Adding diff lock and Terrain management button

[Trigganometry]

I drive through ice and snow for 5 months out of the year.

Never once have I NEEDED a locking diff nor any gimmicky terrain modes to get anywhere.

It sounds like driving in slippery conditions is foreign to you. My advice would be to get some snow tires and just be more cautious. Practice makes perfect they say... next time you get some snow... find an empty parking lot somewhere and have some fun. I've done this every time it's snowed since before I even had a driver's license.


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My mother would always scoff and call me foolish for wanting to dip into an empty lot to do donuts/drifts/whatever when it was snowing... I told her that apart from being good clean fun that'll keep me off drugs it was teaching me valuable skills about vehicle control. She'd scoff some more and call me foolish.


Well.....

One night about 3-4 years ago, she flipped her truck onto its lid in a ditch on her way home from work.... because it was snowing, the back end started to come around on her, and she had/has ZERO CONCEPT about counter steering.

I asked her WHERE it happened once I saw her, she told me, and I immideately "told her" HOW it happened. She seemed surprised that I was 100% correct.

Incredibly smug I told her... nobody knows how to correct a vehicle from a situation they've never been in. If you would of been FOOLISH like me... correcting that vehicle would of been a near instant, instinctual, 2nd nature type of action.


Definitely the most validating I TOLD YOU SO I've ever delivered.

Bonus point 1:
You corrected a woman ?

Bonus point 2: Nothing like a cold stare coming back from mom and there’s not a sarcastic comment coming with it ?

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[koya31]

1. south Korea huh? thanks for your service. I have a pot of kimchi stew on the stove right now.
2. do you have much experience driving in snow? locking diff makes it worse
3. search the forum. others have tried adding factory locking diff and it costs as much as ARB setup

Thanks for replying! I've been driving in snow for 2 yrs now. But 1st year I had accident while I curved on the icy road w/ AWD then I search how to drive in snow so I learned some then this year which is my 2nd yr I had another accident while I curved as I went downhill on the icy road. I did what I've learned from 1st accident but at this time I didn't aware of 4WD. Because I put it on 4H then off traction control then operated my truck. That's why I was looking for diff lock or TM if that helps. But I see this could helps but not really. So I have to take another practices on the icy road then I just learned how to use +/- on the gear stick.

Thanks for your advice.!

 

[koya31]

Ford will not do it as it requires Forscan. As for trail control it has yet to be figured out and probably won't happen. As for terrain management it has been done before. Will it help enough with ive? Most likely not. Good snow tires with studs would most likely be best for that. As for the locker. Chances are it will work, you just have to swaps the entire rear end and add the button(I have the button if interested).

I see, pretty much ford only does for necessary then customizing is for off the ford mechanics. So the snow tires can be the all terrain tires? And how much cost for diff lock works? As I search on this forum, it seems like cost 3K. Is it about right? Appreciate for your offer but I'll buy parts whenever I can do process.

Thanks!

 

[koya31]

You just need better tires. Run real winter tires in winter (like a Bridgestone Blizzak or Nokian Hakka), then a good 3PMSF All Terrain in summer, and your truck will actually have adequate grip.

While rear diff locks can help control speeds on really technical downhills, they must first have adequate tire grip. And hill descent control would be way, way more helpful.

Thanks for relpying!

My questions is so, winter tires and all terrain tires are different? Can all terrain tires works same as winter tires on the ice?
If the diff locks helps a lot, I want to install it but do you know how much it cost and where can I buy the parts?
I couldn't find the parts as I googled.
Thank you.

 

[koya31]

I believe the addition of the Terrain Management (TM) knob will run you around $115 for the part. Assuming your a DIY'r and Installing it youself. You will also need to enable it through FORScan as mentioned above. I understand that it's an easy, staright forward install, but I really dont know all of the benefits of the TM option, but It's probably safe to say, that "stopping" isn't one of them.. Having a firm feeling of your road conditions, a cushion between you and those in front of you, a good comfort lever of your and your vehicles abilities, and the proper tires are all key, to be sure.

Ford Ranger Terrain Management Install:

Thanks for your advice!
So pretty much all people here has been said key is tires. I see now. I have to go get winter tires then.

