Simple, Stupid axle question
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 6
From: College Station, TX
Simple, Stupid axle question
On this page Ford Rear Axle Assembly Identification - Page 10 - FORDification.com
What does the NL vs L mean? I expect L is for limited slip so NL is...?
My axle code is S129N which translates to 4.10s on a sterling 10.25 with NL.
What does the NL vs L mean? I expect L is for limited slip so NL is...?
My axle code is S129N which translates to 4.10s on a sterling 10.25 with NL.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,347
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From: Mi'kma'ki
NL refers to Non Locker.also called open diff,or not LS (limited slip.)
looking there at that link,they are using codes:
L = Locker (course we know ford doesn't use a true locker,its limited slip for practical street use/cornering.they're just using "L" loosely,to identify factory LS = Limited Slip.)
NL = Non Locker
looking there at that link,they are using codes:
L = Locker (course we know ford doesn't use a true locker,its limited slip for practical street use/cornering.they're just using "L" loosely,to identify factory LS = Limited Slip.)
NL = Non Locker
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 6
From: College Station, TX
Yeah that's a pretty great link. I can't take credit for it though. It was on an old thread and I think CudaJim supplied it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: West Texas
They did have lockers. Real ones. My F350 has what looks like a detroit locker in the rear and it's factory. It's not a clutch pack type limited slip.
It makes it a real bear trying to turn into my driveway when it's raining sometimes but otherwise I love it. We are on a dirt road.
From what I have read there were two types of lockers in these. One made by Eaton I guess, who owns detroit locker and one made by Ford. Probably the same thing with a different name.
It makes it a real bear trying to turn into my driveway when it's raining sometimes but otherwise I love it. We are on a dirt road.
From what I have read there were two types of lockers in these. One made by Eaton I guess, who owns detroit locker and one made by Ford. Probably the same thing with a different name.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,842
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From: hillsborough nj
They did have lockers. Real ones. My F350 has what looks like a detroit locker in the rear and it's factory. It's not a clutch pack type limited slip.
It makes it a real bear trying to turn into my driveway when it's raining sometimes but otherwise I love it. We are on a dirt road.
From what I have read there were two types of lockers in these. One made by Eaton I guess, who owns detroit locker and one made by Ford. Probably the same thing with a different name.
It makes it a real bear trying to turn into my driveway when it's raining sometimes but otherwise I love it. We are on a dirt road.
From what I have read there were two types of lockers in these. One made by Eaton I guess, who owns detroit locker and one made by Ford. Probably the same thing with a different name.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: West Texas
It's factory. It talks about them in the service manual too. I'm not the first owner but I do have the paperwork. The original owner ordered it with them and it was built that way. I believe that was the only way you could get lockers till you got into the bigger trucks back then.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,955
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From: Wyoming
Gears!
I will take some pics of the factory unit and post it... Why? Because I actually have one from that specific year, sitting in the bed of my truck completely open and viewable! 
This is one of the few times I actually have something like this readily available! LOL!
Here ya go..
I am really curious too! I wondered about this, as I have the entire differential assembly I just took out of a 97 F-250 HD with 4.10 gears. My gear tag reads as follows:
S 132 N
4L10 10 2 7030
This is one of the few times I actually have something like this readily available! LOL!Here ya go..
I am really curious too! I wondered about this, as I have the entire differential assembly I just took out of a 97 F-250 HD with 4.10 gears. My gear tag reads as follows:
S 132 N
4L10 10 2 7030
Last edited by Midwest Dually; Jul 2, 2010 at 10:52 AM. Reason: added pic
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
From: Wyoming
Well now... thats interesting.. I am not sure what to say! I am not a gear guru. This is what came out of an axle that had that ID tag on the differential! I have seen the lockers online, and wondered about this.. dunno! Got me!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 6
From: College Station, TX
So here's another question. My donor has a rear axle code of S128K which translates to 3.55 on a 10.25 sterling but there's no NL or L. So what does that mean? The truck is a 95 250 4x4 XL 5 speed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
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From: MICHIGAN
That makes it an open carrier. The markings on the tag are different from the listing on the fordification site. They only add an L for the limited slip.