2018 Expedition Elocker Conversion

Hello. Recently purchased a 2018 Expedition 2wd and have been researching some options to boost traction just a bit. The vehicle is the wife's DD 98% of the time however we use it to tow our boat and as feared it can get stuck on a wet boat ramp. A simple LSD would probably be fine but a locker would be better obviously.

I have an axle code of "15" which I believe translates into a 8.8 differential with 3.15 gears...open. Does this sound correct?

Here is the question: what is my best option here? I see lots of locker and lsd support aftermarket for these trucks and I was planning on going that route (but havent figured out acle spline counts or #of pinion gears ext). On a whim I found a used 3.73 9.75" diff on ebay with the e locker for 600 plus shipping. Seems like it would bolt right in right? My understanding is this is an LSD that uses an actuator to compress the clutch pack to full locker...is that right? I see 4 electrical connectors on this diff...I'm guessing ford didn't helpfully include those on my truck. Not sure what they all do but presumably one is power and probably sensors or traction control. I wonder what is really needed and how I might go about figuring that out.

So...long question short is it worth trying to sort out the wiring and fit this to my truck or just buy an after market locker? Perhaps I don't need any of the electronics on the elocker if the lsd works? I need JUST a little more traction.

Appreciate any advice from the experts here.

I thought the 2WD had the ELSD if equipped with the Tow Package? Others will jump in.

The ELSD that came from the factory can only be controlled electronically. It's default position is Open.

If you indeed do not have the ELSD, then a mechanical standard LSD would be your best choice. Not sure honestly what would fit.

Also remember, traction control still exists, which pulse brakes the spinning wheel to cause the wheel with traction to get power.

Here are the wiring schematics for the eLSD. It is power, ground and CAN. I think the second schematic is all wiring internal to the eLSD. It may be as simple as hooking up the wires and enabling eLSD and changing the axle ratio in forescan. A search for eLSD and HD tow on parts.ford.com would be good to ensure that no other electronic components have changed. You will find stuff related to the backup camera, but you should be able to ignore that since it is for the backup assist. It could also be a lot more complicated. You are in a new territory.

Here are the axle codes from the 2019 towing guide. I beleive the 2018’s are the same, so you would have a 3.31 non-limited slip. Is it a MAX length?

@LokiWolf 2018-2020’s 2wd’s had eLSD with HD tow package. This changed in 2021+. According to Ford, all or most expeditions come with tow package since they have a hitch.

Just trade it in for a hd tow eLSD expy. Prollly less of a head ache

Good stuff thanks. To clarify it does not have the max tow package. It is max length. I got a good deal on it and bought it knowing I might have to solve this issue. I was wondering about traction control. The reality is though if it is kicking in its not doing it well enough.

One followup question...does anyone have an opinion if I just throw the elocker in and ignore the electronics will the lsd work enough to gain some measured amount of torque? It's been a while but I recall LSDs used to be measured in break-away torque. In other words not all LSDs were equal. Some barely would engage and others would let you light up both tires.

Trading in to an HD tow is an option. However for what I saved it was worth it to buy a locker if I needed it.

If the factory e locker is too much of a hassle anyone have an after market suggestion? If so is there any magic way to verify if the 15 axle code translates to a 2 or 4 pinion diff or what the spline count is without pulling shafts?


Thanks again everyone.

The E-Locker is an open differential, just like your current 3:31, until the internal solenoid is electrically energized to engage the locking mechanism. At that point it is a completely locked differential. So no electrical connection, no change in operation, the elocker remains an open differential.

In a limited slip or Posi traction dif, both rear wheels are driven at the same time all the time except in turns, where the the system relies on the clutches in the dif to allow 1 wheel to turn slower because the inside and outside radius of the turn causes the inside and outside wheels need to rotate at different speeds. That is explained better in the first link below.

You can certainly cable up a switch to the dashboard to manually trigger the e-locker, or you can use either the standard LSD with clutches which require occasional maintenance or use and Eaton TruTrac which provides LSD functionality without electrical connections or clutch pack maintenance.

Brief Explanation of the 3 with 2 links below for more detained information. Whatever you do, don't use a Detroit Locker, which is why I left it off the options in the picture below.

wakeboarder said:

@LokiWolf 2018-2020’s 2wd’s had eLSD with HD tow package. This changed in 2021+. According to Ford, all or most expeditions come with tow package since they have a hitch.

Click to expand...

Thanks Wake! I was figuring you would have the details!

How heavy is the boat? Those ramps get so slimy that I used to need 4x4 with a small boat on most of my trucks because the ramps just got slimy with algae. The trucks all had poi's, but they often slipped both wheels on the slime.

Appreciate all this great info! Interesting there is a lot of info out there about the e locker having lsd too which I thought was odd. I'm pretty well versed in lockers and lsds so it sounds like I just need to get one installed.

Boat and trailer are about 7k lbs so it's not light. Totally agree in the right situation 4x4 could be needed. In my area ...AZ...I'm pretty familiar with the boat ramps and I was VERY close to making it with an open diff on what is probably the hardest one. In fact I probably could have made it aired down.

Appreciate all the help. I'm now convinced a direct diff swap probably isn't worth the trouble especially if I have to relearn the trans with new gears.

I'd certainly appreciate any recommendations on e lockers. I have to say this forum seems to have more knowledgeable folks than most I've read in the past. Thanks all.