I have a 2004 Ranger XLT Supercab with a 4.0 .On my door sticker it has for an axel code 97. I can't find what this code means. Does not matter but was just wondering.

 

4.10 non-limited slip 8.8"

 

Is this a good rear. I have no idea between the differance of a non limited and a limited slip. This is all new to me . Thanks for the answer.Tom

 

Well...if you off-road or live in a snowy/icy place (I believe NJ qualifies), limited slip keeps you from getting stuck. Well it helps anyways. Basically one wheel can only spin so fast without the other wheel spinning as well.
4.10 is more of an acceleration rear end, you prolly run pretty high RPMs on cruise don't ya? I have 3.08s, I have less acceleration but a lot lower cruising RPMs, generally better mileage at the same speed, and it takes me longer to redline. I can also top out faster if that makes any difference, which in these trucks it really doesn't.

The three main differential types are:
open - one wheel can spin freely if it leaves the pavement without the other ever turnin'. This is what you have. If you get one rear tire stuck, you ain't goin' nowhere.
LS (limited slip) - one tire will spin, but eventually the other will start spinnin' to. If you got stuck in a pothole or something, just one wheel, you could gun it and the other would get enough torque to move ya along.
locked - both tires are fully locked and never spin freely from each other. Not a whole lotta practical use in real time driving, bad for road travel, useful for off-roading. Most of these differentials aren't locked all the time, they just are lockable when the driver wants. (i.e. the new Tacoma)

 

Open rear end (non L/S) - sends power to the tire with the least amount of traction.

L/S - sends power to the the tire with the greatest traction and engages both tires on an axle to drive the vehicle. Has a clutch pack that wears over time and looses effectiveness to deliver L/S performance.

Torsen (found on, amongst many vehicles, our level II's) - same as above but has no clutch pack to wear out. Clutch pack is replaced by a gearing system. L/S effectiveness and performance is 100% over the life of the vehicle.

*A L/S, posi (General Mumblers products) or Torsen can, if you're not careful and under the right circumstances, put the rear bumper of your vehicle ahead of the front bumper in slick conditions, thus it's of great benefit to the driver to know at the time of purchase if he has this option.

 

If you climb below your back bumper, there SHOULD be a tag on the far right lower bolt that says for you 4 10 (for a 4.10). The big ones for Rangers I think of are 3.08, 3.55, 3.73, and 4.10. There may be others though. I saw a 3.10 at a boneyard, dunno why it was that and not 3.08.

On the bright side, the 8.8" is a strong differential, as opposed to the 7.5" (I believe) used on most of the 2.3L/2.5Ls and 3.0Ls.

 

When I bought my '04 new, 4.10 open was standard with 4.0 and manual trans.

--van

 

Also, bigger stock tires keep the RPM down.

 

You guys are great thanks for all the info.Tom