I was checking out a brochure from my old 95 f150. The l.s. rear option included a l.s. front. So, this is no longer the case with the newer models? I had my 06 w/ 373 l.s. in 4hi today in slush. When i got to a spot where it was only wet, the front of the truck jerked and resisted the entire turn. Felt like both wheels were trying to grab.

???

 

put it up in the air, put it in gear, and find out.

"feeling" it isn't the best method of testing LS or lockers unless you really know what your feeling for. It feels like both tires are grabbing, because both tires are on good a surface with good traction. Your front end has power to it, making it feel like both or "pulling" when in fact just one is. Much like when your driving. Feels like both rear tires are pushing you forward, right ? I mean your not spinning in a circle. But only one is pushing. In 4x4 your not going to turn the same as in 2wd. Thats fact. I would only use 4x4 when you feel you have to, with limited traction such as snow, ice, mud. These front aluminum housing can't take much abuse.

Also, when one tire is "slipping" the diff will transfer power to it, thinking your in a turn. If your front was slipping, the diff could be tossing power side to side, trying to figure out which one is slipping. That how you can go around a turn, with out chirping your tires.

 

PLEASE READ THIS:

http://www.off-road.com/offroad/arti....jsp?id=285534

READ ALL OF IT. This will explain it far better then most anyone on the site. Any questions after reading it, feel free.

 

Yeah i know for a fact the front is OPEN. But theres a possiblity for a limited slip in the rear.

 

You guys are great. I'll read the article that MercedesTech recommended. I'll post additional question if necessary.

thanks for all of the help.

 

Give it a read. Explain how it all works, and the differences between them.

 

Well after reading that article man do i feel robbed.

I thought that all tires are spinning all the time in 4lo or 4hi. Therefore, my truck is a 2x4 even in 4wd. As soon as 1 tire breaks traction i am pretty F'd.

Therefore, what i am experiencing is totally normal. Man did i just catch 2 local dealers in a freaking lie.

I ask the tech....
In my 01 F150 4x4 do all tires spin when engaged in 4wd?
The tech told me of course. I then asked him, if that is true why is one tire slipping when going over rocks. He then tells me that there is something wrong w/ your truck and i need to pay to have it looked at.

So far spool setup is not really what i need.
Air, locker didn't like the comments about busting hoses etc.
Electric, might work
This one might be what i need:
First of all what is considered light to medium duty off-road use?
Does the f150 fall under the lighter vehicles category?

Is it safe to say that most lockers are selectable? I can decide when i what the rears locked?

Any advise will be great...

 

Per the code you listed, H9, you do have a limited slip rear. LS can be defeated, but in general both rears will spin IF it is working properly. For the front, unless I have a dedicated off-road vehicle, I want an open front. With that set up and everything working properly, all 4 will spin in most cases. Ihave had people tell me that they wished they had may set up (open front, LS rear), they had open front and rear as when they saw my vehicle all 4 were spinning in the deep snow I was in.

I would have your rear checked as the clutches may be gone.

 

^^ agree. You HAD limited slip. Your clutches are blown. ON a regular F150, clutch is gone by 60k. The bigger F250 and 350 see their clutches gone by about 40k.

A detroit true-trak would be hands down, the best "fix" for what your talking about. They will behave ina very predictable manner. They will lock when you need it, and allow you to turn and keep your regular turning radius. It will also last 10x longer, due to the fact their are NO clutches, but a worm gear system.

 

Well Guys,

The final 4 are here. They are as follows:

Repair clutches from ford $700 parts and labor
Repair the full LSD $1800 Parts and Labor
Replace factory LSD w/ Tru Trac $1000 parts and labor
Replace Facoty LSD w/ Auburn non pro version $900 parts and labor.

Here are the pros and cons i see, feel free to correct me if am wrong or add .

Factory
Well that says it. not really an option
Tru trak
Maintenance free
I can use any oil
Will engage better than stock(this is probably an understatement)
No clutches to wear out
Transition not as smooth as Auburn
I can use my current 4.55's

Auburn
Not maintenance free
Special Diff oil(auburn kind)
Will last longer than factory
A little bit cheaper
Transition is much smoother than trutrac
Bites better than stock
I can use my current 4.55's

Like i said feel free to add to my list

My final question will either of these change driving/response/reliability of my truck?


Once again you guys rock...

 

tru trak hands down out of the choices.

 

Do you have a 8.8? You can rebuild your trac loc for MUCH less. You don't need to re setup your gears either.

http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Motorspor.../dp/B000CNNG42

 

As I said before, I would highly recommend the Detroit trutrac. IF you search around, you can find a good deal on one. I had mine installed at a friend's shop and they charged me $400 total. I only paid $250 for the truetrac!!! It was a new/never installed salvaged unit from a shop in Iowa that was selling off items after the floods they had this summer. So, for $650 I now have a maintenance free and clutchless, non friction modifier needing carrier of awesomeness!

Yes, I know I got a great deal. That should be proof enough that deals are out there if you search hard enough and contact enough people until you find the right one. You don't need to get in a hurry here! Your truck will drive just fine until you make the right decision that is best for you. Also, don't get caught up in the idea that you'll find a deal like mine. You may find one better or you may end up paying more. As long as it's a "deal" you are good to go!

I would suggest contacting these people: http://stores.ebay.com/SADLER-POWER-TRAIN-TRUCK-PARTS to see if they have any "deals" on a truetrac for your truck.

 

I had thought about a Tru Trac myself but read they are not meant for tires above 32" dia. Keep that in mind when you pick a locker.

 

I can't say with authority, but I would assume anything running a stock LS can run a trutrac.