rear axle ?
 

ok, so i was searching a site for used rear axles and it brought up some questions.

first question: on the site, there were 2 choices -

8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, FX4 (locking), w/o Level II
and
8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, FX4 (locking), w/Level II

and i was wondering what the difference is between level II and not level II

second question: the same axle comes up under these two selections

8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, FX4 (locking), w/o Level II
and
8.8" ring gear, 10" brakes, 4.10 ratio, exc. FX4

in the description it says 4.10N V330L and its off an '04 ranger. is there really a difference? or would i need to just talk to the company about it?

either way i don't have the money to get it, i'm just trying to figure some things out. thanks for the help.

Level II is 31spline with a limited slip that uses helical gears(basically a shortened F150 axle). non-Level II is 28 spline and uses a limited with clutches(when equipped with LS).


No stock ranger came with any sort of locker.


Their inventory or where ever you're getting this info, is confusing to me because only the Level II is the different one. Their info is contradicting itself. Talking about the Fx4 (locking), non-Level II is confusing.

yeah, it was confusing me as well. thats why i asked.

so basically what you're saying is that level 2 is a more robust/durable/stronger setup?

Yes. But theres a cost: replacement axle shafts are very very scarce. As scarce as the axles are. It shares no other shafts...it's a unique length. So you can't just swap in an explorer shaft. And, you'd need new bigger ubolts and bigger spring plates.

so if i just want to swap out my stock open 7.5 with 3.73 gears to something with limited slip in order to give me a bit more performance offroad i shouldn't really worry about getting a level II?

yeah. LII ain't worth it. All you need is a regular old 28spline 8.8 LS.

sweet! so would pretty much anything out of a fx4 work? or is it just some have it and some dont?

and is there any years that work better than others?

all years work...stay clear of 2010, but i highly doubt you'll find a 2010. lol. As long as the Fx4 isn't a Level II or isn't an '02 Fx4, it'll have the axle you're after.

ah, whats the difference with the '02 fx4's?

and are the Torsen differentials worth it at all?

There was no Level II in '02, so the '02 FX4's were like the 03+ FX4 Level II's.

The Torsen is better than nothing (open diff).

whatever you do, get it fully locked. way more performence off road than a LS

yeah, but if i get it fully locked, won't that just suck balls driving it on the streets around town?

or did you mean just get a locker set up?

2002 Fx4 Off Road = 2003+ Fx4 Level II. Same truck, different names.

Stay the hell away from '02 Torsens(and inturn 02 Fx4 axles). They have a tendency to blow the F up. They were recalled too.


There ARE NO FACTORY LOCKERS. You don't want fully locked on the street. Ask me how I know....

The Ford trac loc found in 'normal' rangers are pretty darn good pieces of equipment. They're fully rebuildable and you can customize the clutch packs for more 'grab'.

are the fx4 level IIs different axle codes? or the same codes just with 31 splines instead?