Calidad
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Do you have one? I do and can for sure confirm the HD rear end which is the same one used in the max tow HD F150 is a locker.
Rear locker vs 4L
- Thread starter Armin
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Fizzy
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I have one, and it's 100% an electronic differential locker. And the manual page I linked in my other post plainly states it's an electronic locker.
Someone is confused.
The Expy has a electronic friction locker by apply pressure to the plates locking the two axles together. It does a good job for what you would use the Expy for. The F-150 has a pin locker. When engaged it slides pins into place to lock the two axles together. The pin lock is a better locker as it can only slip if the pin breaks.
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shane_th_ee
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If you go looking at parts.ford.com, I'm pretty certain the friction locker is hydraulically actuated, but electronically controlled. One of the key advantages of this setup over a traditional LSD is that the rotational difference between the axles can be controlled. So when you have it in "snow mode" and turn the steering wheel, the system can use the vehicle speed and steering position sensors to calculate and set the speed differential between the axle shafts. The advantage of this setup over a pin locker is that it maintains the limited slip function, whereas a traditional locking differential is either on or off. The real world advantage is that you can hand the keys to an inexperienced driver*, and just tell them to put it in snow mode and take it slow. The disadvantages are cost, complexity and heat buildup. I'm open to adding "full friction unable to keep the plates locked" once someone reports getting stuck due to this condition.
*or driver unwilling to invest the time to learn all the ins and outs of when to engage disengage a locker and the impact on handling characteristics.
Yes we all know that. But a lot of people do not consider the friction lock a true locker. This debate is all over different forums. And it can and will slip and over heat. Mine has overheated. Unless they have changed something on the new F-150 it is or was a pin lock. Not the same as the Expy. Referring to the 5 post above.
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Going_Going_Gone
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Every 2021 in the greater-Phoenix area with HD Towing has 3.73 non-limited slip (open) differential listed on the sticker
JExpedition07
That One Member
I had to climb a big snow dam plowed into a steep entrance yesterday. Maybe I didn’t “have” to aim dead center for the huge burr the city plow left but I did. Anyway I put it in 4x4 Low rolled the window and observed. Note the 3rd gens you cannot disable braking bias assist in 4WD. Even holding the button only rids the rev limiter. Every second or so the power switched from the passenger tire and my side would start spinning. Then another second would pass and the other side would spin etc. Ultimately it pulled up after a little sweat. I’d say the factory traction control rids the old saying open diffs are 2WD. The power was alternating between the 4 pretty evenly. Albeit switching back and forth. There was no traction to be had as it was all ice and snow, so it was a good showing of what the TC can do in this situation. Now I’d say in deep mud etc the TC probably hits its limit fast. It didn’t help me much in the Dutch a few weeks ago that’s for sure, that’s just too much pressure for braking to overcome.
Calidad
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Typically the ultimate fail in all these systems is the power cut and if or when it takes place. The typical AWD cars being the worst many don’t even have the off button which only just bumps the tire spin tolerances slightly, allowing for more spin before power gets cut. I haven’t had the Expedition in anything yet where that power cut nanny/ tolerance gets found out. One would hope that its far superior ie more tolerant of wheel spin vs the typical AWD SUV that generally become useless cut to idle once wheel spin is happening ie ice/mud/sand etc.
Expedition Dave
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I am sure the ELSD-Locker is "superior" to the F150 Pin-True Locker, though not a strong. The Expy is the more refined, gentrified F150--more feline and less--how do you say? Boorish 
IT also may depend on what your definition of "superior" means LOL.
I do not like the idea of the rear overheating. It would be nice if there was a larger diff case to hold extra fluid on the FX4 package and/or the HD towing package (are you listening Ford, your 30 customers want MOAR)!!
I wonder if an earlier than recommended fluid change would help the nannying sensor part of it? And if it is truly locked (even hydrollically) it should not generate additional heat (if really providing no slippage), unless the electric motor holding it clamped gets nervous from hanging on so long?
Q: Does the F150 w/pin locker also have limited slip in 2-4wd like the Expys?
IT also may depend on what your definition of "superior" means LOL.
I do not like the idea of the rear overheating. It would be nice if there was a larger diff case to hold extra fluid on the FX4 package and/or the HD towing package (are you listening Ford, your 30 customers want MOAR)!!
