then there is no difference. As APT stated, IMHO all vehicles should be limited slip.

As far as gas mileage, in most driving situations the only time the limited slip actually works at all is when you are in a sharp turn (like a interchange clover leaf). Has to do with the fact that both rear tires are turning through a different radius (Don't panic just engineer talk). The only time the limited slip functions is when there is a difference in torques produced by the rear wheels (Sorry more engineer talk).

You won't even notice it and it won't affect gas mileage. I even ordered a 4x4 and got it on it. So, if I get stuck I'm going to need a tractor.