OEM Front Axel Limited Slip Torsen Differential - Driving Differences?

[James3]

I am interested in purchasing the Ford Performance F-150 8.8" Front Axel Limited Slip Torsen Differential (SKU: M4204F150LS). I have a 2022 Lariat with the 4Auto and I have read that the Torsen Differential adds greater grip in slippery surfaces when 4A is engaged (engaging both front wheels when they slip, instead of just the one that is slipping).

I could not find much information on the Torsen in this forum, but searching the general F-150 forum, it seems some feel that this part adds additional torque steer and creates heavier steering. Others disagree. With this being standard on the Raptor and optional from the factory on some Tremors, I am interested to know if anyone has driven both and can comment on their driving characteristics. Unfortunately, almost all of the dealers near me do not have any Raptors or Tremors with the Torsen to test drive and I would like to better understand the driving differences from those who have and use the Torsen in daily driving. Thanks everyone!

Link to the part here: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-4204-F150LS

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[Aonarch]

Interested in the same, in for answers.

 

[HammaMan]

@SALEEN961 could provide some of the best feedback on this

 

[SALEEN961]

I have installed a few Torsen carriers and I have added one to my 2021 XLT. Getting one installed or buying the needed tools to properly install one yourself can be expensive and adding a Torsen isn't always the best way to increase traction, but they are a great option

There can be some noticeable torque steer with a Torsen, but this only occurs when driving aggressively. If you drive more conservatively, you probably won't notice that the Torsen is even there.

Are you just looking to increase grip in general, is a there a specific problem you are trying to solve by adding a Torsen, or is this a while I'm there type of thing because you need to remove the front diff for other repairs?

 

[James3]

Thank you. I don’t need to remove the front differential, but was interested in the Ford performance Torsen since it would be covered under warranty, with a dealer performing the service.

I am used to torque vectoring AWD, from previous vehicles so the Torsen Dif appeared to be something that could yield a similar effect. During the last ice storm, I noticed my truck would slip when turning, even in 4auto. I like to avoid using 4HI unless I know I need it, so the Torsen seemed like something I’d be interested in. I am trying to mimic the ‘AWD effect’ of a Raptor, so to speak.

 

[HammaMan]

Thank you. I don’t need to remove the front differential, but was interested in the Ford performance Torsen since it would be covered under warranty, with a dealer performing the service.

I am used to torque vectoring AWD, from previous vehicles so the Torsen Dif appeared to be something that could yield a similar effect. During the last ice storm, I noticed my truck would slip when turning, even in 4auto. I like to avoid using 4HI unless I know I need it, so the Torsen seemed like something I’d be interested in. I am trying to mimic the ‘AWD effect’ of a Raptor, so to speak.

If you have a TOD truck, in icie conditions just use 4H. It simply tells the clutch to go full pressure. It's not able to mechanically lock into 4WD like the raptor / tremor does. Also if you're in a traction limited ice situation a front torsen won't buy you much margin.

 

[SALEEN961]

Thank you. I don’t need to remove the front differential, but was interested in the Ford performance Torsen since it would be covered under warranty, with a dealer performing the service.

I am used to torque vectoring AWD, from previous vehicles so the Torsen Dif appeared to be something that could yield a similar effect. During the last ice storm, I noticed my truck would slip when turning, even in 4auto. I like to avoid using 4HI unless I know I need it, so the Torsen seemed like something I’d be interested in. I am trying to mimic the ‘AWD effect’ of a Raptor, so to speak.

I don't think a Torsen will really help with that type of issue, but are we talking about gentle high speed curves on the highway, tight turns into a driveway, or 30mph turns around town? High throttle or low throttle?

My understanding from the Ford Performance Parts listing is that there is no warranty on the Torsen itself. With that being the case, getting warranty converge for other related parts may prove to be difficult at certain dealers if they blame the Torsen or the install. I would get any claims about warranty coverage put in very clear writing ahead of time.

What tires are you currently running? Better tires may be a much cheaper and more effective solution to your problem. Getting rid of the factory tires and going with Continental TerrainContact tires for three seasons and Blizack DM-V2 tires for the winter made a shocking large difference in traction for my truck. Rain and snow are essentially non-existent with these tires on my truck.

 

[James3]

I don't think a Torsen will really help with that type of issue, but are we talking about gentle high speed curves on the highway, tight turns into a driveway, or 30mph turns around town? High throttle or low throttle?

My understanding from the Ford Performance Parts listing is that there is no warranty on the Torsen itself. With that being the case, getting warranty converge for other related parts may prove to be difficult at certain dealers if they blame the Torsen or the install. I would get any claims about warranty coverage put in very clear writing ahead of time.

What tires are you currently running? Better tires may be a much cheaper and more effective solution to your problem. Getting rid of the factory tires and going with Continental TerrainContact tires for three seasons and Blizack DM-V2 tires for the winter made a shocking large difference in traction for my truck. Rain and snow are essentially non-existent with these tires on my truck.

