A3 axle code=???
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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A3 axle code=???
Hi All - new to the board here, but not to mechanics in general. I've tried search, and the tech archives here, but cant find the info I need. I'm looking at doing an axle swap under my SUV, and have have access to an Aerostar rear axle: its in a full service yard, and they dont want to pull the cover and count teeth: door code on the donor reads A3..I've tried a few places, and it seems its not one of the common codes.
can anyone on here tell me what ratio the axle is, and whether its a 7.5", or 8.8" ??
thanks in advance
chris
can anyone on here tell me what ratio the axle is, and whether its a 7.5", or 8.8" ??
thanks in advance
chris
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: PNW
A3 axle code=???
The axle should have a tag on it that says something like 3L73 88 XXYY. There will be some other letters and numbers for things like the plant code and date. Look for the numbers that look like a common ratio (i.e., 3.08, 3.27, 3.55, 3.73, etc.), they will either have an L between or no L between them. The numbers will vary according to what's inside, but you should be able to determine the ratio and whether it's a locker. So, in the example I gave, the L would be for a locking differential and it would appear where the decimal should appear in the ratio. The ratio in the example I gave would be 3.73. The 88 would be for an 8.8 inch and if it were 7.5 inch, you would see 75 on the tag. There may be a decimal between the numbers for the axle size, but I don't remember seeing it on either my Ranger or Aerostar.
By the way, what kind of SUV will you be putting this in? When I looked at a Hollander Interchange a while ago, I don't remember the Aerostar axle being a direct swap into either the Ranger or Explorer. That doesn't mean it won't fit, just that the part number is different.
By the way, what kind of SUV will you be putting this in? When I looked at a Hollander Interchange a while ago, I don't remember the Aerostar axle being a direct swap into either the Ranger or Explorer. That doesn't mean it won't fit, just that the part number is different.
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New User
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A3 axle code=???
thanks for the tag decode - just gotta convinvce the yard to let me in again, and I should be all set.
the Suv is 'something wierd' - a Niva. You never got them in the US, and the Aerostar axle isnt exactly a direct swap ( nothing is) I'm using the Aerostar axle 'cause I can get them cheap, lots of ratios are available, they're not 'too' big, and (biggest reason) because theyre the right width, and lug pattern to match the SAS I'm doing in up front. the original axles used 6.125" ring gears, and my diesel conversion is just eating them, so gotta get inventive.
if you're real curious about it :
http://home.off-road.com/~northern_gypsy/?OFX
thanks again
chris
the Suv is 'something wierd' - a Niva. You never got them in the US, and the Aerostar axle isnt exactly a direct swap ( nothing is) I'm using the Aerostar axle 'cause I can get them cheap, lots of ratios are available, they're not 'too' big, and (biggest reason) because theyre the right width, and lug pattern to match the SAS I'm doing in up front. the original axles used 6.125" ring gears, and my diesel conversion is just eating them, so gotta get inventive.
if you're real curious about it :
http://home.off-road.com/~northern_gypsy/?OFX
thanks again
chris
