Just found out that the FX4 trucks have an open differential. I know they have the locker in 4wd which is awesome, But for everyday driving, the open diff isnt the best choice.

Is there a special braking system that helps with this issue since there is no LSD in the FX4 trim?

I can get the 3.73 LSD in the XLT, So, this might be a better fit more me. I love the style and look and features of the FX4, but the open diff kinda scares me a bit.

 

Im a little confused, what is it you need to know exactly? Why does an open diff scare you?

 

With traction control it is not that big of a deal.

 

Ok, let me try and explain this a little better.

Im looking at an FX4. I know it has a locker in the rear. I know this is super good for offroading. I also know that it has an Open Diff.

So in theory, Lets say im driving in the snow as I do all winter here in WV. And my left tire starts slipping. Im screwed until i put it in 4x4 with the open diff. Where as with the LSD, it would kick power over to the other wheel and i would be fine.

So that is why im scared of the open diff. I've had a few trucks in the past with open diff and they didnt hold up too well to the slick roads we have here. My last 2 trucks have had LSD and i rarely need to put them in 4x4 because the go so well in snow.

I have a tacoma now. It has LSD. It is the Sport version.

The Off Road verson has AUTO LSD (fake limited slip) where it kicks in brakes to make the power shift if needed. My other question is, will the FX4 have something like this to make better traction if needed?

Hope that explains it a little better. Its hard to put into words what i want to ask.

 

I know what you are saying, you want a combo rear end that has both a locker for offroading and LS when on pavement/slick roads. This is not possible. Correct me if I am wrong but the traction control will give you the "fake limited slip" you are looking for. Its standard on all F150s. This is called brake limited slip where the traction control will apply the brake to the slipping wheel to simulate traction and turn the other wheel.

 

The diff is only open if you have the traction control turned off. Watch the video in this link and you will see that in 2wd with traction control turned on the rear diff works perfectly fine. Scroll too bottom of page to find the video.
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....e-tractio.html

 

It is called traction control. If the wheel speed sensors detect that one wheel is spinning faster than the other then the brakes are applied to that wheel and sometimes power is cut. Same principal as on your Taco.

I have had my '10 FX4 for over a year and don't feel like I have lost anything compared to my '01 that had a limited slip.

 

The Ford in that test had a LS not an open or e-locker. It is a 2009 KR, the e-locker was not available in the KR until 2011. Which leaves the factory 3.31 open or a 3.55LS or 3.73LS as the options. The text listed the Ford as having one of the LS plus the TC.

Will the open + TC work? Maybe but when I drove one on dry pavement I was able to spin on wheel pretty hard before the TC killed the power. It never felt like the other wheel was made to spin for me that sealed the deal. I would like a locker but would not give up the LS to get it.

 

I drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee with open diffs and no traction control for the first 8 years of my driving life. I never had a problem in snow or rain.

The traction control in the Fx4 should provide plenty of protection against slipping on wet roads (probably better than the LSD and no traction control in older vehicles IMHO).

 

This is my thinking too. All the options Ford gives you, they dont make an FX4 without the locker and LS instead. I really love everything about the FX4. The leather, dual climate, nav system, LCD screen, and pretty much everything else.

Have to either downgrade to an XLT and not get dual climate or upgrade to a Lariat.

 

I am on the second winter with my '09 FX4 and I have only needed to use 4wd twice and once was because my driveway was a sheet of ice and I needed it to get in the garage. Don't need an LS to drive in the snow when the truck has traction control.

I get around just as good with this truck as I did my '04 Lariat w/LS.