Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
Seeking answers I came across this site/forum so will ask here. Rear axle is #45. What ratio is this? Transmission is T, meaning what? Type GVW is U34T which means? The info is needed so I can work out how my vehicle's payload and how much trailer I can tow.
j_m
j_m
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From: BC, Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
Hi johny_maple and welcome to FTE 
I dont see a U34T but the U34 means either 5540 or 5600 GVW.
The 45 rear axle code means it is a non limited slip 3.55 with a 3200lb capacity.
Transmission code T is for the 4 spd automatic with overdrive.
If you have the 4.0L engine that would be an A4LD.
I dont see a U34T but the U34 means either 5540 or 5600 GVW.
The 45 rear axle code means it is a non limited slip 3.55 with a 3200lb capacity.
Transmission code T is for the 4 spd automatic with overdrive.
If you have the 4.0L engine that would be an A4LD.
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
Many thanks Racerguy - and what a big difference your numbers make! I have been under the impression from both an RV dealer and our Ford dealership that the XLT has a 4.10 rear. That it actually has a 3.55 means I'll have to review what we can tow although I notice that the vehicle info plate lists the GVWR at 5280 lb. to your 5540 or 5600.
j_m
j_m
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From: BC, Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
I'm not sure why my manual doesnt list the U34T but what your door tag says should be right.
Another way to verify the rear end gears is to take a look at the tag on the rear cover. It should say 3 55 or 4 10.
My wife's XLT has 3.55 gears.
How big of a trailer are you looking at? A couple years ago we were thinking about buying one but didnt. We were looking at ultra light trailers and at regular ones. I've never tried towing with an Explorer and I've always wondered what it would work like.
Another way to verify the rear end gears is to take a look at the tag on the rear cover. It should say 3 55 or 4 10.
My wife's XLT has 3.55 gears.
How big of a trailer are you looking at? A couple years ago we were thinking about buying one but didnt. We were looking at ultra light trailers and at regular ones. I've never tried towing with an Explorer and I've always wondered what it would work like.
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
We're currently towing a Trail-Lite Bantam 17 (hybrid) whose dry weight is listed as 2750 lb. We've been thinking about moving to a 19' Bantam or a 16' Airstream Bambi but don't want to get into buying a bigger tow vehicle. The immediate problem is the additional weight of an aluminum canoe we want to take with us this summer. Before working on weight formulas etc., I needed to verify the XLTs running gear which you have done for me. With the 4.10 rear, it wasn't a concern (I was told), but now I find I have a 3.55 and am getting antsy about staying within legal weight/tow limits. FYI, the Trail-Lite hybrid trailers are as light as you can get. With a weight distributing hitch and anti-sway bars, the XLT tows the B17 like a charm.
j_m
'95 Explorer
'98 B17
j_m
'95 Explorer
'98 B17
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
The only Explorers that come with a 4.10 axle are those that also came equipped with 255 70R16 tires and 16" rims. The 4.10s were used to offset the taller tires. If you have 15" rims, then the tallest gear ratio your Explorer would have came with would be a 3.73. The '95-'01 Explorers came with either a 3.27, 3.55, 3.73 or 4.10 axle. For your RV dealer and Ford to both assume that yours had a 4.10 without even checking into it was completely irresponsible. As RacerGuy said though, your axle tag indicates yours is a 3.55. Check your Owner's Guide for your particular model (# of doors, automatic transmission, 4x4 vs. 4x2) to see what your Explorer is rated at towing.
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
Hello. The door tag has the axle designation, #45. However, knowing where to look now, I've just come out from under the XLT and have the following from the housing tag. S632 and either 8 or B is the top line. On the bottom line: 55 88J, D or 0 followed by 003. The manual was the first place I looked. That's when I couldn't find a #45/4.10 listed and came to the 'net for answers. I think what I need to do now is weigh the XLT loaded for a trip, ditto the camper and use the formulas in the manual to get permissable payload, combined towing limit, weights on each axle, etc. Many thanks to you both for the info. (If there's anything that catches your eyes and I should know about in the info I've taken off the tag, I'd appreciate you contacting me again.) Regards,
j_m
j_m
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
The "55" from your axle code does confirm that your Explorer at least left the manufacturer with 3.55 gears. Most of the Explorer rear end tags that I've seen didn't include the first digit. It will have an "L" though if it were a limited slip. For instance my 4.10 limited slip starts out "L10". Since the only ratios offered were 3.27, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10 Ford didn't feel it was necessary to put the first digit on since you can tell what ratio it is by just the last two numbers. They probably saved 2 seconds of stamping time per tag per Explorer
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
I was wondering about the missing three and decimal point, thinking that maybe they were covered over where the tag was attached. By the way, is the axle ratio part of the VIN? Too bad AL-KO didn't attach the same kind of tag to the trailer axle. The axle is being replaced but without the info, the first two AL-KO sent to our RV dealer didn't fit. The third one arrives this week and we're just waiting for a phone call. In the meantime, I've located a private weigh scale where I can take the loaded truck and trailer, work out the loads then compare with those in the manual for the 3.55. Again, thanks for your help.
