My stepson has a 2006 XLt 4x4 with 4cly engine. He tells me he needs a new rear differential. I was in the trucking business for years and told him to take it to a shop I know could have taken care of it, that was in June. He still needs a rear differential. I just want it fixed so don't have to listen to his Mother talk about it anymore . Assume I know nothing, I asked him what he needs and all he said was rear differential. Where do I go from here to get the part?

 

Not knowing what part he needs is going to make it difficult to help him.

Does he just need a new carrier, or Ring & Pinion, spider gears, or the whole assembly from brake drum to brake drum?

7.5" or 8.8" ring gear?

What gear ratio?

9" or 10" brake drums?

I'd try https://www.car-part.com/

 

He said he needed a differential. I don't know anything. What should I ask him to narrow down my search?

 

Easiest and probably least expensive would be to replace the whole assembly.

Need to know
What size ring gear, what gear ratio, and what size brake drum.

On his driver door there is a tag, we need the axle code, this example shows F7

 

Do you have any other places I can try for parts ?
Thank you fir your help

 

He has a 2006 Ranger 4x4 so there are TWO differentials, front and rear because its 4WD
And the 2006 Ranger 4x4s NEVER EVER came with a 4cyl engine, V6 only, 3.0l or 4.0l engine
So either is not a 4x4 or its not a 4cyl engine, you need to find out which

He needs to take a picture of the drivers door "Build Label"

Look under AXLE for the 2 digit Code
This is needed to Match front and rear ratios, the very FIRST THING he needs to do
Then you will know what parts to look for

Build Label AXLE codes seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...ag-door-codes/

Say it has the code R6, that's an 8.8" differential with a 3.73 Ratio and Limited Slip
Which is not the same as an R7 or 96 when looking for parts

So he/you need to know what you have now to know what you need to replace it with


Like saying "I need to get a tire" but you don't have the wheel/rim size, so there is no answer to that question, lol