2023 Electronic limited slip axle question

[JasonH]

I’m guessing you have not read many of the posts. All that has been covered. My code is 3L. NOTHING in the tow guide for the 2023 Expedition says 3L exists. Screenshots of all that information are posted in this thread.

You're correct. I went back and read the thread. I'm not surprised that Ford would sow confusion and the dealership will likely be no help. The guide says 2E for LSD, so perhaps Ford made a running configuration change after the guide was printed.

 

[Calidad]

Just when I think this issue cannot get any more perplexing, and I think we have exhausted all avenues to understand what makes no sense….

A friend of mine has a 2023 Timberline. I know it comes standard as AWD, and it comes standard with 3.73 with ELS. I was able to look at it this morning and yes, it even has the manual ELS control on the dash, which mine does not. And guess what the axle code is? Yep, 3L, same as mine.

Awd is not 4x4 the Timber line is 4x4 with transfer case. My understanding is that All 4x4 models with transfer case hi/low will also have the 3.73 rear end.

COVID shortages did result in some strange equipment combos. Also marketing/ Packaging it makes sense to offer a button in higher priced models especially the most capable 4x4 model.

 

[Mr Big]

You're correct. I went back and read the thread. I'm not surprised that Ford would sow confusion and the dealership will likely be no help. The guide says 2E for LSD, so perhaps Ford made a running configuration change after the guide was printed.

I think confusion might be the 2 guides. You and I are reading the heavy duty tow package specs, where it shoew 2e66 for LSD, WHERE maybe the OP is reading the standard tow package specs.

 

[JasonH]

I think confusion might be the 2 guides. You and I are reading the heavy duty tow package specs, where it shoew 2e66 for LSD, WHERE maybe the OP is reading the standard tow package specs.

Ford has two guides, which I've linked below. They cover all the Expedition configurations and neither one references 3L for the 2023 models. The most likely answer is that Ford just screwed up. As usual.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/cpo/pdf/2023_Ford_RVandTrailerTowingGuide_r3_Feb21.pdf

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/cpo/pdf/2023_Ford_Expedition_Towing_Info_Dec16.pdf

 

[Mr Big]

Ford has two guides, which I've linked below. They cover all the Expedition configurations and neither one references 3L for the 2023 models. The most likely answer is that Ford just screwed up. As usual.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/cpo/pdf/2023_Ford_RVandTrailerTowingGuide_r3_Feb21.pdf

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/cpo/pdf/2023_Ford_Expedition_Towing_Info_Dec16.pdf

I don't think Ford screwed up, from what I've found.
I was able to find a document, (Identify Your Ford Truck Axle From The Door Sticker), showing the 3L was the standard Super Duty Limited Slip Axle, used in certain models for many years.

Ford changed the axle or changed the code, from 3L to 2E* in 2023. I referenced these guides on or about page 47:
2023 Towing Guide > 2022 Towing Guide > 2021 Towing Guide > 2020 Towing Guide > 2019 Towing Guide >

You can see earlier, than 2018, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Ford used 3L for the Limited-Slip Axle code.
In 2023 they changed to 2E*.
The 3L code referenced the Super Duty line of Axles for many years prior to 2023. Ford may have changed the codes to avoid confusion, which obviously led to confusion.

If the OP has a 2E axle, it's limited slip. If the OP has a 3L axle, it's limited slip. It's possible first run manufactured Expeditions, with the heavy duty tow package, had 3L axles in them and Ford changed to 2E axles mid-year.

 

[jjscsix]

I think confusion might be the 2 guides. You and I are reading the heavy duty tow package specs, where it shoew 2e66 for LSD, WHERE maybe the OP is reading the standard tow package specs.

No. I’ve been reading for the HD Tow package. I’ve posted sceeen shots of everything. I’ve been a gearhead since the 60s. Took two years of auto mechanics in high school. At 70 years old I still work on my vehicles myself. I’m very knowledgeable.

I would be elated if someone would show me where it shows a 3L axle for a 2023 Expedition, and explain it to me.

 

[jjscsix]

Awd is not 4x4 the Timber line is 4x4 with transfer case. My understanding is that All 4x4 models with transfer case hi/low will also have the 3.73 rear end.

COVID shortages did result in some strange equipment combos. Also marketing/ Packaging it makes sense to offer a button in higher priced models especially the most capable 4x4 model.

Im aware of that. To me the terms can be used interchangeably. ButI know that you are correct in how they are used, so I should not have called it AWD. My bad.

 

[jjscsix]

I don't think Ford screwed up, from what I've found.
I was able to find a document, (Identify Your Ford Truck Axle From The Door Sticker), showing the 3L was the standard Super Duty Limited Slip Axle, used in certain models for many years.

Ford changed the axle or changed the code, from 3L to 2E* in 2023. I referenced these guides on or about page 47:
2023 Towing Guide > 2022 Towing Guide > 2021 Towing Guide > 2020 Towing Guide > 2019 Towing Guide >

You can see earlier, than 2018, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Ford used 3L for the Limited-Slip Axle code.
In 2023 they changed to 2E*.
The 3L code referenced the Super Duty line of Axles for many years prior to 2023. Ford may have changed the codes to avoid confusion, which obviously led to confusion.

If the OP has a 2E axle, it's limited slip. If the OP has a 3L axle, it's limited slip. It's possible first run manufactured Expeditions, with the heavy duty tow package, had 3L axles in them and Ford changed to 2E axles mid-year.

Crazy isn’t it? I’ve Spent so much time trying to figure it out that I want to know just for the sake of knowledge. As I said in an earlier post, I did not buy it thinking it had limited slip, but it would be nice. I’m just obsessed with knowing!

Thanks to everyone who is responding.

 

[jjscsix]

Ford has two guides, which I've linked below. They cover all the Expedition configurations and neither one references 3L for the 2023 models. The most likely answer is that Ford just screwed up. As usual.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/cpo/pdf/2023_Ford_RVandTrailerTowingGuide_r3_Feb21.pdf

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/cpo/pdf/2023_Ford_Expedition_Towing_Info_Dec16.pdf

But the question is, what is their screw up. Does it actually have a LSD that it should not have, or is the 3Lon my door sticker wrong.

Best case is that it has a traditional non-electronic LSD, worst case is that I got exactly what I thought I had. I feel quite certain it is not the electronic locker, but maybe an outside chance it is the old fashion LSD that shows on the F250. Realistically I think I’m dreaming!

 

[AJ82]

But the question is, what is their screw up. Does it actually have a LSD that it should not have, or is the 3Lon my door sticker wrong.

Best case is that it has a traditional non-electronic LSD, worst case is that I got exactly what I thought I had. I feel quite certain it is not the electronic locker, but maybe an outside chance it is the old fashion LSD that shows on the F250. Realistically I think I’m dreaming!

To my knowledge the 4th gen Expy has not had a mechanical LSD. It is either the electronic LSD one or nothing.