Do ya miss having Limited Slip rear end?

[ThwopKing]

I am a noob to the site but figured I would start my introduction with a question that may be stopping me from getting a Expy.

I have a 03 tahoe now and really a die hard Ford guy. Ive had 2 broncos,2 tb super coupes, 9 mustangs, a 5.0 explorer, explorer sport trac,escape,mazda B4000,90 escort and a 80 Fiesta...so yeah I like my fords lol. I tried to find a Expy I wanted before I picked up the Hoe but I just couldnt find one. I wasnt a big fan of low ride height and the IRS. I have looked at a few lifts and 350 bucks and i can fit 34's...sure thats good enough for me. The MPG's are a slightly less than the Tahoes but 1-2mpg's. The really big short coming for me is the lack of Rear limited slip. Sure some get by without and we dont get HUGE amounts of snow here but what we do get sticks around a long time because snow prep and removal here BLOWS!

With my tires on my Tahoe theres been times i get by in 2wd just because of the limited slip. so do you guys miss it? Im looking at 07-09 used models at the moment but if things change for the better i may consider a used Raptor if I find one for the right price...after all the mpg's arent MUCH different than the Expy. So let me know what ya think folks.

Thanks, Vince

 

[toms89]

Ford calls theirs traction lock. Have it in both my mustang and expedition.

 

[TexasAngel34]

Have it on mine also... 1st generation

 

[timberwoof]

Ok can you explain traction lock real quick. And can anybody tell me what models had an LSD compatible with a 2006 2wd.

 

[toms89]

Ok can you explain traction lock real quick. And can anybody tell me what models had an LSD compatible with a 2006 2wd.

Fords name for their limited slip differential. Cannot tell you which models came with it for the various years and which it was available as an option.

 

[FordandPolaris]

It depends on the axle code that is on the door plate. This is a link to a thread that explains the meaning of each of the axle codes

http://www.expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=11415&highlight=axle+ratio

Mine is H6 on my 97. Unfortunately i cannot say for certain how to tell in advance what axle the expy will have without actually seeing the truck in person and checking the code... Hope it helps somewhat.

 

[ThwopKing]

Traction lock...limited slip..posi traction..call it what you will but it only came on first gen expy's. Im looking at 07 and up 2nd gens which never offered it. You can tell if you have by looking on your rear diff it will have an "L" in between the numbers on the tag. It keeps the rear tires turning at close tot he same speed when traction is needed..otherwise you get one wheel peel....one tire spinning under power.

 

[alaskanexpy]

i had heard with the traction control it was not as much of a issue? i still personally love it! my expy has it and my explorer/f-250 have it. my excursions, none of them have had a LS which i really wish they did as in winter time i get one front/one rear spinning and gotta let off. but it can be fixed by the aftermarket also. it would not stop me from buying if thats what your asking.

 

[GAINMOB]

2nd gens had traction control opt

 

[sgtowing]

Traction lock...limited slip..posi traction..call it what you will but it only came on first gen expy's. Im looking at 07 and up 2nd gens which never offered it. You can tell if you have by looking on your rear diff it will have an "L" in between the numbers on the tag. It keeps the rear tires turning at close tot he same speed when traction is needed..otherwise you get one wheel peel....one tire spinning under power.

Not trying to be an a$$ but you are misinformed. I have the limited slip on mine and its an 05 EB 4x4 and I had seen it on other 2nd gens when I was looking. I don't have snow in fl but I do have plenty of rain and have never had a one wheel peel. It even sent me fishtailing a little when I first got it because I hit the gas a little to hard in the rain.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[FordandPolaris]

Yeah my Old Man drives an 04 expy, and it also has a LSD.

 

[tonydiv]

Ok here's a quick and dirty lesson on traction 'systems' for lack of a better term.

Limited slip differentials are old, mechanical technology. New electronic systems are smart, they can send varying amounts of power to each individual wheel on a 4 wheel drive truck. In order to do this, the vehicle needs to have open differentials as well as a non-locking center differential (transfer case, if you will), as they use brake force to help distribute the power. For most driving, these systems are far superior to a simple LSD.

Land Rover has used this type of system for many years, and everyone knows that an off the shelf Rover can go places that virtually no other stock truck can.

