Locking diff upgrades on ST?

[JustDisGuy]

Good day, forum mates!

I have a 2020 Explorer ST I bought new, and it's been a very enjoyable and reliable vehicle, overall. Lately though, it gets stuck in the smallest amount of snow. I've got studded snow tires with one season on them, and in the 'Trail' mode, and also the 'Deep Snow ' mode, I'm screwed on three inches of loosely packed snow.

I'm going to take it in and have it looked over by a mechanic, but it's got me thinking I need a vehicle with locking diffs. I really like my ST though, so rather than "upgrade" to a different vehicle, I'm thinking maybe I mod this one.

Anyone do an ARB locker upgrade on an ST? Or something in the same vein?

 

[UNBROKEN]

The oem Timberline rear diff is a Torsen.

 

[JustDisGuy]

The oem Timberline rear diff is a Torsen.

So I take that to mean it would be a simple upgrade, easily done with stock parts?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Good day, forum mates!

I have a 2020 Explorer ST I bought new, and it's been a very enjoyable and reliable vehicle, overall. Lately though, it gets stuck in the smallest amount of snow. I've got studded snow tires with one season on them, and in the 'Trail' mode, and also the 'Deep Snow ' mode, I'm screwed on three inches of loosely packed snow.

I'm going to take it in and have it looked over by a mechanic, but it's got me thinking I need a vehicle with locking diffs. I really like my ST though, so rather than "upgrade" to a different vehicle, I'm thinking maybe I mod this one.

Anyone do an ARB locker upgrade on an ST? Or something in the same vein?

Curious why you’re wanting to get it looked over by a mechanic, anything wrong with it? These cars have a welded differentials so you can’t just replace the diff you have to replace the whole assembly. Funny because my ST does perfectly fine in the heavy snow I drive it through with stock Pirellis.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

So I take that to mean it would be a simple upgrade, easily done with stock parts?

Easily done, extremely extremely hard to find and when you do find it it’s not cheap. Someone who did it said it really wasn’t worth it.

 

[DaHuntah]

I don't think the benefit would justify the expense. You'd likely have to buy new parts as finding something used would be near impossible (as stated above). My 2023 does just fine in the snow. Even deep snow! Maybe there is something wrong with your 4WD system.

 

[JustDisGuy]

Maybe there is something wrong with your 4WD system.

Thus the trip to the mechanic. We shall see.

Previously, I was unable to get it stuck in 30" of snow.

 

[JustDisGuy]

Curious why you’re wanting to get it looked over by a mechanic, anything wrong with it? These cars have a welded differentials so you can’t just replace the diff you have to replace the whole assembly. Funny because my ST does perfectly fine in the heavy snow I drive it through with stock Pirellis.

Yes, mine used to do fine in very poor conditions. Something's changed, so that's why the visit to the shop.

 

[powerboatr]

maybe i am wrong
but in slippery, snow mud trail modes and normal
since we are AWD unless you got screwed up with a 2wd model
the system will apply brakes to slipping wheel etc like it does in the 4A mode in the 150
computer controls slip?
but i could be wrong, i did sleep at a motel 6 once

 

[2020FordRaptor]

maybe i am wrong
but in slippery, snow mud trail modes and normal
since we are AWD unless you got screwed up with a 2wd model
the system will apply brakes to slipping wheel etc like it does in the 4A mode in the 150
computer controls slip?
but i could be wrong, i did sleep at a motel 6 once

No you’re correct. That’s what AdvanceTrac and traction control do.

 

[JustDisGuy]

Had my vehicle into the shop today. They said the front differential is knackered, and because my extended warranty ran out 10,000 km ago, it's going to cost $2.5k to repair. oof.

Apparently the part is cheap, and most of the cost is labour. They also said they didn't think it would matter if I drove it that way, but it's only going to operate in 2WD.

Any thoughts...?

 

[powerboatr]

Not sure what knackered is
But only way to disconnect front differential is pull both front half shafts and drive shaft front transfer case.
If you keep driving with broken or damaged differential. It will not self heal and will continue to do damage until it fails and
Could create interesting driving when it comes apart or locks up

 

[23 Explorer ST]

Your shop doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
If you drive it like it is knackard, you will definitely cause more issues for yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[powerboatr]

i will ADD
your st will not set itself to 2wd.....NEVER
and like mentioned above your tech is a non smart person
DO NOT drive the vehicle if the front differential is damaged inside
is he or she going to completely disconnect the front drivetrain? i bet the 8hrs labor is steep....

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Had my vehicle into the shop today. They said the front differential is knackered, and because my extended warranty ran out 10,000 km ago, it's going to cost $2.5k to repair. oof.

Apparently the part is cheap, and most of the cost is labour. They also said they didn't think it would matter if I drove it that way, but it's only going to operate in 2WD.

Any thoughts...?

Run, don't walk away from that tech. That's not how these vehicles work, you can't force the car to be 2wd full-time, unless a fault code triggers it to do so, and a fault code for the bad diff isn't going to make the car go 2wd only.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

i will ADD
your st will not set itself to 2wd.....NEVER
and like mentioned above your tech is a non smart person
DO NOT drive the vehicle if the front differential is damaged inside
is he or she going to completely disconnect the front drivetrain? i bet the 8hrs labor is steep....

Certain fault codes will make the car disengage the FWD part of the AWD system, but a bad diff isn't going to trigger that certain fault code.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I'm just looking to be educated here. I though that if you turned off Traction-Control, it stays in RWD and that's why the tires start to spin during a launch.

 

[powerboatr]

I'm just looking to be educated here. I though that if you turned off Traction-Control, it stays in RWD and that's why the tires start to spin during a launch.

Yes...but front half shafts still drive the diff to turn inside
There is not a wheel end disconnect
Would like to know what the actual issue is. Knackered tells us ???
Chunks in oil, cracks, gear lash ???

Personally having traction to all four

On aggressive throttle is a plus

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I'm just looking to be educated here. I though that if you turned off Traction-Control, it stays in RWD and that's why the tires start to spin during a launch.

Not what happens. All the nannies just go away, and most computers aren't going to interfere with wheel spin. It doesn't change the behavior of the AWD system.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

OK. I'm just a little confused. The sticker on my vehicle said Intelligent 4WD system. It was explained to me like this (as best I can remember): "The vehicle normally operates in RWD until a loss of traction is detected at which time the vehicle will automatically activate the 4WD actuator and engage the front wheels. It just has a lot more sensors and there is no 4WD switch/knob." I know I have a 4WD actuator because I had to have mine replaced. I've got to do some searching and reading on this.