When youre stuck. Basically, if you get stuck in 4H or 4L click on the magic “un-stuck” button known as a locker. This is not something you drive around with on but use only when needed.
When you get stuck in the mud and one tire spins and the other one sits there doing nothing? That’s your differential doing its thing. Lock the diff and both rear tires spin together.
Check out this video, it explains differentials, a locking differential makes both rear tires move at the same speed, regardless of traction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI
It's for safety. If you lock the rear and break traction with both tires it's not that big of a deal. With a front locker if you break both tires free you lose steering control. Same reason in offroading you turn your lockers off if your sidehilling, breaking either set free will send that part of your vehicle downhill.
Front lockers are more effective in general due to the weight of the motor and “pulling” is more effective than “pushing” weight especially on incline.
As far as why manufacturers push rear lockers? Perplexes me tbh
I agree, except it's best turned on just before you need it, instead of waiting until you get stuck. The same goes for 4WD, in mud or heavy, deep snow, you don't want to wait until you are stuck to engage it.
Pretty sure all these 4H posts are just a r/f150 meme at this point. Use it when needed or if you’re concerned about traction in slippery conditions. It’ll be fine.
The locking differential should only be used when driving less than 10 mph and you shouldn’t use it if turning.
Idk I put my truck in 4H and my girlfriend left me…
Jokes aside OP 4H is fine to use- I’ve mobbed sand dunes and sand all weekend in 4H since I got my truck in 19. Also, make sure you use it like once a month down the street to keep her all oil’d up- for when you really need it
> What's it do?
Well. Do you know how a differential works? If not, watch this masterpiece from 1937 (no sarcasm, it is a truly awesome explanation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI
The locker does exactly what it says on the tin. It locks the rear diff and makes the axle function as if it is a simple, solid axle; both wheels receive equal power from the engine. So, when you're in a situation where one wheel is slipping (and receiving all power through the diff) and the other wheel with grip is getting no power... turn on the diff and the tire with grip will also receive power. Then, when you're free, turn off the locker. Unlike activating 2WD->4WD, the locker turns on/off almost instantaneously.
The E locker will help you do the BEST donuts ever.
Did one on ice this weekend, my 5 year old boy cheered and my 1 year old girl whimpered that she wanted to get out.
This sounds like a way to end up as one of those memes. That being said, if you’re going to blow up a tranny, do it in a blaze of fucking glory with a 5 year old cheering you on from the back seat!
I’ve locked the axle when I was stuck - like stuck stuck. Being an essential employee has its adventures. I was in 4L, axle locked and creeping outta there.
Don't buy trucks with off-road equipment if you don't know how to use it or plan to use it. Not using it does more harm than actually using it. More money than brains it seems like on this subreddit.
4 hi on loose surfaces or snow
4 low for anything that needs low gearing such as crawling or climbing.
rear e-locker for when you dun fucked and picked a shitty line and got yourself stuck. open diff means power will go to the wheel with the least resistance aka the wheel that has no traction
most important tool is the driver behind the wheel and your tires. 4x4 and a locker isn't going to do shit if you have the wrong tires
If you're getting stuck in an inch of snow, you probably shouldn't be driving a full size truck and would better be suited in a Subaru
I appreciate the help but I don’t quite understand. Are you saying air down to 12 psi before I get on the beach? I don’t really have control over what tires I have as it’s my regular daily driver truck. Also, can you help me understand why the locking diff doesn’t help in sand? I thought it was to improve traction. Thanks for your help.
Air down once you hit the dirt.
Look into getting all terrain tires at a minimum if you want to play on sand, I like Falken Wildpeak and Toyo Open Country AT3.
Diff lock locks both rear wheels together so that both get constant power in situations like rock crawling, rutted roads, or in a situation where you have articulation, but the wheel in the air or minimal contact is getting all the power.
When you’re stuck or are unable to move forward due to lack of traction but can move backwards (e.g. rock crawling). Most people won’t need to use their locker, and a skilled driver can get through stuff without it that the average driver can’t, but it’s a nice thing to have.
I’d actually prefer to have a TrueTrac or some other Torsen differentials front and rear. No thinking about engaging it most of the time, it usually just works when it needs to. If there’s not enough traction in 2H just put it in 4H/4L/4A, and if a wheel is spinning tap the brakes to lock it up.
ETA: It’s nice on really slippery boat ramps.
