I have read about differentials overheating. Is this a problem 'almost' exclusive to limited slip? My new vehicle will be used a great amount of time on steep 2 lane winding mountain roads. I would expect that would cause higher than normal wear.I have never needed a limited slip, but do plan on a lot of beach camping so will be buying a 4x4.Would I be better off with a air locker etc. How do the air lockers act on patchy snow/ice covered roads?I think adding a air locker after purchasing a limited slip truck would be a expensive way to go about things so any information on the air locker, such as lifespan vs a limited slip diff would be appreciated.I just would like to stress other than emergency like situation(unexpected mud or snow) my only purpose for the 4x4 would be a few miles of beach driving. Even in the beach camping, 4x4 is only needed on the first approach to the wet sand and the U-turn and approach to the campsite.I will be getting some sort of differential control and if I decide to camp deeper in the dunes I may install an air lock on the front.I believe it is Eaton that makes a electric locker. What do you guys know about those and other locker.Thanks in advance.

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-issueI 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.

open vs limited slip diferentials. | Good Sam Community

45 Replies

carringb
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
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.
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2014
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
Explorer III
Nov 15, 2014
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
hedge
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
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.
DaveF-250SD
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
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.

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open vs limited slip diferentials.

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