Info lifted from the US site:

The diff has a metal dog tag on which is a code:

S409B
3L73 102 8C11

The break down of these codes:

S409B: S = Sterling Differential 409 = Print Number (Model Number)

B = Revision Identifier (Change in Design)

3L73: 3L73 = 3.73 Ratio L = Limited Slip Absence of L = Open Differential.

102 denotes the ring gear size. 10.25 inches. 105 would be a 10.5 inch ring gear.

8C11 is the build date.

8 = year of manufacture. In this case it means 1998.
C = month of manufacture. A= January, L= December so C= March
11 = day of manufacture. So My differential was manufactured on March 11, 1998


My Aussie F205 diesel truck has:
V431 F L73 105 4J29

What does the V mean? Not a Sterling diff ? 431 = print number F=revision
I take is the L73 means 3.73 ratio limited slip diff
105 for the ring gear
4J29 means manufactured 2004, October, 29th.

If you want to figure out whether an after market diff cover will fit you will need to check the code of your diffs. Can others please post their diff code for comparisons?

 

So are the Aussie truck using Sterling diffs?

What after market diff cover size is required for the Aussie F250?

 

SSSimon,
Mine reads the following;
S-406C
73 10 5 901
I also noticed that the US trucks only have one pair of rear shockies, unlike the Aussie ones with two pairs under there. Ive purchased a LSD Hemisphere off a guy on the coast who go,s over to the states every 2 months and trolls the swap meets. He brings the gear back by the container load. All sorts of stuff, not just F Truck stuff. The LSD only has 2000 miles on it as it was changed out for an air locker.

 

Sterling 10.5 Simon if my memory serves me correctly. Dana 60 up front

 

Wallsy, sorry for the belated reply. Your truck is imported so has the US diff code.
That makes it nice and easy to buy parts from the US as your codes, and VIN, will go straight into the US parts suppliers computers to positively identify the exact model of your truck. If you ever go to a local stealership you'll give them a real headache when they try to run your vin.

Anyway, good pick up on the US LSD for your vehicle. Did you check if the diff that you're buying is also a 73 (i.e 3.73 final drive ratio) with a 10 5 (10.5") ring gear?

 

Funny, The limited times that I have gone to the stealerships, ie jack handle peices, they have struggled. In the end they waited for an Aussie one to come in and used its VIN number to order parts. I have just had the LSD centre fitted. What a saga, but it went in and is working well now. It only took the awesome mechanics 3 weeks to complete the job and get it right. Won't be going there again.

 

Stone the crows, 3 weeks! How much assembly did they have to do?

From my reading of various diff threads on the US FTE, you have to be very particular with the oil in the diffs on these vehicles. The LSD's actually need special friction modifiers added to the usual (synth) diff oil to get the LS working properly. You can save stuffing around with the adding of the modifier though by using the special LSD specific diff oil.

 

Originally I was quoted for 4hrs to swap the centres over. It was a hole day before they even got it on the hoist. Then the carrier bearings were showing signs of wear so I had them replaced, which is unusual at the miliage I have. Then I got to pick it up on the friday which is now 3 days. I drove it 20m down the road before the ABS light came on. I went straight back and blew up delux at the guy. Turns out he forgot to swap the tone ring from the old centre to the new one. I requested the manager who was holidaying is alaska at the time, so I waited a week before he got back. It that time it leaked a litre of oil out the back diff cover due to a poor seal job. They only just fixed it yesterday. Complete tools, and now you tell me there is a specific oil. I bet my morgage that this has not been used. Only standard LSD oil, and I have seen enough of that over the last week on my driveway.

 

If you are into your own maintenance Wallsy, do ya self a favour and get some aftermarket diff covers. They have a drain plug. Fill plug with magnetic dipstick. Well worth it IMO.

Riffraff Diesel Performance Parts: - Differential Covers

 

Definately do my own maintence, where possible. I have seen the diff covers and I do like them. That will have to be down the track. I have received the first shippment of parts from Clay, and just about to order the others I over looked, ie CAC Boots, Billit Plenums etc. I only want to be pulling the top of the engine off once and do everything, with in reason.