Thanks again!

 

[JohnnyO]

Agree with the above, a locking diff is actually worse on ice and if you don't know how to drive it, worse on snow.
Good tires make the biggest difference. I put Blizzaks on my wife's last few minivans and they go as good in snow as my 4x4 trucks.
Previous truck was an '08 Sport Trac, no locker or L/S available but it had traction control and auto 4WD. I hated the way it jerked you around and in snow I would usually lock it in 4-Hi and turn the traction control off. The Ranger is not as bad but I'll still turn the traction control off. Mine does not have a locker.
If you really want a locker the ARB unit is probably the easier way to go, but still not easy since you have to replace the carrier because the ring gear is welded to it. You need to get a Jeep Gladiator carrier and 3.73 gears, it uses the same rear axle.
JMHO, if you run into snow and ice a lot in South Korea (I've never been there so I don't know) I'd say just get a set of four dedicated winter tires like Blizzaks and put some weight in the bed.

 

[mtsoxfan]

Agree with the above, a locking diff is actually worse on ice and if you don't know how to drive it, worse on snow.
Good tires make the biggest difference. I put Blizzaks on my wife's last few minivans and they go as good in snow as my 4x4 trucks.
Previous truck was an '08 Sport Trac, no locker or L/S available but it had traction control and auto 4WD. I hated the way it jerked you around and in snow I would usually lock it in 4-Hi and turn the traction control off. The Ranger is not as bad but I'll still turn the traction control off. Mine does not have a locker.
If you really want a locker the ARB unit is probably the easier way to go, but still not easy since you have to replace the carrier because the ring gear is welded to it. You need to get a Jeep Gladiator carrier and 3.73 gears, it uses the same rear axle.
JMHO, if you run into snow and ice a lot in South Korea (I've never been there so I don't know) I'd say just get a set of four dedicated winter tires like Blizzaks and put some weight in the bed.

I can't believe I haven't thought of turning off TC when driving up our dirt road. Wife freaks if I kick out the ass end, but that's nothing compared to when it kicks out and TC kicks in...
I do use 2wd with locker on in the snow, coming up the hill on the way home. I find the locker works great, for me, in the snow...

Been doing donuts in parking lots, sometimes without snow, since I got my licence 45 years ago. But to be honest, every once in a while I cross that line separated in control, and Whoops

 

[JohnnyO]

Thanks for relpying!

My questions is so, winter tires and all terrain tires are different? Can all terrain tires works same as winter tires on the ice?
If the diff locks helps a lot, I want to install it but do you know how much it cost and where can I buy the parts?
I couldn't find the parts as I googled.
Thank you.

All-terrains are generally better in snow than mud-terrains or all-seasons but not as good as dedicated snow tires. Snow tires are specifically designed for snow and ice and made with softer rubber to grip on ice and in cold temps.
Easiest would be to get a rear axle with a locker from a wrecked Ranger, add the TM knob and turn on TM in Forscan. Since the trucks are pretty new the odds of finding a wrecked one are probably slim. As mentioned, I don't think getting a locker is your worst problem. If both rear wheels are on a slippery surface then it's difficult to keep the truck straight unless you're well practiced at winter driving with a limited-slip or locker. With an open rear, one wheel will spin and the other won't but it will help the vehicle track straight. With a locker, both wheels will spin and you can quickly find yourself pointing 180 degrees from where you were two seconds ago if you're not used to counter-steering and working the throttle.
Cost to add a locker, I would guess $2000 at minimum. Again, snow tires and a little weight in the bed will be a lot cheaper and more effective.

 

[JohnnyO]

I can't believe I haven't thought of turning off TC when driving up our dirt road. Wife freaks if I kick out the ass end, but that's nothing compared to when it kicks out and TC kicks in...
I do use 2wd with locker on in the snow, coming up the hill on the way home. I find the locker works great, for me, in the snow...

One push of the button turns off the traction control but you have to hold it for 10-15 seconds to totally shut off the stability control.
Limited-slip or locker is better in snow but only if you know how to drive it right. I'd prefer a locker but I got by for 13 years in my old Sport Trac without one. In ice the only thing that really helps is tires. Beer helps too, as in if there's a lot of ice I'll stay home and have a beer but that's not an option for everyone, wasn't always an option for me.

