I was wondering what is the electrical wires for that come out of the top of the diff? ABS?
Also would a rearend out of a 2006 E-450 interchange with the 2002?
Thanks

 

The wires go to the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS.) It sends the signal for vehicle speed to the engine/transmission computer and to the ABS.

 

Hollander says 2002 axles straight interchange from 00-03. After that apparently they changed the pinion angle according to my FSMs. Springs are the same to 05, and after that things just go wonky.

So, if you don't mind fabricating, making a new rear driveshaft, or cutting off the mounts and welding on new ones to correct the pinion angle, it might work. It will not just bolt in.

My local junkyard has an 03 e450 DRW rear axle from a chassis cab for ~790 with a 12 month warranty. LKQ might have something for ya.

 

Thanks for the reply Mark. I thought thats what it might be.
95e150cw, Thanks for looking that up for me. I was wondering what years crossed and what didn't. I'll try LKQ for something a little closer to home but thanks for doing a price check. It gives me a ballpark # to work with. Thanks again, Ray

 

On my '05 E350 the sensor and wires went to the ABS sensor. The speed sensor I think was in the transmission (torqshift). I repalced the axle and the new axle had the ABS sensors in the hubs. Currently the sensor is unhooked and the ABS light is on but everything else is find.

Michael

 

The speed sensor for the speedometer and the transmission control is on the rear axle, not on the TorqShift transmission.

 

Mark, I respect your opinion greatly but how can that be in all applications? The sensor that was in my old axle is not in the new as there is no place to install it. So the wire is just hanging for now until I can drill the housing and install the ABS tone ring. Everything else works fine and there is no other wires or plugs in the axle.

This is on a '05 with V10 and Torqshift

Michael

 

The software has a backup. It can deduce vehicle speed from the sensors on the transmission, but it isn't as accurate. You shift schedule will be a bit different from one where the vehicle speed sensor works correctly. You may not notice the difference.