3.55 LS stock?

[greasydonkey]

my buddy just bought my grandfathers low mile 97 4.0 explorer 4x4. i looked it over after he bought it and saw the 45 axle code. i know this is a 3.55 open rear axle.

I go to junkyards often and buy, rebuild, and sell rear ends and have never come across a 3.55 limited slip combo in an explorer/mountaineer before. lots of 3.27, 3.73 and a few 4.10 posi's, but never a 3.55 with anything other than an open differential. I dont even see a code listed anywhere for a 3.55 posi in this vehicle. was it ever an option, and if so, under what code?

We could just build a differential and swap it into his rear, but id prefer to find a whole rear already together and just rebuild the carrier with new clutches, but if they werent made, we will have to take a posi out of something else and put his ring gear on it and reset the whole thing.

Any ideas or info on a factory 3.55 LS explorer rear?

Thanks!!

 

[scucci]

1997 rear axle code chart
Rear Axle Codes
Code Conventional/ Limited Slip # Capacity Ratio
41 Conventional 3200 3.27
45 Conventional 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
46 Conventional 3200 3.73
D1 Limited Slip 3200 3.27
42 Conventional 3200 4.10
D2 Limited Slip 3200 4.10

 

[greasydonkey]

i gathered that much, but was wondering if there were other years that offered a 3.55 LS factory and if so, what was the code and year?

 

[scucci]

found R5 code in 1996 ranger is a 3:55 limited slip.

 

[greasydonkey]

r5 is a ranger axle and will be 28 spline