Factory 4x4 lift blocks color code?

[Otis413]

I had to swap out the rear axle on my 04 Ranger with one from my 02. I was in a hurry 'cause I needed to be able to get to work the next morning. My question is about the factory "bump-stop" lift blocks, I noticed they were stamped with "PINK" and "BLUE", being in a hurry I didn't take the time to compare the two.
So, what is the difference between them? Just curious...

 

[Curious Hound]

Used to be..... blue for boy and pink for girl

These days.... I got no clue

 

[scotts90ranger]

They've all been 2" from the factory since '83 as far as I've heard.

If it's just a colored mark it's probably from the assembler that they were checked, different colors for different people rotating around...

 

[Otis413]

..............If it's just a colored mark it's probably from the assembler that they were checked, different colors for different people rotating around...

Stamped in, I only noticed when I was knocking the loose rust off, I thought maybe it had to do with alignment adjustment (?) now that I have a day off I might check the blocks on the donor truck.

 

[Otis413]

Just checked the donor truck, 2 1/2" thick blocks, PINK on the DS and BLUE on the PS. Also noticed under the "horn" (piece that hits the rubber stop) cast into the part is an arrow pointing forward (each side) and "LWB/SC 4X4" (also each side)
These are from an 02 XLT 4x4 with off road package, 8.8 rear.

EDIT: I got out my dial calipers and it looks like they are slightly wedge shaped, 2.565" thick to the front and 2.595" thick to the rear (rust and wear amounts unknown) It doesn't sound like much but I guess FoMoCo thought it was important for the pinion angle.. (?)

 

[Dirtman]

30 thousands of an inch would make it a 0.2 degree angle. I dont think ford gets that precise. And if so, for the love of god why.

 

[Otis413]

30 thousands of an inch would make it a 0.2 degree angle. I dont think ford gets that precise. And if so, for the love of god why.

That's what I was thinking, the machinist in me thinks .030 is a lot but considering the donor vehicle had 250k miles it could just be wear...
I'd be interested in seeing some NOS blocks for comparison.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I just ran across a set of blocks from a 91 ranger stx; 4" by eye. I will measure properly in a bit.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Just measured the stock blocks from my '89 chassis, 2.58" on one end and 2.48" on the other so .1" front to back whether that's from compression of 200k miles or not I'm not sure... and that was the same measurement across the two blocks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

91 STX
Passenger side stamped "red"
Front 3.585 rear 3.528
Drivers side stamped "green"
Front 3.558 rear 3.527

Paint and rust may be a measurement issue. I did do a quick wire wheel job.

I think that is within tolerances for cast steel. There is an arrow indicating front so maybe there is a slight difference front to back. Also states 4x4 in casting.

 

[Dirtman]

Sometimes the pin at the base of the block, and the recess at the top of the block are offset (in order to shift the axle back or forward depending on the arch of the springs). No clue on a ranger since ive never seen factory ranger blocks but that would be a reason for the specification from left/right and front/back.

The front/back measurements just dont seem significant enough (to me at least) to matter for pinion angle reasons.