The VIN code 1FTCR15T7LPA15960 breaks down as
Manufacturer Identifier: 1FT
Body type: 2 Door Coupe
Line: 5
Assembly Plant: T
Model: 7
Year: 1993 (some codes are used for more than one year)
Month: July
Production Sequence: 5960
Well, you definatly screwed that up
1FT= Ford Truck, assembled in USA (2FT is Ford truck assembled in Canada)
C = Brake system GVWR
R = Ranger
15 = Supercab 4x4 (R14 would be a supercab 2wd)
T = 2.9 EFI engine
7 = Check digit
L = model year (1990)
P = Assembly Plant (Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) like ALL Ranger Supercabs)
And through all that there is NO information in the vin to tell him the date at which ford switched form the D28 axle to the D35 axle
Because THAT information is on the Safety & Compliance label
on the end of the drivers door.
the 1990 model year 4x4 Rangers made up until the end of November
of 1989 came with dana 28 axles, after that they generally came with Dana 35 axles.
The EASY way to be sure?
Method 1
Count the bolts that hold the front diff chunk to the drivers side beam
the later D35 axle has TEN (10) bolts)
Pull a front wheel and locking hub and count the splines,
a Dana 35 axle is 27splines, (a Dana28 only has 23)
Look at your front driveshaft, is there a slip joint assembly built into the front shaft with a double cardan joint that attaches to a "half moon" yoke on the FIXED front out put of your t-case? (if so you have a 13054 T0-case and MUST have a Dana 35 axle)
IF there is only a SINGLE joint at the front output of the T-case
and an "Accordion boot" to cover the slip joint that's built into the front of the T-case then you have a 13-50 T-case and almost certainly have a Dana 28 axle.
Frankly if I had a busted Dana 28 axle I would drive the truck as a 2wd
than waste money fixing the damned thing.
I'd replace the D28 with a D35.
AD