j_m
j_m
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
No, the axle ratio is not part of the VIN. The Ford VIN consists of:
The first three digits identify the manufacturer and the vehicle make and type.
The fourth digit determines the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR-Class) and brake system for Ford-completed trucks and Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) . For incomplete vehicles, the fourth digit determines the brake system only.
Digits five, six, and seven identify the model or line, series, chassis, and body type.
The eighth digit points out the particular engine found in the vehicle.
Digit nine is a check digit.
The tenth digit identifies the model year.
The eleventh digit identifies the assembly plant.
Digits twelve through seventeen make up the sequence and warranty number. Digit twelve uses the letter "A" until the production or sequence of 99,999 units (digits thirteen through seventeen) is reached. Letter A then becomes B for the next production sequence of vehicles
The first three digits identify the manufacturer and the vehicle make and type.
The fourth digit determines the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR-Class) and brake system for Ford-completed trucks and Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) . For incomplete vehicles, the fourth digit determines the brake system only.
Digits five, six, and seven identify the model or line, series, chassis, and body type.
The eighth digit points out the particular engine found in the vehicle.
Digit nine is a check digit.
The tenth digit identifies the model year.
The eleventh digit identifies the assembly plant.
Digits twelve through seventeen make up the sequence and warranty number. Digit twelve uses the letter "A" until the production or sequence of 99,999 units (digits thirteen through seventeen) is reached. Letter A then becomes B for the next production sequence of vehicles
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
Interesting, because that's where the RV dealer "got" the
information from re: the 4.10 rear. It also means the Ford dealership went along with it and didn't check the tag as you suggested I do and did. Guess that's it for this thread. Have a good summer. j_m
information from re: the 4.10 rear. It also means the Ford dealership went along with it and didn't check the tag as you suggested I do and did. Guess that's it for this thread. Have a good summer. j_m
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
They may have mistakenly thought that the 4th digit (GVWR-Class) meant that it came with a ceratin axle. This isn't the case though. For instance, my '97's 4th digit is "D". When the VINs 4th digit is a D it means that my GVWR is between 5001-6000 lbs. This matches my Vehicle Certification Label inside the driver's door which lists my GVWR at 5060 lbs. There are a lot of Explorers that fall in the GVWR range of 5001-6000 lbs. They can have any of the 4 axle ratios offered. The axle ratio isn't going to change my GVWR, only my GCWR which includes tow rating. BTW a "C" = 4001-5000 lbs. and a "E" or "R" means 6001-7000 lbs. Your Explorer should fall into one of these categories (most likely "D" though).
Body type wouldn't have told them anything other than if Your Explorer had 2 or 4 doors, 2WD, 4WD or AWD.
My guess is that they tried using the GVWR-Class digit and assumed that it related to axle ratio (which they can't do).
Body type wouldn't have told them anything other than if Your Explorer had 2 or 4 doors, 2WD, 4WD or AWD.
My guess is that they tried using the GVWR-Class digit and assumed that it related to axle ratio (which they can't do).
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From: Brantford, ON. Canada
Codes, 1995 Explorer XLT
I can see the RV dealer thinking that perhaps the XLT has a 4.10, but the Ford dealer should have known better. No? Anyway, oddly enough, someone on an RV forum I participate in is trying to figure out the ratio on their 2002 Expedition. A reply included an URL so I checked out the site. #45 (on our door plate) is listed as being a 4.10!!! You or Racerguy mentioned that if we had a 4.10, the XLT would have 16" rims which ours does not. Going with the information from both of you, plus the tag, plus wheel size, I would say the ratio is 3.55 - but what about the info I picked up at this site?
http://www.drivetrain.com/Fordtrkratio_posidata.html
http://www.drivetrain.com/Fordtrkratio_posidata.html