Does a Ford F-150 have positive trac?

Answer 1

Some do and some don't. They typically use either a Dana or Borg Warner gear set. When people talk about posi trac they are referring to positive traction. On most rear wheel drive vehicles power is really only directed to one wheel or the other and as long as that wheel doesn't spin you are on your way. However, if you lose traction that wheel will just continue to spin. With posi trac if one wheel spins faster than the other, the differential (the big round part in the middle of the axle) has a spline that causes the power to be shifted to the other wheel giving you positive traction. Probably the easiest way to check your truck is to go out to a dirt road and punch it whiles someone stands off to the side. If only one wheel spins you don't have posi trac. If both spin, you do.

Also here is a little hint about late model trucks and traction. If you aare on ice or snow and can't get it rolling, put it in second gear (2) to deliver less power to the wheels and it just might surprise you. On older models if you put it in any gear it always started in low so this little trick didn't work so well.