 

[Wes Siler]

Thanks for relpying!

My questions is so, winter tires and all terrain tires are different? Can all terrain tires works same as winter tires on the ice?
If the diff locks helps a lot, I want to install it but do you know how much it cost and where can I buy the parts?
I couldn't find the parts as I googled.
Thank you.

So yeah, it sounds like 100 percent of the issues you're having are tire related.

A real winter tire, like a Blizzak or Hakka, will be revelatory. Just stick with your current size. Go P-metric, not LT. Feel free to DM or email me if you need to bounce some products and specs around.

Don't get caught up with diffs and electronics. Tires are, by far, the most critical component on your truck.

 

[Wes Siler]

Thanks for replying! I've been driving in snow for 2 yrs now. But 1st year I had accident while I curved on the icy road w/ AWD then I search how to drive in snow so I learned some then this year which is my 2nd yr I had another accident while I curved as I went downhill on the icy road. I did what I've learned from 1st accident but at this time I didn't aware of 4WD. Because I put it on 4H then off traction control then operated my truck. That's why I was looking for diff lock or TM if that helps. But I see this could helps but not really. So I have to take another practices on the icy road then I just learned how to use +/- on the gear stick.

Thanks for your advice.!

I wrote this one in an overly simplistic way, for the morans,. But it does a good job explaining exactly what a winter tire does differently. And no, an all terrain is not a substitute, no matter what stamps its sidewall wears.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/awd-doesnt-matter-winter-tires-do/

 

[Frenchy]

I wrote this one in an overly simplistic way, for the morans,. But it does a good job explaining exactly what a winter tire does differently. And no, an all terrain is not a substitute, no matter what stamps its sidewall wears.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/awd-doesnt-matter-winter-tires-do/

I will agree as an All-Terrain will never replace a winter tire. That said some(key word) ALL-Terrain tires can do well for an All-Terrain in winter conditions. Regardless a true winter tire will walk all over it.

 

[JohnnyO]

I will agree as an All-Terrain will never replace a winter tire. That said some(key word) ALL-Terrain tires can do well for an All-Terrain in winter conditions. Regardless a true winter tire will walk all over it.

AT's are better than MT's but not as good as dedicated snow tires.
We don't get tons of snow in PA and I've always gotten by fine in my 4x4's with AT's but my wife's Chrysler minivans with Blizzaks go as good as my trucks in snow and probably stop and turn better.
We got the first snow to amount to anything over Christmas so I got to try out the Cooper AT3's I got last summer. Going and turning was fine, stopping was a little iffy and the ABS got a workout.

 

[Big Blue]

Thanks for replying! I've been driving in snow for 2 yrs now. But 1st year I had accident while I curved on the icy road w/ AWD then I search how to drive in snow so I learned some then this year which is my 2nd yr I had another accident while I curved as I went downhill on the icy road. I did what I've learned from 1st accident but at this time I didn't aware of 4WD. Because I put it on 4H then off traction control then operated my truck. That's why I was looking for diff lock or TM if that helps. But I see this could helps but not really. So I have to take another practices on the icy road then I just learned how to use +/- on the gear stick.

Thanks for your advice.!

Late to this discussion so just couple observations. First of all driving on snowy rosds and icy roads are two different situations. On snowy roads 4H is fine, but I would leave traction control ON. The TM settings actually use and adjust the traction control settings base on the selection. In icy condition about the only thing that will really help is winter tires, studded if allowed. 4WD can be a two edged sword in ice. Power to the steering wheels can cause them to spin and lose of steering control. That brings up another thing, I would not be using S mode and manual shifting in icy conditions. Power delivery and shifting is too agressive, causing wheel spin. SLOW and easy is the word on ice.

Unfortunately downhill on ice you are pretty much along for the ride.

 

[Dereku]

Hate to say it after reading this I do not think any amount of money will help out. Snow tires will to an extent but if you are new to driving in ice and snow then you need to go really slow. Losing control happens in an instant and if you cant react immediately the snow wins. And donuts in empty parking lots om snow is how I learned as well.

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