F150 Locking Differential vs 4X4

I recently got a 2015 F-150 with the v-6 eco. 4x4 and it has a button to push for the locker. Putting on the blue ox base plate was a breeze. It tows fine.

If at all possible I would drive a truck with a locking differential(s). I had a 1977 F150 full time 4WD truck with both front and rear electric locking differentials. It was a beast off road, but nearly impossible to turn with both differentials locked.

It was even tough to make a turn with only the rear differential locked. With the rear differential locked it seemed like it took 40 acres to turn the thing around. With both the front and rear locked it seemed more like 80 acres to make a full circle.

It was almost impossible to stop when plowing snow. It could push the snow into a pile then climb the pile. I loved the truck, but it was somewhat impractical. The best mileage it ever got was 11 mpg. When working and off road it was closer to 8 mpg. In bad weather it was in it's glory. It could pass everything on the road except a gas station.

With limited slip, replacing the clutch packs fairly frequently is a must. As well as using the right friction modified differential oil.

The story of the Bronco with locked rear wheels, and the mention to Traction Control matches the input I received form my desert buddy. I suspect that 2WD with he electronic locking rear end would cover our needs well. And while I don't carry chains, I do have a set of plastic tire straps/chains for our CRV. Have never needed them, but lightweight low space taking added insurance. I'll get a set for whatever truck we end up with.

No question that 4X4, with the added advantage of a Low Gearing set, would provide the maximum 'getting stuck' avoidance:)!

This will be a 2017 final choice for us. Seeing this newer era for F150 4X4 does not come with such a big hit on MPG as in the past, helps me feel comfortable that this would be a viable choice. I may have mentioned this before, but it may just come down to the first clean used well priced truck that comes up when I start my search:)! As long as it has either the Electric Locking 2WD option, or 4X4 - I'd probably be good to go. V8 5.0 would be fine too, and by 2017 I'd have more time to see how the ECO Boost V6 is doing.

I again thank you all for you input. Best to all,
Smitty

2WD(RWD!) with TC, Traction Control, summer tires, a set of quick/easy install tire chains at the ready.

Most TC versions have "virtual" limited slip using differential braking.

Tow dolly, rear wheels off the road.

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
I had 2 2WD Trucks, an 87 and a 91. I did get stuck, but going where I shouldn't have been going. Also, changing tires did help in the snow. Would I buy a 2WD truck again? Sure, price is right, and all I wasn't planning anything needing 4X4.

2 wheel drive trucks can have amazing traction when properly equipped. I had a 1987 Ford Bronco many years ago. Although it was technically 4 wheel drive it did have manual locking hubs that required the driver to get out and engage.

I was towing a 2 ton trailer across an open field when both the truck and the trailer started sinking in. I realized I needed to lock the hubs and put it in 4wd if I was going to get out. I got out of the cab, locked in the hubs, put it back in gear and slowly slogged through the mud. It was slow going, but no problem getting through. When I got over 1/2 a mile back to the pavement I got out and unlocked the hubs. When I got back in to put it back in 2 wheel drive I realized I'd never had it in 4 wd. A mile out and back through mud over the axles in 2 wheel drive and it didn't have any trouble what so ever.

I didn't realize how deep the mud was until I got back to the house. There was mud over the top of the front axle and around the transmission. The crash shield under the transmission acted as a plow and pushed mud around the case, the tail shaft and into the drive shaft tunnel. It took over a week with a pressure to get several hundred pounds of mud of the underside of the truck.

Nice choice in trucks. Go with the 4X4 and the V8. I like the eco boost V6, It runs great and is fast as a scalded cat. It has twin turbos and wait until you trash one or both of those. The repair costs are expensive. It will probably meet your towing needs without a whole lot left over regarding power. An Eco Boost V6 is Definitely a fun truck to drive tho.

Thank you all for your input! This will be a 2017 decision, looking for a lightly used 2016 model year. Will validate that the Eco Boost of that year has had the bugs worked out that Scott cautioned on. I did do a bit more looking on the Ford site, and was surprised to see the MPG hit between 2WD and 4X4 was not as much as my memory was of years passed. Same on the bump up to the 5.0. While I know these are the EPA MPG ratings, that usually are higher then real world usage, the hit for both the 4X4 and 5.0 combined, was not as much as my memory was of 70's and 80's just 4X4 MPG hit were.

I'm also doing the math on just adding a locking differential to my lightly used 2008 F150 4.6 with just over 6K on it, a real garage queen! (This would be the least expensive way to go, and I've set this truck up to be a gentleman around town truck... slick Crager style 18" wheels, dynamat sound suppression on the floor and inside the doors of the cab, and good sound system mods too.)

So will do some more thinking on this, and see which way the wind blows in 2017!

Best to all,
Smitty

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here... payload is less on a 4 wheel drive due to the additional running gear. If you're one of those who needs every pound of payload capacity, that's a reason in favor of 2 wheel.

One caveat on that... it's been a couple of years since I looked at that so verify for yourself if payload is a factor for you.

Buy the 4x4 with the engine you want and configure it for flat towing per the owner's manual. Happy camping.