Anyone Install a Locker?
- Thread starter Darwin
- Start date
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mjp2
Full Access Members
If only there was a way to fully disable the traction control.
You can have the traction control turned off permanently if you have something like an SCT handheld tuner. The traction control light will stay on. As long as you don't mind seeing the light, it is a great way to do it.
mjp2
Full Access Members
I do have an SCT tuner. A combination of that and an LED removed from the dash display panel might make for a solid recipe. Thanks for the heads up!
Menard LaDouche
Well-Known Member
Owners manual says to turn off TruTrac if you get stuck. Discussion elsewhere on this forum, one fellow who seemed knowledgeable, said that the differentials lock when you turn off TruTrac. Difficult to know for sure, but very odd that traction is better without the fancy feature. I usually forget to turn it off unless I do get stuck, but I can drive right out if I am and then turn it off.
I can attest for my wife’s Highlander that once you are stuck you are better off shutting the traction control off to get out.
I have not stuck the Expedition yet so I can’t say for it’s system.
I lack knowledge of how different 4wd systems actually work. Guess I’ll try to start educating myself on the Expedition a bit more. It can only help as I begin to dabble in overlanding and off roading.
I have not stuck the Expedition yet so I can’t say for it’s system.
I lack knowledge of how different 4wd systems actually work. Guess I’ll try to start educating myself on the Expedition a bit more. It can only help as I begin to dabble in overlanding and off roading.
RodInPrescott
Member
Darwin, you started this thread in Sep 2018. I think you were asking whether anyone had installed a "locker" in a 3rd generation Expedition. Now to me, a "locker" implies ability to "lock" a differential. Limited slip differentials do not lock.
And yet, the thread wandered off into space, with discussions about limited slip differentials, aftermarket and original, and about which Expedition models originally had these. It became very rancorous along the way. And, it may have been informative to some, but it doesn't seem to have been informative to you. I hate it when that happens.
I'm a newbie here now, as you were in 2018. I'm hoping that maybe you acquired some useful info elsewhere, about your original question. If so, I'd love for you to share that.
The 2017 I just bought may or may not have a limited slip differential, I haven't figured that out yet. But either way, I want a real locker that's selectable. I may settle for an ARB as a last resort, but have heard the air seals don't last very long if you're using the vehicle mostly on roads & highways, i.e. not mostly for offroading (typically far less mileage). Eaton does not make an E-Locker (selectable) for this Expedition, only their autolocker (not selectable), and I've heard bad things about the latter's behavior in onroad use. So has anyone found a selectable locker for this Expedition, other than an ARB?
And yet, the thread wandered off into space, with discussions about limited slip differentials, aftermarket and original, and about which Expedition models originally had these. It became very rancorous along the way. And, it may have been informative to some, but it doesn't seem to have been informative to you. I hate it when that happens.
I'm a newbie here now, as you were in 2018. I'm hoping that maybe you acquired some useful info elsewhere, about your original question. If so, I'd love for you to share that.
The 2017 I just bought may or may not have a limited slip differential, I haven't figured that out yet. But either way, I want a real locker that's selectable. I may settle for an ARB as a last resort, but have heard the air seals don't last very long if you're using the vehicle mostly on roads & highways, i.e. not mostly for offroading (typically far less mileage). Eaton does not make an E-Locker (selectable) for this Expedition, only their autolocker (not selectable), and I've heard bad things about the latter's behavior in onroad use. So has anyone found a selectable locker for this Expedition, other than an ARB?
mjp2
Full Access Members
My pile of to-be-installed parts includes a Detroit TruTrac (helical gear limited slip) for the rear and an Ox selectable locker for the front. Eaton also makes a selectable e-locker for the front 8.8.
As far as I've found the rear option is exactly what you've found. There are e-lockers for regular F150s but those are on the 8.8 rear. Raptors have selectable e-lockers in their 9.75 rears but they run a 35 spline count vs. the 34 spline count on our trucks.
The path I'm taking is rear LSD for on-road and light off road performance with a selectable front locker for those times when things get hairy. Not ideal but a decent compromise for my needs.
RodInPrescott
Member
Thanks mjp2, that's great info, and you've obviously done a lot of research. Pretty sure I have the 9.75 rear, and don't want to change gears, so the Eaton e-locker for a front 8.8 won't help me. I will look into the Ox that you'll be using for the front.
mjp2
Full Access Members
The Eaton 8.8 can run in your front diff and is considerably cheaper than the Ox. It's not as strong as the Ox locker but the IFS stub shafts are going to be the weak link in the system anyway so it's really a negligible difference.
Mike Islander
Member
I just put an ARB in my 2016 LE 2WD. It's 3.15 geared. No chance to really test it yet. Looking forward to getting stuck trying. Then I can use my Warne. 
Mike Islander
Member
I just put an ARB in my 2016 LE 2WD. It's 3.15 geared. No chance to really test it yet. Looking forward to getting stuck trying. Then I can use my Warne.
Tested today on some slick farm roads. Normally would blast through at high speed if at all. Rolling up I hit the compressor and the engage buttons (no speed limit on ARB locker engage/disengage). Tractored through at walking speed. so much fun I did it four times.
Feeling good about this expensive upgrade.
Mike Islander
Member
After a few months of driving in lots of mud, I came very close to getting stuck. It was in the same area as the above photo, but one that had an active drain running across the road after a huge rain. Hit the bog too slowly and finally had my locked rear end break loose. STUCK!
Wiggled forward and back and finally was able to back out, only to get stuck again entering a bit right of the original path. It looked far less slick, but I was stuck even more.
Aired down to 20 PSI (Michelin AT2 tires on rear) and was able to move a bit, but not much. Traction/stability control was pausing the engine, especially during reverse. This left me just at the edge of the berm in each direction instead of popping over or moving the berm.
Turned off Traction and Stability Control and was able to rock a bit then motor out! Note that you have to press the traction control icon for 5+ seconds to disable Traction AND Stability Control, which dramatically affects power delivery. Pressing button for less than 5 seconds only disables traction control, leaving the stability control babysitter to ruin your power delivery.
Wiggled forward and back and finally was able to back out, only to get stuck again entering a bit right of the original path. It looked far less slick, but I was stuck even more.
Aired down to 20 PSI (Michelin AT2 tires on rear) and was able to move a bit, but not much. Traction/stability control was pausing the engine, especially during reverse. This left me just at the edge of the berm in each direction instead of popping over or moving the berm.
Turned off Traction and Stability Control and was able to rock a bit then motor out! Note that you have to press the traction control icon for 5+ seconds to disable Traction AND Stability Control, which dramatically affects power delivery. Pressing button for less than 5 seconds only disables traction control, leaving the stability control babysitter to ruin your power delivery.
Correct. There is also Sport mode, which is 2 quick presses of the TC button.
Mike Islander
Member
No sport mode on my former rental car Limited. But no worries. Disable traction control and roll!
Axle code on the Door sticker will most likely tell you.
No, I am saying there is a TC Sport Mode. 2 quick presses of the TC button.
Mike Islander
Member
Not on my 2016. Two quick presses = standard TC on (off then on). Unless it is actually in sport mode but gives no indication. It says exactly the same thing as anytime I turn on TC from off.
Interesting! Our 2015 and 2017 did it. They were both 4x4 Limited's....