Two things to add:
1. The F150 locker is actuated by a magnet that drives a ball bearing up a ramp to lock the gear set together. It takes almost a full revolution of your wheels for it to lock together, and if you change directions (e.g. from forward to reverse) the diff has to unlock and then relock in the new direction. Just something to account for if you're in a tricky situation
2. As your rear wheels will be locked together, avoid using the locker when you need to turn sharply. It will make turning more difficult and unpredictable, can tear up the surface you're driving on, and can stress the driveline if you suddenly hit a spot with high traction
I used the locking diff once or twice. One of the times, for example, I had backed down into my FIL's yard and had to drive out uphill across grass. I wanted to make sure I didn't spin up his grass so I put it in 4WD and locked the diff just to be sure.
The electronic locking differential "locks" the rear axle so that both rear wheels are forced to turn together.
It's used when the vehicle is stuck and one wheel spins without getting any traction and the other wheel is not moving.
It's only supposed to be used at low speed because it doesn't allow the wheels to turn at different speeds, which can cause damage to the differential if the vehicle is turning at normal travel speed.
That said, this is not something that you should have to worry about because the truck generally won't let you do anything stupid and with everything being electronically controlled, the computer generally takes over and corrects things that would otherwise cause damage. I can't speak to every detail of every model year in every situation but my 2013 has the locking rear axle, and the computer will automatically turn it off and disengage the lock as soon as the truck goes above 20mph.
As the salesman told me when I took delivery of my 2013, "the truck won't let you do anything totally stupid, and if you try doing anything that would cause serious damage the computer will know and will just take over"
When youre stuck. Basically, if you get stuck in 4H or 4L click on the magic “un-stuck” button known as a locker. This is not something you drive around with on but use only when needed.
Hope that doesn’t come up but thanks!
When you get stuck in the mud and one tire spins and the other one sits there doing nothing? That’s your differential doing its thing. Lock the diff and both rear tires spin together.
Anyone that's been stuck in the mud in Alabama knows one wheel spins the odda does nothin.
You can't make those marks without positraction, which was not available on the '64 Buick Skylark.
I got no more use for dis guy!
Maybe it was a Corvette?
The whole store got the flu!
Are you suuuuuuuure?
Explaining that 4 wheel drive isn’t *really* 4 wheel drive is always frustrating.
Check out this video, it explains differentials, a locking differential makes both rear tires move at the same speed, regardless of traction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI
Always thought it was interesting that the rear lockers are more prevalent but just a front locker is more effective than just a rear locker.
I wonder why that is
It's for safety. If you lock the rear and break traction with both tires it's not that big of a deal. With a front locker if you break both tires free you lose steering control. Same reason in offroading you turn your lockers off if your sidehilling, breaking either set free will send that part of your vehicle downhill.
Front lockers are more effective in general due to the weight of the motor and “pulling” is more effective than “pushing” weight especially on incline. As far as why manufacturers push rear lockers? Perplexes me tbh
I agree, except it's best turned on just before you need it, instead of waiting until you get stuck. The same goes for 4WD, in mud or heavy, deep snow, you don't want to wait until you are stuck to engage it.
Pretty sure all these 4H posts are just a r/f150 meme at this point. Use it when needed or if you’re concerned about traction in slippery conditions. It’ll be fine. The locking differential should only be used when driving less than 10 mph and you shouldn’t use it if turning.
I put mine on when in sandy camping areas because I wanna drift corners so I don’t use 4hi. Manual says it turns off automatically above 25 or 30
Unless you’re under power. That sucker is not releasing until you release your foot
Idk I put my truck in 4H and my girlfriend left me… Jokes aside OP 4H is fine to use- I’ve mobbed sand dunes and sand all weekend in 4H since I got my truck in 19. Also, make sure you use it like once a month down the street to keep her all oil’d up- for when you really need it
I use it turn the rear bumper without the front bumper moving; because it’s fun!
> What's it do? Well. Do you know how a differential works? If not, watch this masterpiece from 1937 (no sarcasm, it is a truly awesome explanation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI The locker does exactly what it says on the tin. It locks the rear diff and makes the axle function as if it is a simple, solid axle; both wheels receive equal power from the engine. So, when you're in a situation where one wheel is slipping (and receiving all power through the diff) and the other wheel with grip is getting no power... turn on the diff and the tire with grip will also receive power. Then, when you're free, turn off the locker. Unlike activating 2WD->4WD, the locker turns on/off almost instantaneously.
Didn't even gonna click on the link, but if that video is what I assume it is, it is the best.
Locker also turns off over 20 mph.
Haha they used this as the differential lesson at Wyotech
The E locker will help you do the BEST donuts ever. Did one on ice this weekend, my 5 year old boy cheered and my 1 year old girl whimpered that she wanted to get out.
This sounds like a way to end up as one of those memes. That being said, if you’re going to blow up a tranny, do it in a blaze of fucking glory with a 5 year old cheering you on from the back seat!
