Newbie question about 3.73 locking rear axle on F250 4x2

If you spin the wheels on an extremely slick surface, both will spin on a posi just like a locker.
Guess that's why the Fords have a switch, for those that don't know what to do with a locker. Don't buy a GM, those axles lock up automatically when wheels spin. Great feature unless you'd rather be stuck or don't know how to handle it.

Strange, always wondered why on earth some trucks actually came with open diffs, even to this day, but very rarely. Now I know.

Also, don't use an exhaust brake and god forbid, don't drive a vehicle without ABS, traction control and stability control. Them things are death traps without those features that keep ya from going in the ditch!

Grit dog wrote:

To those naysaying it (free ice cream here would have naysayers btw, either due to lactose intolerance, political affiliation or a senseless reason, lol) you've never driven an open diff truck and been sitting with the no traction wheel spinning and the traction wheel doin nothin but looking pretty!

I have. I'm not an offroader, just sometimes want a little help getting out of a slick spot. My limited experience with a rear locker constantly going sideways on ice made me want to stick with a limited slip instead.

I wish Ford would offer an Eaton Truetrac. I would pay twice what they get for a locker.

"The electronic locking differential can provide additional traction should your vehicle become stuck. "
Lol, is Ford now having their specs written in a foreign language and then poorly translated to Engrish?

Maybe engage the locker BEFORE you get stuck. Most stucks aren't instantaneous. Yer hopin' for a bit that your don't get stuck before it happens!
To the OP, yes it's a great feature. Had 2 F250s with the e locker.
It ain't 4wd (obviously), but helps as much as any locker in a low traction situation, which is alot.
To those naysaying it (free ice cream here would have naysayers btw, either due to lactose intolerance, political affiliation or a senseless reason, lol) you've never driven an open diff truck and been sitting with the no traction wheel spinning and the traction wheel doin nothin but looking pretty!

Well, I can tell you from some experience if you're on a slick slightly cambered road and one rear wheel is spinning, all locking the rear diff will do is spin both wheels and put you in a ditch! :E

unless they have electronic overrides for stability control stuff nowadays.

I have it on my 2011 Silverado 1500 LS 4x2 and don't even notice it. I leave it on all the time. I have that turns it off,but don't use it.

Just to play I often engage my electronic locking diff after backing out of my garage in the snow if the truck slips trying to pull forward. I don't think it has ever offered enough additional traction to get me going. I need to engage the 4wd. I guess when one rear tire is on better ground than the other it can potentially make the difference but don't expect much.

I would also recommend not for any pavement wet or dry unless you experience loss of traction.

read your owners manual, page 221

The electronic locking differential can provide additional traction should your vehicle become stuck. You can activate the differential electronically and shift it on the fly within the differential operating speed range. The differential is for use in ice, snow, mud, rocks, sand, or any off-road condition where you need maximum traction. It is not for use on dry pavement.

• In 4x2 or 4x4 High modes (any gear on 2WD), the electronic locking differential will automatically disengage at speeds above 25 mph (41 km/h) and will automatically reengage at speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h).

• The AdvanceTrac system has the ability to take over control of the electronic locking differential and disable it during driving maneuvers when necessary.