F150 Locking Differential vs 4X4

I will take Eaton Truetrac over any factory locker or clutch limited slip.
Install front and rear for best results. :B

Hey Smitty,
Well, you and I have had our share of communications on various RV related topics, that's for sure. Let me throw in my two cents, if you'll allow me to. First off, and I'll catch a bit of flack for this, Ford, unknowingist of some of its clientele, has had some issues with that Powertech V-6. I did a bit of research and, it seems there's been a few BAD V-6 engines. A buddy just had his towed into the Ford dealer here in Havasu due to one of the rods went right through the block on the way here.

He'd had some noises emitting from the engine on his '13 year F-150 and, the dealer in Temecula was himming and hawing on just what to make of the noises. They called the MFG and, they too did some of the same himming and hawing. They told him to drive it while they thought about it. So, he was on his way here and the noises became a serious issue.

Well, the dealer here in Havasu stated to him there's been several of these types of incidents with the V-6 F-150 engine. The two truck driver said he's brought many of them in for the same catastrophic engine failures. When my buddy inquired about them at the Temecula dealer, they denide any knowledge of any engine issues on those models.

So, just how many have actually had issues, based on how many made, I can't answer that but, it's just maybe something for a tech dude like you to consider.

As for 2WD vs 4WD, well, I got my own opinion on that. Chevy and Dodge has allowed their 4x4s, in the 1/2 ton versions to be flat towed for decades. But Ford, in its infinite wisdom, did not allow any of it's 4x4s to be flat towed until the 2012 model year. Not that it makes any difference to you, if you plan on purchasing new so, take that for what it's worth.

I've read a few zillion threads on the driveshaft disconnect and, a very large percentage of the folks that have had them in the past, will NOT HAVE THEM AGAIN!! Some of the primary reasons were because:
1. Re-engaging the disconnect after towing in rainy, potentially muddy conditions, would present a very, very difficult time re-engaging due to clogged splines. Many had to get under their vehicles and clean those splines completely, before re-engagement was accomplished.
2. Many reported vibrations in drivelines due to, too many possibilities of imbalance problems stemming from slop in the driveline system.
3. Cable issues also due to gumming up from road grime etc.

Now, I cannot attest to any of these, it's only what I've read, a few times over. Companies are still selling them and, folks are putting them on so, obviously some of those issues may or may not be still present.

Your statements resales/less maintenance/less operating costs etc. could and, knowing you, most likely have merit. I will throw this out to you. We've now owned our present toad, an '11 GMC Sierra 1500 Extra Cab 4x4 with the 5.3L for about 3 years and have towed it for quite a few thousand miles. All without one issue. And many, many of those miles were with that truck carrying our Honda Goldwing (900 lbs. worth) in the back of it.)

The procedure for prepping it for towing is seconds worth. The newer F-150s ('12 and above) have just a step or two more than what we have to do).

The mileage between what we get and a 2WD version of the same truck is almost negligeable (I have couple of friends who have the 2WD version of our truck). Based on just how much we drive, and to where, if there was any difference in mileage, it made no difference to us when we were looking.

But what did influence us was/is the fact that the 4WD versions can be flat towed, right out of the box, with no aftermarket additions or, alterations. These trucks, be it a Ford, Dodge or Chevy, are so refined now that, the maintenance requirements, while are still needed, are waaaaaaaaay down from yesteryear, in terms of certain items/components.

I don't know if any of this info has helped you or not. But, I'd give a 4x4 some serious thought before you nix it in the lineup. Take care Pal.
Scott

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.

I don't know about the percentage numbers. I did have a '97 F150 with limited slip. Drove it in/out of a dirt road, actually across pasture, to our hunting cabin a number of times when it was sloppy mud. Slow going sometimes, but never got stuck. It was flat nearly to the cabin. But could not go up the gentle slope last 30 yards to the cabin.

I do have 4x4 now, but very rarely ever use it, mud, snow, or ice.

As others have stated two wheel drive trucks get stuck easily. Electric locking differential will help but still easy to get stuck. I have had both and the four wheel drive will always win out for me. You did not talk adout the other advantage of a four wheel drive being the low range. There are times when having the ability to go really slow with lots of power is a real advantage. I have never regretted having the ability to use four wheel drive. It is always good to have options.

One of the problems with PUs is they are light on the rear wheels. Not as light as years ago when the gas tank was in the cab but they are still light on the rear wheels. It is easier to get stuck with a 2WD PU than with a sedan. Resale on a 4WD is much higher. I suspect mostly urban buyers get a 2WD PU anymore. The big issue like mentioned is towing. By the time you had the Remco axle disconnect the price would probably be about the same so why add all the after market stuff that probably won't bring more resale value.

I would never buy a 2WD PU again. a 4WD vehicle is just more practical.

BTW: When I brought a 2WD diesel PU from CA to WY they didn't even want to give me fair market value. The only reason they gave me much trade in at all was because it was a 7.2L diesel. Nobody wants them anymore.

j-d wrote:
More commonly than not, probability of a truck being towable:

1. Manual Transmission or Manually Shifted 4*4 Transfer Case with Neutral

2. 4*4 with Electronic Transfer Case that can be shifted to Neutral

3. (probably not) 2WD automatics

4. (definitely not) AWD trucks (vs 4*4)

This is an Owner's Manual exercise. The differential in the 2WD won't help a non-towable transmission whether Open, LS, or Locker. And, 4*4 won't help if you can't get the TC into Neutral.

Read the Manual. Don't take salesperson's word!

Remco Drive Shaft Disconnect was the plan, if not 4X4 with a Neutral TC available - I should have been more specific, when I tried to cover I understood other equipment may be needed:)!

Oh why not just 4X4? A bit lower costs, a bit lower resell too. A better ride, and a little lower step in height. And a bit better MPG. And a bit less maintenance. And depending upon region, 2WD can have higher resale the 4X4. (And for sure the other way too, where in the right region, 4X4 are much higher in demand then 2WD.)

Should have explained that the reason from going out of an AWD Honda CRV Toad, to the F150 Extended Cab with the longest bed available, is to get a mint more space to haul things while out on the road for extended periods. I'd add a shell, and I thing a slide out bed. While I have good storage in our 40' coach, we also are thinking of getting a inflatable kayak, and the DW would like the bikes in out of the weather/dirt while traveling. The F150 would be our explore the area vehicle, and 98% of that is on non dirt roads...

Thanks for your explanation above, as it is good info!

Smitty

More commonly than not, probability of a truck being towable:

1. Manual Transmission 2WD or Manually Shifted 4*4 Transfer Case with Neutral

2. 4*4 with Electronic Transfer Case that can be shifted to Neutral

3. (probably not) 2WD automatics

4. (definitely not) AWD trucks (vs 4*4)

This is an Owner's Manual exercise. The differential in the 2WD won't help a non-towable transmission whether Open, LS, or Locker. And, 4*4 won't help if you can't get the TC into Neutral.

I would not give 2WD locker 90+% of 4WD capablilty. Because 2WD pickups, especially those with four-door cabs, are very front-heavy. Hard for the lightly loaded rear axle to push a non-powered front axle through sand or mud. To pull a boat up a paved ramp, maybe.

Read the Manual. Don't take salesperson's word!

In a way, I shouldn't reply because I've never owned and 2WD and never will so I can't speed to 2WD capabilities. I always want to go one hill further, or one mud hole farther to see over the next hill. We tow a Jeep Wrangler and would have missed a lot of sightseeing if we hadn't had 4WD.

Bill