This 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 has an open front differential

[Jim Oaks]

Yes....

This 2019 Ford Ranger has a locking rear differential, but the front differential is open. It's not even a limited slip. It appears the only option for the rear in any Ranger is an open differential, or a locking differential.

My 2010 Ford F-350 FX4 Super Duty had front and rear Trac-Lok (limited slip) differentials, and I really expected the same or more on a 2019 Ranger. My Super Duty felt like it had front and rear lockers when you took it off-road in 4WD.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

The aftermarket will take up the slack where Ford failed.

 

[RonD]

I think rear axle on any 4WD should be limited slip, well any pickup truck really, lol.

Front axle should have the option for limited slip, 95% of buyers would never need L/S on the front if they had L/S on the rear
The 5% that want it can pay for it
I wouldn't

I have L/S on the rear and open up front, and never been stuck because of no L/S on the front, been stuck but not because of no L/S on the front, lol
If I wanted to spend the money then I would buy a winch first, not a L/S front differential

Lockers are another story altogether

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would rather have a selectable locker in the rear than LS.

LS is great but there are times it just wants to go sideways.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I'll take a L/S rear axle all day every day. Selectable locker up front. Or both front/rear selectable lockers.

My L/S rear axle, which I tightened up even more during my rebuild, has never acted unpredictably on me. It's never wanted to go sideways on it's own.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'll take a L/S rear axle all day every day. Selectable locker up front. Or both front/rear selectable lockers.

My L/S rear axle, which I tightened up even more during my rebuild, has never acted unpredictably on me. It's never wanted to go sideways on it's own.

In 2wd that is all my Ranger with a tight limited slip wants to do. With a crown on the road if it is slick out you have to have it in 4wd for directional stability.

 

[Shran]

Not surprised but it should at least be an option.

I have a lock-rite in the front of mine and a very tight limited slip in the rear. It's squirrelly as hell in 4 wheel drive on the road, bad enough that I'd try to avoid using it if at all possible. Selectable lockers for a street driven truck is just a must IMO.

 

[gw33gp]

I have Torsen LS front and rear and it works very well. There are a couple very minor things I notice about the combination but nothing a little common sense driving doesn't fix. I would really prefer a selectable locker in front with the Torsen in the rear, but a front selectable locker is not available for my Ranger.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

So far on my 87 V8 2wd swap truck, I'm less than impressed with the Torsen on the street for doing hooligan things. I'd rather have a tightened up L/S in it I think, but I paid a premium for the axle so I'm going to keep it as-is for now. Other than swapping to a more highway-friendly gear.

 

[sgtsandman]

There is always the option of the Auburn Gear ECTED MAX, which is a limited slip when off and a locker when on. I'm considering one for my 2011. L/S is better for on the road and locker for off road.

Auburn Gear 545001: Auburn Gear SELECT-A-LOC Electronically Controlled Differential - JEGS High Performance

Ford 8.8'' 10 Bolt 28 Teeth

www.jegs.com

For the front, a locker is nice but it depends on how you use the truck. Overlanders might have a front locker they use them sparingly since they bind up the works in anything other than pretty much straight line driving and very much discourage their use when going down hill.

Me personally, I would rather have a gear driven limited slip in the front and a locker or locker/limited slip combination in the rear.

 

[Ranger850]

 

[Jim Oaks]

I would actually prefer a front and rear selectable locker.

An open rear will make sharper turns than a rear where both axles are engaging.

With a truck with limited wheel travel, it would be nice to send power to the wheel that's actually touching the ground.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Light pressure on the brake pedal often solves any offroad wheel spin issues with Torsen models of L/S units.

 

[2002edgeplussupercab]

Most stock 4x4 trucks are open in front and rear unless optioned with a locker in the rear. Speaking of the new trucks. Raptor not included. In other words, 2 wheel drive. 1 in front and 1 in rear.

 

[Jim Oaks]

My FX4 Super Duty was limited slip front and rear. I can see a base model 4x4 being open in the front, but I expect more from a FX4.