Front Differential numbers on cover question????

[1998Explodasport]

I just picked up a 2001 Explorer Sport with the SOHC. The previous owner told me it needed a front differential and included one with the sale. I removed the old one and the numbers on the differential covers don't match up, other than that everything else seems to match up correctly. Is there any way I can tell if this differential will work in my truck? My concern is the gears may be different.

 

[my98nnj]

Turn the output and count how many turns the input makes.
Verify it's the same for both diff's and you'll be set to go.

 

[ericautopart]

The ratio should be inscribed on the gear itself. The cover numbers don't matter. You can check the numbers on the tube if you trust it but something may have been changed over the years so I'd look at the gears themselves.

 

[1998Explodasport]

Thanks for the replies I ended up counting the teeth on the gears and they matched.