I wonder if an earlier than recommended fluid change would help the nannying sensor part of it? And if it is truly locked (even hydrollically) it should not generate additional heat (if really providing no slippage), unless the electric motor holding it clamped gets nervous from hanging on so long?
Q: Does the F150 w/pin locker also have limited slip in 2-4wd like the Expys?
“Superior...but not as strong”. I am really skinny for a fat guy. It’s plenty good for soccer moms and light duty. I use it way more than four wheel drive. But it is only a simulated locker. Add oversized tires and extreme condition and you will make it slip and over heat especially with prolonged use. And it defaults to an open diff. So as a locker, not so much. As a limited slip multi mode grocery getter, probably can’t beat it.
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shane_th_ee
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To be fair, the Expedition's ground clearance, approach, departure and break-over angles and poor water fording depth are all going to limit the Expedition off road long before the limits of the eLSD.
No doubt about it. I wish someone made a little bigger lift. Then you could really get places.
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wakeboarder
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Is there any indication that the eSLD is engaging if you don’t have it locked? Possibly the off road screen? I have a 2wd w/ HD tow, so I don’t have a lock button.
JExpedition07
That One Member
Most AWD vehicles aren’t truly 4x4 like the Expeditions and Suburbans are. The Pilots, Explorer, and Traverse for example have a PTU and can only send 25% or so to the rear wheels. Expeditions and all half tons have a transfer case, about 3-4 times the size of a PTU and chain/clutch driven with fat driveshafts. Usually 4x4 is a true indication of full 50/50 split capacity, AWD often isn’t and “half assed” if you will. It can get murky though, Subaru has a decent setup. Transfer cases are big and bulky, you really need a truck and some higher clearance to get real 4x4 in most cases. Again there are a few exceptions though.
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Calidad
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My Subaru CVT was hugely disappointing compared to my prior manual Subaru hence why I won’t own another Subaru as long as they are CVT. Subaru cuts power in a pretty aggressive way to prevent wheel spin with the CVT. 10 years stuck a few times in the ski resort parking lot till I removed snow from the tires so it would move
JExpedition07
That One Member
Yep, 4x4 like the Expedition has will always beat AWD by rule of thumb. It’s so much more useful to get 50/50 split via a bulky and locked in transfer case. No overheating clutch packs, no slippage, yada yada.
JExpedition07
That One Member
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.caranddriver.com/features/amp27630736/awd-vs-4wd/
“Here's a comparative analogy for understanding the similarities and differences between all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD): Miller Lite is to tequila as all-wheel drive is to four-wheel drive. Both are means to an end, but while beer and all-wheel drive are acceptable for everyday use (never at the same time, of course), tequila and four-wheel drive should be reserved for special occasions, when you need something stronger.”
“Here's a comparative analogy for understanding the similarities and differences between all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD): Miller Lite is to tequila as all-wheel drive is to four-wheel drive. Both are means to an end, but while beer and all-wheel drive are acceptable for everyday use (never at the same time, of course), tequila and four-wheel drive should be reserved for special occasions, when you need something stronger.”
We just had 8" of snow in Austin TX and below freezing temps for almost a week. Now plows meant roads were not cleared quickly. I live at the top of a hill and 4H (deep snow mode on Navigator) allowed me to climb the hill easily. I only had trouble going down hill once when it was very icy. I didn't try hill descent mode because I didn't think of it. I am not sure if it would have helped or hurt that situation. Overall, I was very impressed with the performance.
I do have the HD tow package with the eLSD.
I actually got 4WD and HD trow package for towing my boat. It sure came in handy this week for the snow.,
I do have the HD tow package with the eLSD.
I actually got 4WD and HD trow package for towing my boat. It sure came in handy this week for the snow.,
Expedition Dave
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After reading all of this, I really miss my first (1 of 5) "dumb" solid axle 1997 4x4 Expedition XLT with 2/AWD/4hi/4low... My first 4x4, first SUV, and first real off-roading.
I'll post some pics one day, but factory it was the tallest one ever produced with real metal bumpers, I think.
I'll post some pics one day, but factory it was the tallest one ever produced with real metal bumpers, I think.
carymccarr
Full Access Members
I have found that the most extreme setting (mud/ruts where you have to put navigator into neutral to engage) generally works less well than deep snow mode in, well, deep snow. There’s a whole bunch of programming and processing magic that happens in snow mode where as the more hardcore mode seems to try and use brute power which isn’t always best.
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