I have a 1979 Ford F150 Ranger, I got a Ford 9" in the rear. I looked up the numbers from the vin plate and it says the first two numbers identify the rear axle...ok I go it (H2) which is a ford 9" Now it say the third number identifies the front axle, we'll on my vin plate there is no third number. I even thought I may have looked at it wrong and checked again, but no third number. So can anyone please explain this?


Thanks
Eric

Here is the second line on the vin plate, 117 7 F140 DT4 F H2

 

Probably a standard Dana 44...1/2 ton 5 lug, 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern, single piston disk brakes.

What else do you need to know? Anything wrong or just getting informed.

FYI yes 9" rear axle, pretty good axle over all.

 

What are the reasonable tire size limitations for these axles? 38"?

 

Well my hubs on the front has a little play in them, but I just wanted to be informed. I plan on dropping both rears in the fall and rebuilding them. ( new seals and bearings) is all I hope!

Thanks for the info.

 

Well my hubs on the front has a little play in them, but I just wanted to be informed. I plan on dropping both rears in the fall and rebuilding them. ( new seals and bearings) is all I hope!


Thanks for the info.

 

If there is a 3rd digit (could be a number or letter) of the AXLE code, it usually does not ID the front driving axle. Ford rarely used a 3rd digit for this purpose after 1966.

Front driving axle ID tag located under one of the bolts that retains the inspection cover to the housing. But, by now...many of these tags are missing.

117" Wheelbase.

7 = Desert Gold Metallic.

F140 = F150 4WD Pickup, 6,050 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

DT4: DT: Sand all Vinyl (Ranger XLT & Lariat) / 4 = Styleside Pickup.

F = Borg Warner T-18 4 Speed Manual Transmission.

H2 = Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.50-1 / Limited Slip / 3,750 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

1959 thru today: If the AXLE code begins w/a letter: Limited Slip / If w/a number: No Limited Slip.

 

Yeah, I knew to look for the tag. She's long gone. Lol

Thanks for the info!

 

Looking at it I believe it's a Dana 44, but not sure. I tried to clean off the half inch of grease,dirt, and oil to look for the marking but had no luck. But then again I only took a quick look. I am restoring the truck out at my father-ln- laws pole building, I was in the area this morning so I stopped to look quick. Next week when I am of I'll need to take a better look at her.

 

I personally wouldn't go over 35s. If you wheel it hard, even 35s might be pushing it. It all depends on how you plan to use the truck. For most people 35s would be fine. I wouldn't want to run 38s unless it was a parking lot queen.

 

All depends on how hard you are on it and how stock the truck alxe is.... locker, been re-geared? Chromo axles, traction devices, 33 to 35 will help save u joint and out put flanges.

38's and hard wheeling bust a stock axle shaft, u joint, strip a hub, blow a short front axle shaft....

Rear can be built tough enough, but that takes $$ and know how.

 

Is the letter for the axle code a K or an H? And if it is an H what does it stand for?

the decoder til at the top of the forum does not work for me

 

It's H2 Ford 9" limited slip rear. My vin plate is the same way, it doesn't have the third number at the end which identifies the front axle.

 

My apologies, I did not properly read the post above, the answer was right there. Thanks for the help

 

No problem.

 

F14 = F150 4WD Pickup.

H = 351M 2V

R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant.

FE3683 = 1979.

133" Wheelbase.

1 = Maroon Metallic.

F141 = F150 4WD Pickup, 6,300 lbs. GVWR

BD4: BD = Red all Vinyl (Ranger XLT & Lariat) / 4 = Styleside Pickup.

K = C6.

H2 = Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.50-1 / Limited Slip / 3,750 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

6,300 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

1979.

71 = Los Angeles (SoCal) Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.