FordExcursions.com Forums
Bart Martin
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• Asheville, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 5/8/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
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 Posted:5/8/2003 21:04 |
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I am a new poster, although not new to forum. Have been checking out the threads for a couple of weeks. Seems like a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people here. I look forward to joining your community.
Here's my question(s). Am seriously considering purchasing new 2003 6.0 PSD Excursion 4x4. The Limited model that I want is now on the lot with the options I want, but the vehicle has the regular 3.73 axle instead of the 3.73 limited slip axle (a $250 option).
1) What is the difference?
2) Which is better? I don't tow now, but will likely be towing in the 7000-8000 lb range with this vehicle in the forseeable future on a every other weekend basis.
3) What should I buy? Considering not only my current and future needs, but potential future sale of the vehicle.
Not relevant, but I currently drive a 1998 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4.
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:5/8/2003 22:37 |
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| Quote: | I am a new poster, although not new to forum. Have been checking out the threads for a couple of weeks. Seems like a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people here. I look forward to joining your community.
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Glad to have you aboard, Bart!
| Quote: | Here's my question(s). Am seriously considering purchasing new 2003 6.0 PSD Excursion 4x4. The Limited model that I want is now on the lot with the options I want, but the vehicle has the regular 3.73 axle instead of the 3.73 limited slip axle (a $250 option).
1) What is the difference?
2) Which is better? I don't tow now, but will likely be towing in the 7000-8000 lb range with this vehicle in the forseeable future on a every other weekend basis.
3) What should I buy? Considering not only my current and future needs, but potential future sale of the vehicle. |
Limited slip is a device installed in your rear differential that enables both rear wheels to be powered simultaneously. An open differential (no limited slip) delivers power to one wheel at a time. If you have an open differential with the right rear tire on ice and the left rear tire on pavement, your right rear tire will spin and your vehicle will not move (if you don't have it in 4x4). Open differentials deliver power to the wheel that slips the most. If you drive in an environment where there's snow, where you need traction (i.e. dirt roads, gravel, offroading, etc), go with the limited slip. In the situation I just described, the limited slip would deliver equal power to both of those rear wheels and although one is on ice, the other would still have power delivered to it and would enable you to move ahead.
Just FYI, the other type of traction device is called a locker. It's more commonly found in an aftermarket vehicle as the dealers don't offer them as an option...it's a much more aggressive traction device.
In the grand scheme of things, $250 on a $40K vehicles is not a big deal and I would highly recommend it. It doesn't hurt your mileage, towing ability, etc. I live in MN and deal with snowy roads all the time in the winter, I also use my X for hunting and use it on dirt/muddy roads, so traction is a major importance for my vehicle. I wouldn't have bought my X if it didn't have the limited slip.
Good luck with your decision!
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:5/9/2003 09:18 |
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Welcome 
i agree with Eric,limited slip is a must.works well on rainy roads.i would never own a vehichle without limited slip.
mike
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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Bart Martin
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• Asheville, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 5/8/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
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Posted:5/9/2003 18:30 |
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Thanks Eric and Mike,
I think I will wait a few months and order the exact vehicle I want, WITH the LSD. I can count on light to medium ice and snow around 5 - 8 times during the winter, but more importantly I want better traction on wet roads year round as I will drive in 2wd 98% of the time.
Eric, I would like to know more about the locker. It is unlikely I will do much modification of the vehicle during the next year or two, but I may get into it eventually. Reading these threads, it's hard not to get excited about it. Lots of enthusiasim here.
Thanks for the welcome.
Bart |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:5/9/2003 20:04 |
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| Quote: | | Eric, I would like to know more about the locker. It is unlikely I will do much modification of the vehicle during the next year or two, but I may get into it eventually. Reading these threads, it's hard not to get excited about it. Lots of enthusiasim here. |
Hi Bart,
The locker will deliver equal power to the wheels. It is designed for hard-core applications that need gearing to "lock" the traction control instead of clutch packs like a limited slip. Clutch packs will wear out over time. A locker, since it is gear driven, will not wear out like a limited slip will. There's also the durability and strength issues...I had front and rear lockers on my Bronco when I was into offroading. If you want traction to your wheels, this is the traction device that is best.
However, lockers do have their side effects...when they disengage, you will hear a loud bang from the differential as the locker disengages. Since there's no clutch packs for it to easily disengage (i.e. your traction device needs to disengage on turns so that the outer-most wheel can spin faster than the inner-most wheel), it makes for a noiser, less "fluid" operation. It's just not silky smooth and for that reason, I would not recommend it for a daily driver.
ARB makes a locker that you can engage/disengage on-the-fly. It uses an air compressor that allows you to engage the locker when you want to use it. When you don't want to use it, the differential functions like an open differential. It's a little price.
My recommendation would be to stick with the limited slip. While you can get used to the operation of a locker in a daily driver, it is somewhat annoying. I'd spend your money elsewhere on the X because the drivetrain will be rock solid. I have been very impressed with its ability to handle itself offroad, in deep snow, etc. I can do virtually anything with my X and that's what I love most about it! Have fun waiting a few months. When I found the X I wanted, I had to have it!!!
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:5/9/2003 22:11 |
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Eric
what year Bronco did you own?i have built 5 early Broncos,the last one with a 427 side oiler.(insane  )ever meet Jim Duff(duffy)the Bronco guru in Squim,WA?
sorry if i highjacked this thread.
mike
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:5/10/2003 11:01 |
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| Quote: | Eric
what year Bronco did you own?i have built 5 early Broncos,the last one with a 427 side oiler.(insane )ever meet Jim Duff(duffy)the Bronco guru in Squim,WA?
sorry if i highjacked this thread.
mike |
Mike,
I had a full-size '91 Bronco. Man did I ever dump a lot of money into that thing. Was always involved in trailrides with other full-size owners, never did go wheeling with an early Bronco. Never met Jim Duff.
Here's my registry entry for my Bronco:
http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/index.php?vID=6
Did you build any of the early broncos for yourself?
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:5/10/2003 21:19 |
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Eric
i built everything myself(with my own hands)
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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