Hey All,

My Parts Truck is a 1977 Ford F100 Explorer and/or Custom and I am trying to identify the rear end and figure out some of it's details. Based strictly on this link: Bad Shoe Productions How To Video Series - Ford Transmissions & Rears , I am fairly confident it is a Dana 44 as it matches the image perfectly and is in a late 70s Ford F100 as described (seems too much of a coincidence to not be true). I couldn't seem to find the model number where I think it should be (or any numbers for that matter) so I was hoping someone might be able to help me out in identifying it - I'm looking to sell it so any info to help I.D. it would be great. Also, if anyone is interested in buying, let me know. Here's a couple photos (apologies for the quality):















Thanks in advance!!!

 

Some 1976/79 F100/150's have the Ford 9" rear axle (no inspection cover), some have the Dana 44 rear axle (with an inspection cover).

Your truck has the Dana 44.

Post a pic of the Warranty Plate, riveted to the left door face below the latch.

Or post the AXLE code stamped on the 2nd line-far right of the Warranty Plate.

Rear axle ID tag located under 2 of the bolts that retains the inspection cover to the housing, but many of these tags are now missing.

 

It will also have the build codes stamped into one of the axle tubes - usually on either the front or back of one of the tubes - not the top or bottom. Will take some cleaning to find, but they will be there.

 

It's a D44. Probably high (lower numerically) ratio.

 

The L/H rectangle should be the axle info/ratio tag. The r/h circle might be where the axle id (model #) is cast, clean up that webbing and look for a 44.

R/H rectangle is where the date and BOM (bill of material) #'s are.

Run them here. Dana Holding Corporation - The Expert Axle Bill of Material

Ck this out. Dana 44 Tech Page

 

10 bolt cover is the giveaway.

 

Hey All,

Thanks so much for the great and quick replies (and sorry for my late one). I actually found a couple of the numbers on the back of the diff/axle housing (after a fair amount of cleaning. The axle info/ratio tag and bill of material # area gave me the bill of material number (603869-7) and I found most of the info I needed in a (Dana) Spicer document.

77&79F250 thanks a bunch for the locations to clean up
Mikeo0 - solid call on the gearing, it's a 2.72 ratio

and, lastly, NumberDummy - I have the 9 inch in my non parts truck so that will be the rear end going into my finished project truck. However, what's most intriguing to me about your message (which I just noticed) is that you said the Warranty Plate is riveted to the left door face, below the latch. One of the bigger confusions I'm finding right now is where to locate a legitimate VIN on this vehicle for my safety. I can't find a legit (riveted on) plate with a VIN: there is a sticker inside the driver door jam (B-pillar) but it is not legible (very warn), there is no VIN plaque on the dash/by the windshield or along the front pillar/kick plate area, nothing in the glove box. There is a VIN stamped on top of the frame (one I found in the engine bay and one apparently under the passenger seat/cab) however, I am using a donor frame with a VIN that does not match my ownership. I am very very confident that neither of my trucks are stolen/sketchy trucks and am finding, from reading forums online, that there is a huge majority of owners that run into this problem with not being able to find a legit VIN on this generation of F-Series - as of '73-79 they didn't affix a legit warranty plate.

Anyways! this is all to say...I am struggling to find a VIN located on what-will-be my finished project that I can use when having the vehicle safetied/certified and am wondering, is there any chance you mean below the door handle and riveted to the door face underneath/behind the interior door panel??? I will check first thing tomorrow morning but here's to hoping there may be one there. Either way, can you confirm that some came with a legit VIN plaque in this location, or recommend any other places I should possibly look that I maybe didn't think of.

Thanks again All!!

 

None of these trucks came with a dash mounted VIN plate. That didn't start until the 1980 model year.
The only "legal" VIN on these trucks is the one stamped into the frame.
For a VIN to be used for title purposes (the legal VIN) it has to be on a permanent part of the vehicle. The plate on the driver's door isn't considered a VIN plate because doors are easily changed. That's why Ford calls it a warranty plate.
Laws vary from state to state but in most, you need to title the truck using the frame stamped VIN.

 

Thanks for the response Mikeo0, I'll try to keep you posted as to how it plays out.