Torsen diff in 24

[xlover]

Would be kinda cool, but there aren’t many situations that you could get a Raptor into, where a front locker is needed to get you out. It’s not really meant for extreme rock crawling and in fact, its size prohibits most extreme rock crawling.

Truth. there are low % use cases but it definitely would be helpful in soft sand and deep snow. Especially on inclines where speed is low and momentum+grip is a challenge.

I’m not an engineering expert so I don’t really know if the size tradeoff vs the open diff (or torsen) is meaningful but I do know both the bronco and bronco raptor come with from the factory so ford has units in their portfolio

 

[thatJeepguy]

Selectable locker all day every day…. Torsen is meh tier .

 

[badclam]

Lockers are hella helpful in the PNW for deep snow and especially for muddy rutted roads. I've never worked on a modern differential. Is it do-able and financially reasonable to make a 2024 Raptor front diff into a lockable differential?

 

[FordPerf Addict]

Here's my continued response to this topic:

I'd like to hear from someone who has experienced a negative effect of the non-torsen.


View attachment 436398

negative effect of torsen is a nice PULL to the steering wheel in 4Auto

 

[Rocks2Sand]

I believe the main issue is that many competitors have front and rear lockers (even the new Colorado and Canyon). For the price point I do not see why the Raptor's do not have front lockers!

Interesting. I don't see the Colorado and Canyon as competitors. Not even the same segment.... They are competitors with the Ranger Raptor, which is a much more realistic size for most of the trails with rocks. Additionally, I'd rather keep the truck as lean as possible and not just add features because the "competition" has it. Just give me what I need. That is all. A checklist of added features isn't a bonus to me unless they directly apply to the main use cases for the truck. A) Daily Driver to SBux. B) High speed Baja runs and fun at the dunes.

 

[thatJeepguy]

negative effect of torsen is a nice PULL to the steering wheel in 4Auto

Exactly my experience . Its a very unpredictable way to “lock” the front spool. Selectable front is the only way to go. Torsen is effectively a stronger limited slip front diff. A concept only useful in one modality: Sand.

 

[shigman]

Exactly my experience . Its a very unpredictable way to “lock” the front spool. Selectable front is the only way to go. Torsen is effectively a stronger limited slip front diff. A concept only useful in one modality: Sand.

This is exactly right…sand. Torsen is useless if you lift a front tire off road. It’s nice, but there is no guarantee a non torsen truck would have trouble or get stuck especially with the traction control systems these days. After my front diff issues in the past, id prefer a simpler front end and 4A being straight as an arrow. I’d prefer a very rarely used selectable locker.

 

[787Jet]

Pre gen 3.5 Raptor’s (2023-present) have superior traction & cornering capabilities with a torsion differential onboard! Hands stay warm too, with a heated steering wheel while drinking my Starbucks Nitro! But on the bright side, y’all paid more for a peasant truck!

 

[Josh84]

This is exactly right…sand. Torsen is useless if you lift a front tire off road. It’s nice, but there is no guarantee a non torsen truck would have trouble or get stuck especially with the traction control systems these days. After my front diff issues in the past, id prefer a simpler front end and 4A being straight as an arrow. I’d prefer a very rarely used selectable locker.

Apply a small amount of brake and the unit will bias torque to the tire with traction.

 

[shigman]

Not that I’ve really ever used trail control…but that system brakes wheels individually. I know traction systems that mimic mechanical traction with brakes aren’t incredibly popular, but it does do it. If you need to use the brakes to activate the torsen with a wheel in the air the computer will do it anyway. Not that it has ever happened but it would be good to compare lap times, or struggle in a situation between torsen and non torsen. Sounds like a test TFL would make a useless mess of.