I have a '87 Bronco II 4X4 and rear axle just expired.( May it rest in peace). Does any one know how to decipher the axle code tag that was attached to a bolt on the rear housing cover. The axle tag reads:
|------------------|
| 6050 |
| SL73 A75 6K17 |
|------------------|
I"m trying to determine the axle ratio. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

If the axle that was on it was the stock axle, then check out this thread
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bronco2/192.html

The axle code is also on the sticker on the door panel, and this thread explains the meaning of the axle code provided on that sticker.

 

Hi, my name is Gonzalo, I own a 1988 Bronco II, I think you are missing a number because my axle tag reads as follows...3SL73 A75 that means you have 3.73 gear ratio, The "L" means locking and the "s" I think means "sensor" (ABS maybe), and about A75 that means you have a 7.5 differential. cuestions that may I can help, e-mail me gng6236826al(No Email Addresses In Posts!), I live in Albertville, Al. and work for Advance Autoparts. I hope my info can help you.

 

gimps and gonzalo,
Thanks for the replies to my post. There aren't too many places in my area of Ohio that have salvage yards that still have parts for my 87 Bronco II. Most of the salvage yards only carry parts for vehicles no more than 10 years old. I finally found an old wrecked Bronco and the man sold me the whole rear axle , only thing is it is not a limited slip. I guess one wheel pulling is better than none. When I tore the axle down, I played it safe and counted the teeth on the ring and the pinion. 41 on the ring gear and 11 on the pinion. That translates to 3.727272. Close enough to 3.73 for me. I was wondering about that electrical plug that went into the top of the housing. I haven't been able to find any info on it. My Chilton's and Haynes manuals don't mention it at all. The original axle had the elect. connection , but the other one I bought doesn't. Thanks again for the help.
olepigfarmer

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 16-Aug-01 AT 05:30 AM (EST)[/font][p]I'm guessing that the connection has to do with Anti-Lock brakes.. I could be wrong, but that is my only guess... In my opinion, ABS aren't as big as they're said to be. I live in Alaska, and we have long winters.. I went all winter with no studded tires or ABS, just 4 wheel drive.. had absolutely no problems at all.
And like I said in my last post, there is also an Axle code on the sticker on the driver's side door panel, that will tell you which axle was stock on the truck, and also shows if it had a limited slip differential.

 

I don't believe that the electrical connection on the rear axle housing has any thing to do with anti-lock brakes. My '87 Bronco II doesn't have an ABS system. I'll keep looking for an explanation on what it could possibly be.
olepigfarmer

 

A Rear Antil-lock Brake System or RABS was optional on Bronco II '87 and later. The system consist of a computer module, anti-lock brake valve and a speed sensor and exciter unit mounted in the rear axle housing. It is not an ABS system as such but prevents the brakes from locking up when the truck is lightly loaded. I hope this helps.

 

Hey all. I'm here to help clear the air a little about all this code stuff. Your axle is definitely a 3.73 axle. But the L does not, repeat does not mean locking. That's why you can't find a switch to engage it. It means limited-slip and without going into all the details, I'll leave it at that. The wire is for ABS brakes and yes b2's did have it on a lot of models. Mine has it and I just love it. It's kept me from bad slides many a time. Of course, I drive hard which doesn't help. Anyhow, you can find that axle on the new explorers much easier than b2's because I think most explorers come stock with it.

 

 

took me almost a month to find an axle for mine. I live in ky friend found me one in ga.