Yes to eLSD or No to eLSD on our next Expedition

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Anerbe

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There's no debate that lockers that connect with gears are more robust, and clutch type LSD/lockers are smoother but have higher risks of slippage. The responses I see are the potential failure points of clutch based and when gear lockers are preferred. That's not the intent of my posts.

I go back to my initial test: when the ELSD in the expedition is in locker mode, there was zero spin, not less spin or a faster transfer of power. True lockers immediately divides torque between the sides based on how much traction each side sees - there's no delay: it's physics. This is how my car reacted with the locker mode engaged - zero slip. Of course if I put the Expy in a much more harsh condition, the clutch can give way, but it acts as a true locker up until this point.
 

duneslider

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There's no debate that lockers that connect with gears are more robust, and clutch type LSD/lockers are smoother but have higher risks of slippage. The responses I see are the potential failure points of clutch based and when gear lockers are preferred. That's not the intent of my posts.

I go back to my initial test: when the ELSD in the expedition is in locker mode, there was zero spin, not less spin or a faster transfer of power. True lockers immediately divides torque between the sides based on how much traction each side sees - there's no delay: it's physics. This is how my car reacted with the locker mode engaged - zero slip. Of course if I put the Expy in a much more harsh condition, the clutch can give way, but it acts as a true locker up until this point.
Agreed, I would also say that if I was ordering a new expedition I would click the box, I think it is worth it. However, my experience has been that 4a is better than 2h and the eLSD. If I had to pick only one then I would take the 4 wheel drive. I am happy I have both.
 

Anerbe

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Agreed, I would also say that if I was ordering a new expedition I would click the box, I think it is worth it. However, my experience has been that 4a is better than 2h and the eLSD. If I had to pick only one then I would take the 4 wheel drive. I am happy I have both.
I agree I would rather have 4WD with open diffs vs. 2WD with ELSD in winter. If the conditions are the same on all 4 corners, you get 4x the tractive forces. 2WD will only be 2 at most. In deeper snow, if a tire isn't used for propulsion, it's added drag.
 
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JExpedition07

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4WD with open diffs over a locker only any day agreed. 4WD will take you a lot further since it’s sending torque to 4 wheels albeit equally to the weakest link on each axle. A locker can only do 2 at differing torque. This was Monday in 2 feet of snow. I was not stuck in the least, plowed itself right in there and pulled right out after I checked on the furnaces in 4H. I have open diffs. This is where that heavy boat anchor 5.4 comes in handy….a hunk of cast iron weighting that front axle down works wonders when the going gets bad.
 

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JExpedition07

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The joys of rental real estate.
If only I could get them leased!! Took a gamble doing “luxury” units in this area and the interest hasn’t been staggering. Wish my phone was ringing more.
 
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sjwelds

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4WD with open diffs over a locker only any day agreed. 4WD will take you a lot further since it’s sending torque to 4 wheels albeit equally to the weakest link on each axle. A locker can only do 2 at differing torque. This was Monday in 2 feet of snow. I was not stuck in the least, plowed itself right in there and pulled right out after I checked on the furnaces in 4H. I have open diffs. This is where that heavy boat anchor 5.4 comes in handy….a hunk of cast iron weighting that front axle down works wonders when the going gets bad.
Now we know why your trans went out lol
 

JExpedition07

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Now we know why your trans went out lol
This was after the trans debacle haha. It’s still limping around town and shifts once it warms up, when it’s cold it doesn’t want to. Haven’t had time to go truck shopping. I just towed the trailer behind it today actually.
 

wakeboarder

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It is too bad that Ford has already made the decision about 4wd only vs eLSD only for new Expeditions. ELSD only w/o 4wd is no longer an option.
 

Anerbe

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4WD with open diffs over a locker only any day agreed. 4WD will take you a lot further since it’s sending torque to 4 wheels albeit equally to the weakest link on each axle. A locker can only do 2 at differing torque. This was Monday in 2 feet of snow. I was not stuck in the least, plowed itself right in there and pulled right out after I checked on the furnaces in 4H. I have open diffs. This is where that heavy boat anchor 5.4 comes in handy….a hunk of cast iron weighting that front axle down works wonders when the going gets bad.
oh man you bring back memories: love the pictures!

The crap i got into with my 97 expedition 5.4 4x4 with the 3.73 LSD. The bumpers were all metal along with a beefy brush guard, begging it to be slammed into any accumulation of snow I could find. I remember getting out of it thru the rear hatch one time after plowing into a snow drift rising close to the mirrors.
 
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