 

G'day Fellas,

I've got the Front Dana and the LSD Rear Stirling 3.73 diff centers preserved and packed away.
Reason; I've got ARB Air Lockers Front and rear. The OEM Diffs only done 5,000km before getting the lockers.
They're only taking up shelf space. If anybody is needing as good as new OEM diffs or know of anyone after a set; these are for sale.
I've also got a extra capacity Hd Ali rear diff cover with drain plug & extra cooling fins, to sell off as well.

Besides the F-Trucks, does anybody know what other vehicles were fitted with the Dana and Stirling diffs of our trucks? After all the ratio is a very common rear drive ratio at 3.73.
There may be some other truck make I can try and empty these diffs onto if nobody in our world wants them?

Cheers,
Reg

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aussie spec Brazilian built 2005 (US 2003) F-250 Superduty 4x4 7.3Ltr Powerstroke: PHP FU2 6 Pos’n Chip, 6 x ISSPRO Promax Guages, AIS Intake, Zoodad, Hutch'd n’ Harpoon'd, Cowl Hood, AIH Delete, DIY CCV, BTM muffler, MBRP 4” Black Tip, RiffRaff FRx,HPx,OCR, JWVB, ARB Air Lockers Front & Rear, V10 Tranny cooler in series with Stock Tranny cooler, Deep Tranny Pan, ARB Bull Bar, Edge Evo (for PIDs & Codes only), Long Range Fuel Tank, VMS in Dash GPS Street & Off Road Nav, Toyo OPAT AT 305 70R 16”on 10” Rims, Moog Greasable Ball Joints, Tough Dog RTC Steering Stabiliser, OME Suspension & Dual Tower Shocks, GVWR (GVM) Upgrade to 5,000Kg.

 

Reg,

What sort of money are you looking for for the rear diff cover mate? I could be interested.

 

G'day Wallsy,

Check ya 'Private Messages' mate. I sent you some info on it mate.

Cheers,
Reg

 

Got any photos of it Reg. Does it look Brians. Thats the one I Like.

 

G'day Wallsy,

Sorry mate I don't have a pic of it with me. I'm at sea for another 10days (not counting but) and I'll be back home. I'll take a pic and send it then.

Now .. presuming your talking about Brian's 'Diff Pumpkin' and not the 'Pumpkin on his shoulders; then no it doesn't look like his umpkin...in fact, not having met the chap, I can only compare 'Diff Pumpkins' if ya get my drift . But I'm sure someone can give a fair and honest comparison between his 'Diff Pumpkin and his umpkin

Now that I've managed to produce a confused answer to a rather simple question; I shall clarity my answer; No it doesn't look like Brians diff cover.
And I haven't had a drink for near on 6 weeks.

I'll try and google one the same and post it (my 'Diff Pumpkin cover that is).

Cheers,
Reg (not sure I should now)

“Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by and illogical and irrational minority, who hold forth the proposition that it, is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Aussie spec Brazilian built 2005 (US 2003) F-250 Superduty 4x4 7.3Ltr Powerstroke: PHP FU2 6 Pos’n Chip, 6 x ISSPRO Promax Guages, AIS Intake, Zoodad, Hutch'd n’ Harpoon'd, Cowl Hood, AIH Delete, DIY CCV, BTM muffler, MBRP 4” Black Tip, RiffRaff FRx,HPx,OCR, JWVB, ARB Air Lockers Front & Rear, V10 Tranny cooler in series with Stock Tranny cooler, Deep Tranny Pan, ARB Bull Bar, Edge Evo (for PIDs & Codes only), Long Range Fuel Tank, VMS in Dash GPS Street & Off Road Nav, Toyo OPAT AT 305 70R 16”on 10” Rims, Moog Greasable Ball Joints, Tough Dog RTC Steering Stabiliser, OME Suspension & Dual Tower Shocks, GVWR (GVM) Upgrade to 5,000Kg.