Mostly on turns at low speeds, such as a turn out of driveway, stop sign/traffic light, etc. Even just for quick accelerations onto a busy road when turning. I am running the stock Goodyear Wranglers, eventually likely switch to Vredestein Pinza ATs.

That is a good point about the warranty. I plan to call a few dealers and ask if they can even install the part. But if they can, I would assume it would not void a warranty since Ford owns the part and a reputable Ford dealer is doing the install, but yes you never know. It is the same part that comes from the factory for the Raptor and some Tremors.

The type of turns I am describing never slip in my wife's Audi Q5 Quattro. Now I know it is a totally separate powertrain/vehicle, but the Quattro AWD is an advanced AWD with all the wheels moving when turning. My main question is if the Torsen Front limited slip would also have all the wheels moving when turning, thus reducing slipping/creating a similar effect.

 

[HammaMan]

You got to be in good w/ the dealer. Ford is looking for any reason to deny warranty claims requiring photos due to their cash burn on repairs.

 

[SALEEN961]

I'm very familiar with Audi's Quattro AWD, I mostly work on cars and SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. I still see plenty of other brands in lower quantities, but they typically get dispatched to other employees unless they're in for a major repair or complex issue.

The 4A system we have is capable of giving you the confidence to go WOT in almost any conditions without fear of losing traction, but it does need a little help to make this happen. I can say that with a rear limited slip, 4A, and great tires already installed, the benefits of installing a Torsen on my truck were fairly minor as they were only noticeable in very specific and uncommon use cases that the average person wouldn't care about. That being said, I have no regrets about installing a Torsen because it did exactly what I wanted it to do.

Getting rid of the stock Goodyear tires would be my first priority. The Vredestein Pinza AT tires you mentioned have fantastic reviews, and if you plan to run only one set of tires, they are probably better for your use case than the Continental tires I run, but you will have to be more cautious than I am in winter weather as nothing beats a dedicated winter tire.

The Torsen differential works best in high load, moderate to high traction conditions. Low load on slippery surfaces with low traction are where a Torsen is the least effective. The way in which a Torsen "locks" is by using the traction you do have to create friction in the differential as the worm gears are loaded against each other and forced into the carrier case. The worse your tires are, the worse the Torsen will perform on slippery surfaces.

 

[pittman]

I've had torsen LSDs on the front and back of various trucks. They're a nice product for mixed use but I don't think it'll make a world of difference in your case. Get better tires and the traction control should keep the power going to the wheels that need it.

It still won't touch your Audi though. My wife has an all-road and it's way ahead of my truck with winter tires and a torsen. German engineering...

 

[ThumperF150]

I recently had the Torsen LSD and Tremor front axles installed when I had 4.11s installed on my RCSB. I only have a couple hundred miles in it. There have been a couple of times when I thought the steering felt slightly heavier and when I thought I felt some torque steer. Nothing crazy or really consistent enough for me to identify a specific set of conditions where I notice it.

 

[v8440]

I think the rest of these guys have pretty much covered it, but no "dumb" mechanical traction aid is going to perform like a well designed computerized drive system with torque vectoring.

 

[James3]

Thank you. I know the Torsen won't replace a torque vectoring AWD, but wanted to understand if the Torsen Front Dif would make it 'more like that' so to speak.

I was interested to know specifically how the Torsen works with the 4auto setting, vs. not using it at all. I rarely use 4Hi and I know that in 2wd you won't even know it is there. It seems a lot of you think other solutions are a better option.

I would like to know if anyone else has experienced driving a regular 4Auto transfer case with and without the Torsen (and few other modifications to convolute the driving impression). Thanks!

 

[SALEEN961]

Thank you. I know the Torsen won't replace a torque vectoring AWD, but wanted to understand if the Torsen Front Dif would make it 'more like that' so to speak.

I was interested to know specifically how the Torsen works with the 4auto setting, vs. not using it at all. I rarely use 4Hi and I know that in 2wd you won't even know it is there. It seems a lot of you think other solutions are a better option.

I would like to know if anyone else has experienced driving a regular 4Auto transfer case with and without the Torsen (and few other modifications to convolute the driving impression). Thanks!

In 2H, 4A, and 4H my Torsen is mostly invisible.

Under moderate to hard acceleration on slick surfaces you may feel the front of your truck pull from side to side in 4A and 4H, this can happen somewhat suddenly and forcefully at higher speeds and could pull you out of your lane if you don't expect it. Under moderate to hard acceleration with the steering wheel turned, the Torsen will pull your steering wheel straight and fight the turn in 4A and 4H, under light acceleration the steering just feels slightly heavier. When panic braking you may feel the front end of your truck pull back and forth in 4A, 4H, and even in 2H, but I have never noticed this under normal braking.

I have never used 4L in my truck, but I would imagine that it would behave just like 4A and 4H.

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