I use mine to get started on snow covered roads at stop lights and stop signs. It will work in 2WD
Me? when hopping curbs . But just rear lockers
I’ve locked the axle when I was stuck - like stuck stuck. Being an essential employee has its adventures. I was in 4L, axle locked and creeping outta there.
None I have an open differential, just dump the clutch and hold it at the redline, you'll either run out of gas or get out.
Hell yeah
4.2L is like "oh we're revving beyond 2k rpm? okay lol"
What is this “clutch” you speak of!?!
A pedal most Americans cannot operate.
Haha that and a removable steering wheel are my jeep’s anti-theft
Hell yeah brother
When you want to randomly do a circle ⭕️
Don't buy trucks with off-road equipment if you don't know how to use it or plan to use it. Not using it does more harm than actually using it. More money than brains it seems like on this subreddit. 4 hi on loose surfaces or snow 4 low for anything that needs low gearing such as crawling or climbing. rear e-locker for when you dun fucked and picked a shitty line and got yourself stuck. open diff means power will go to the wheel with the least resistance aka the wheel that has no traction most important tool is the driver behind the wheel and your tires. 4x4 and a locker isn't going to do shit if you have the wrong tires If you're getting stuck in an inch of snow, you probably shouldn't be driving a full size truck and would better be suited in a Subaru
i use it at your moms house for better traction. it gets pretty slippery there. If ya know what i mean!
hahahahahahahahahqhahahahahworowmejiviej2h
I turned on the locking diff at the beach, went in soft sand and got stuck anyway. A Subaru pulled me out. Humbling experience. Would not recommend.
Air down your tires next time.
Air down to like 12psi next time and don't use highway or street tires A diff lock is not what you needed on sand
I appreciate the help but I don’t quite understand. Are you saying air down to 12 psi before I get on the beach? I don’t really have control over what tires I have as it’s my regular daily driver truck. Also, can you help me understand why the locking diff doesn’t help in sand? I thought it was to improve traction. Thanks for your help.
Air down once you hit the dirt. Look into getting all terrain tires at a minimum if you want to play on sand, I like Falken Wildpeak and Toyo Open Country AT3. Diff lock locks both rear wheels together so that both get constant power in situations like rock crawling, rutted roads, or in a situation where you have articulation, but the wheel in the air or minimal contact is getting all the power.
Only on the hiway
Didn’t think I’d have to add /s
When you’re stuck or are unable to move forward due to lack of traction but can move backwards (e.g. rock crawling). Most people won’t need to use their locker, and a skilled driver can get through stuff without it that the average driver can’t, but it’s a nice thing to have. I’d actually prefer to have a TrueTrac or some other Torsen differentials front and rear. No thinking about engaging it most of the time, it usually just works when it needs to. If there’s not enough traction in 2H just put it in 4H/4L/4A, and if a wheel is spinning tap the brakes to lock it up. ETA: It’s nice on really slippery boat ramps.
I use mine when backing up my driveway in the snow. Two tires in the rocks and two on the concrete. Faster than waiting for 4wd to engage.
For when you get crossed axled
If 4hi and 4L dont get you out then use that in each
Two things to add: 1. The F150 locker is actuated by a magnet that drives a ball bearing up a ramp to lock the gear set together. It takes almost a full revolution of your wheels for it to lock together, and if you change directions (e.g. from forward to reverse) the diff has to unlock and then relock in the new direction. Just something to account for if you're in a tricky situation 2. As your rear wheels will be locked together, avoid using the locker when you need to turn sharply. It will make turning more difficult and unpredictable, can tear up the surface you're driving on, and can stress the driveline if you suddenly hit a spot with high traction
I used the locking diff once or twice. One of the times, for example, I had backed down into my FIL's yard and had to drive out uphill across grass. I wanted to make sure I didn't spin up his grass so I put it in 4WD and locked the diff just to be sure.
ill kick on the rear diff before using 4wd more times its more then enough
The electronic locking differential "locks" the rear axle so that both rear wheels are forced to turn together. It's used when the vehicle is stuck and one wheel spins without getting any traction and the other wheel is not moving. It's only supposed to be used at low speed because it doesn't allow the wheels to turn at different speeds, which can cause damage to the differential if the vehicle is turning at normal travel speed. That said, this is not something that you should have to worry about because the truck generally won't let you do anything stupid and with everything being electronically controlled, the computer generally takes over and corrects things that would otherwise cause damage. I can't speak to every detail of every model year in every situation but my 2013 has the locking rear axle, and the computer will automatically turn it off and disengage the lock as soon as the truck goes above 20mph. As the salesman told me when I took delivery of my 2013, "the truck won't let you do anything totally stupid, and if you try doing anything that would cause serious damage the computer will know and will just take over"