Now if you are in to hard core wheeling, you don't want either of these two systems. You need lockers (or selectable lockers). Of course, if you're a hard core wheeler, you have no business in an expedition.

 

[limited4x4expy]

My 05 limited has 3.73 limited slip, and It can do a good posi burnout, check out my video on here! I would just check the code inside the door , and you will know what it has.

 

[ThwopKing]

yeah sorry guys....posting late at night and i was wrong. the first run of 2ns gens did have lsd as an option. I "think" when they added advance trac they dropped the lsd option. Tony you are correct in 4wd having better locking diffs does help...but in 2wd on slippery/icy/snowy surfaces limited slip is hard to beat. As far as the years im looking at, 07 and up,limited slip was not offered. Sure i could buy a locking diff and swap it in...at several hundred dollars once its all said and done...thats a big chunk of change.

 

[sgtowing]

yeah sorry guys....posting late at night and i was wrong. the first run of 2ns gens did have lsd as an option. I "think" when they added advance trac they dropped the lsd option. Tony you are correct in 4wd having better locking diffs does help...but in 2wd on slippery/icy/snowy surfaces limited slip is hard to beat. As far as the years im looking at, 07 and up,limited slip was not offered. Sure i could buy a locking diff and swap it in...at several hundred dollars once its all said and done...thats a big chunk of change.

If you do that though, then you know the rearend has been done and should not give you any problems.

 

[mindgame]

Now if you are in to hard core wheeling, you don't want either of these two systems. You need lockers (or selectable lockers). Of course, if you're a hard core wheeler, you have no business in an expedition.

Can't argue with that!!

 

[toms89]

Thats interesting Tony. Did not realize the newer expys now only came with traction control and open differentials. Makes sense though. Sounds like it would be preferable to traction lock.

Traction lock is effective at making sure both wheels get power but this is not always good while turning in slippery conditions. Can lead to severe oversteer. (2wd)

 

[ThwopKing]

Traction lok doesnt mess with turning in slippery conditions as long as you know the most basic driving skills. All of this may be out the window anyway....i hate to say it but i may be going to test drive a new grand cherokee...they are dealing pretty good on the things around here.

 

[Dib52]

RSD AdvanceTrac, that's the system in the 07 and up. I will say it'll get your attention if you pull out in front of someone and hit the throttle hard and slip a wheel. Then the electronic gadgets take over and you see the traction icon on the dash flashing at you like you did something wrong. Then the worst part, you continue to hit the throttle and NOTHING! Now you have visions of the accident flashing through your head and at the last moment, power comes back to you and you get the hell outta there. Yep, been there. I've learned to live with it.
Back to the origional question, I'd love to have a LS.

 

[DF5.4]

I have the AdvanceTrac with RSC in mine and would love to have an LS. I agree that if you know how to drive and pay attention to what you are doing the LS isn't a problem. You have power going to the ground. The RSC takes power away when it senses any wheelspin. In a lot of conditions I've been in off paved roads the AdvanceTrac works pretty good. If you're going relatively slow and don't want a wheel to start spinning. I've been in some mud in 4 low and it turns off the traction control to keep the tires turning. I'm not sure how the electronics handle that but I got through it. I am thinking about the e-locker like on the Raptor. Keep it off for the normal driving. Let the AdvanceTrac do it's thing in most conditions. Then be able to lock the rear diff when I need it. I also hate it when pulling into traffic and a wheel starts to spin (usually in rain) and the traction control kicks in. If you are not ready for it you will feel like a sitting duck until the electronics decide you have enough control to continue. Usually when its raining I put the truck in 4Auto. It locks the front end first. Then then uses the AdvanceTrac if things are still slipping.

Last year I had the truck on the track at Watkins Glen for their opening day. I came down the back straight into the inner loop with no problem. About 3/4 of the way through the outer loop the electronics must have thought I needed help because a got on the gas the head into the boot and it wouldn't accelerate. I looked down and had the TC icon in the message center. Once I was out of the outer loop the icon went off and I could keep going. That was on a dry track. You can't turn the AdvanceTrac off completely. When you are above 25 MPH it is activated until you drop below 25. I was well above 25 MPH. A friend of mine was behind me and said he almost ran into me coming out of the outer loop.