I am looking into buying a new ford 150
supercab. It looks like I can't find any with the limited slip axle in my area.

I plan to be towing a horse trailer, probably
5-7000 lbs. Planning on the 5.4 engine. Also 4WD (maybe 2WD, but I see lots of snow/mud).

Do you think I need/want the limited slip axle? I would think most everyone would want it (not that I am a truck expert), but judging from what is out there either the dealers don't think so or everyone else bought them all.

 

Dave

Just my opinion but I would definately get a limited slip rear end.
A LS rear ended 2WD CAN go most anywhere a 4WD truck can go so long as things
don't get too muddy (like axle deep or so!)
I've got a 4x4 and a 2WD posi truck and in my driving conditions (which are
similar to yours) the 2WD is just as good.
If you must venture far off road though, 4x4 is still the way to go.
Also note that 4x4 reliabilty is generally poor and Ford's vaccum hub lock garbage
is among the worst. The Super Duty dual live axle setup is by far the toughest.

 

I too would advise you to get the limited slip. A lot of times w/my truck I can be in situations that would normaly use the 4x4 but because of the LS I either don't have to use it or I only use the high 4. You said yourself that you see lots of snow & ice. It's always best to have it on your truck and never need it than to need it and not have it Check out other dealers or order you a 2000

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red,skid plates
leaky sliding rear window, Hard tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires
(it came with sm. tires) 40s Flowmaster, 3.55 LS, Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch K&N air filter, superchip

 

Its less about getting stuck in the mud. The LS rear makes the truck more stable on the highway. (I know cause I had one fitted at 25000 miles) If you go motorcycle racing and need to use started rollers then don't bother.
If you end up with the crap goodyears from the factory then the extra traction with LS will help. I sat in my truck, with 38 sheets of drywall in the back, the right side rear wheel slowly turning on wet packed mud/gravel.
Another contractor with LS pulled me off the mud.
So get LS worth the wait or search. I'll call my local dealer if you tell me the specs you want.

 

While searching for a Limited Slip, you might want to check the prices on a F-250 Super Duty. I think you'll be surprised at how little the difference is between the Light Duty and the Super Duty.
Also, I had no problems getting a Super Duty with the Limited Slip (maybe they all come that way ).
The Super Duty will pull your trailer with ease while the Light Duty may well be maxed out with a 7000 pound load.
Good luck with your new truck!

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
* * * Non-Leaking Sliding Window * * *
http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I don't think that LS should be the deciding factor on your new truck. I personally didn't order it on my truck, but if you like it you should get it by all means. In my opinion, I don't think that it's all that it's cracked up to be.

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 06-17-99).]

 

I heard somewhere that the Limitied Slip has the ABS pulsate when you accelerate off the line. Does anyone know if this is true?

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1999 Ford F150 XLT 4x2, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter, soon Superchip and K&N GEN II.

Fast46Triton

The Terminator!

 

I haven't noticed the abs do anything on the accel. May be because all I can hear is the tires squall. I would definately recommend the LS even in a 4X4. I have it on my 98 and love it. The extra weight in the 4x4 front end seems to make the rear spin easier than on the 2 wheelers. The only thing I've noticed that when I don't shift into 4 wheel drive on a slick road you have to be careful about pushing down on the accelerator. If you make it downshift to quick the back will pass you.(learned this the hard way).

 

Limited slip is a mechanical system, not at all related to the ABS. Some electronic "traction control" systems use the braking system as well as dropping cylinders as part of their control strategy. Fortunately that bit of technological insanity hasn't filtered down to Ford trucks (yet)