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Just bought a used '99 Ranger XLT Sport, 3.0 L engine w/auto transmission. I'm new to Rangers (in fact, it's been a good 15 years since I've owned a pickup. I know, I know). Does this truck have a limited slip differential? The user manual is decidedly unhelpful in this area and the dealer is clueless.
As far as I know it just depends on how the trucks were ordered. They can be ordered with or without limited slip. Or maybe it is only available on 4WD rangers or just on the models with the 4.0. I am not sure. The two best ways to do this are to 1. check the tag on the differential caver and see if you can identify the numbers. If you post the numbers on her someone should be able to help you.
2. Jack up the rear of the truck and put the transmission into neutral. Spin one of the wheels. If the other side follows in the same direction with a little resistance it is limited slip. If it is not the other wheel will spin the other direction. A better way to verify this is to put the tranny back into park and then spin one wheel. Then the other should spin in the opposite direction freely. This means that you have an open differential or a non-limited slip. If you try this with the transmission in park and there is a lot a resistance and the other wheel is nudging with the same actions of the wheel you are trying to spin then this means that you have a limited slip rear axle.
If you look under the "axle" ID on the door jamb sticker you'll see a 2 digit code. If you have a letter followed by a number, you'll have a limited slip rear. A two digit number is an open rear. Post the full code and maybe someone can get you the original gear ratio, too. It should be a 7.5" rear. Since it's a '99 I'll say that the rear hasn't been swapped, but there's always that chance. If you have doubts, follow Derick's recs.
While on the subject, how strong/reliable are factory limited slips. I got one for my 8.8 at a swap meet and want to put it in my daily driver, that will see larger tires (33" or 35") and be run in sand dunes on occasion. I was going to rebuild it but I was wondering if maybe I should go with an aftermarket locker. I would mini-spool it if I didn't drive it daily.
Interesting that you have an E40d in a 6 cyl f150. Didn't know they did that...cool!
The smaller LSD's are pretty weak bias wise and reliability wise. After 100k miles the one in my dads Bronco was pretty wasted with just road driving. If you are going off road at all, it will probably burn up. The heavier axle LSD's are stronger but still relatively weak.
Check randy's ring and pinion they have a good page there that details all the different kinds and can help with a recommendation.
The E4OD is the only automatic offered with the 300 on the 92-96 F150s. Not certain if the 89-91 models used it as well, but I'm fairly sure they did. The AOD-E / 4R70W was considered too weak for the 300.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
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