open vs limited slip diferentials.

I would recommend you get a factory limited slip axle on your 4x4. Air lockers are expensive, and can be less reliable than the factory limited slip units. You mention adding an air locker to a vehicle that already has a limited slip differential. That would not be necessary, as they both achieve the same purpose. Unless you are talking about adding the air locker to the front differential, which would not be needed, as the vehicle will not be used for extreme off roading, i.e. rock climbing, etc.

My 2012 Ford F350 has a locker in the rear from the factory, pretty sure it's electric actuated so at least I have 3wd if I need it. I prefer to have control of it, I've never been a huge fan of limited slip in the winter. It can make both rear wheels break loose on ice.

Just buy a 4X4 truck factory equipped and stop reading 4X4 magazines/off-road forums etc.

If truck is not overloaded/exceeding it's ratings then rear differential will be a non-issue

Understand a 4X4 with open third members is really a 4X2. And no better than a 4X2 with limited slip. A 4X4 with a limited slip rear end is actually a 4X3.to get tfue 4X4 you need some form of locked axles on both ends.

Old-Biscuit wrote:

If truck is not overloaded/exceeding it's ratings then rear differential will be a non-issue

I have Limited Slip with aggressive pre-load, and I do have to watch my diff temps. It does get hotter on twisty climbs vs straight climbs. Normally it stay 10F hotter than the transmission, but on twisty climbs it will be 30-40F hotter than the trans. I have only had to pull over climbing out of Death Valley, but there's been a few other climbs where I got close maxing out the gauge at the summit.

I do prefer limited slip in winter weather vs a locker, because a fully locked differential sometimes makes the rear end squirrely. Limited slip seems to work just fine in sand. Rock crawling is where a locker makes the biggest difference.

My experience with limited slip in the winter. On an icy patch....sometimes the traction assist can get 'confused' and transfer power back and forth...vainly looking for the wheel with traction.

I've had experience with with an automatic locker. I have found (my experience)....on occasion, if you hit some glare ice (some call it black ice) and the locker cuts in....the drive wheels, both get power and when they spin together, can fishtail very quickly...can be dangerous. An 'automatic' locker concerns me, as the operator (me) has little control over when you want to lock up your axle and when you want an 'open' (non traction assist) axle. This has been my experience on occasion, not common, but it has happened. Other's experience maybe different.

I've never used a locker where the operator can 'switch' the locker on and off. If the operator control is good, this appeals to me. I would prefer to have manual control...through some kind of switch/lever....that enables me to use a locker ...only when I deem it necessary....and also the ability to use the drive axle as an open axle, when I want to.

I don't know if this is how the ARB locker works...perhaps those that have used them will respond to your question.

Also, you don't want to put a locker or other traction control device in the front drive axle in a 4WD. Can cause some steering issues in ice/snow situations. Or so I've heard.

DaveF-250SD wrote:
I would recommend you get a factory limited slip axle on your 4x4. Air lockers are expensive, and can be less reliable than the factory limited slip units. You mention adding an air locker to a vehicle that already has a limited slip differential. That would not be necessary, as they both achieve the same purpose. Unless you are talking about adding the air locker to the front differential, which would not be needed, as the vehicle will not be used for extreme off roading, i.e. rock climbing, etc.

Good advice......

However - having seen BL's other posts, he needs to elaborate on
what type of vehicle he's talking about..:R..:W

IMO - may dramatically change replies and opinions..;)

~

I've owned several limited slips and never had one overheat or fail.

Have you looked at Power Wagons? They come with front and rear selectable lockers. Good stuff.

BTW - with newer Traction control systems, the electronic torque biasing works well enough for winter weather. It does this by applying the brakes only to the wheel with less traction. However, it doesn't work well in super deep stuff or black ice. That's when limited slip works better. For most driver's, the electronic systems are probably sufficient. Even for limited sand use it works OK, but for aggressive sand driving it will overheat the brakes.