limited slip vs locker questions from a newb

[dirt virgin]

Hey guys I'm new to the 4wd scene and don't know a whole lot about off road performance so I apologies for the newb questions in advance.

I bought a 98 explorer sport with a d4 rear end. The net says it's 3.73 limited slip differential from the factory. Well I was driving in a loose Creek bed and it felt like my X was sinking. I had it in 4 hi and it felt like it was only getting power to one wheel on each side, front and rear. Am i right to assume the rear wasn't locking together? Will this diff even lock?

What should be my starting point to get a little more off road piece of mind? Front or rear locker first and which type because I'm not sure what to do with the rear differential or front.

 

[griz700rocket]

Most likely the clutch packs are shot on your factory limited slip. You options are to rebuild the factory limited slip or buy a locker to replace it. If you daily drive or don't seriously offroad I recommend rebuilding the factory setup. Then you can get a lock-right or a torsen for the front.

 

[dirt virgin]

I can't see how it would be shot. The truck had 108k miles and was never off road before I got it. The most 4x4 was used was on boat ramps according to the previous owner and I can believe it considering how clean the truck is all around.

Maybe it was the tires. I wanted to get some knobbie a/t but was talked into a pair of nexen radian pros sight unseen by the shop. They have tread depth but ya a not what I really wanted. Live and learn probably shouldn't have said I wanted to do light 4x4.

 

[dirt virgin]

Is this the correct locker for the explorer?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/251544642036

 

[Varsity]

I'm pretty sure they can wear out regardless like most parts on a car. When I swapped my axles from a 3.55 open to a 4.10 l/s from a truck with 250k, everything was shot in it so I ended up getting it rebuilt. I agree with anyone else who says stick with a l/s if you're driving it daily.

Of course an L/s isn't a 50/50 split so if you're doing hard core offroading you may want a locker. I almost got stuck in a wet mud hole/ run and my free side was still moving alot easier than the stuck side and that wad with a fully rebuilt axle.

 

[rjcooperss396]

The clutches will wear even when the truck is not used offroad. Every time you turn a corner the inside wheel turns slower than the outside wheel. This wears the clutches.

That is not the correct Lock-Right for an Explorer. For the front you need this one.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwt-2311-lr/overview/year/1998/make/ford/model/explorer

For the rear you need this.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwt-92-0688-3128/overview/

 

[dirt virgin]

Thanks for the input guys!