I've got a 76 Trailer Special with a C6 & 460. at least, it had the trailer special plate on the front passenger side. Have read all the posts on trailer specials I could find and still need a bit of help:

1. How to figure out the gear ratio for the read end. I read somewhere that the 38J means a 3.73, but I can't find that in the specs in the 76 shop manual- can the VIN or other codes in the posted pics tell me?

2. the shop manual also says F250's with 460 have a Dana 61-1- which is just a beefier 60 from what I understand, with some different ratios. How do I figure out if I have a 61-1 or a 60 in the truck? the plate on the axel is long gone. I've read in some posts that the TS came with the 60, not the 61, as it had more appropriate ratios for towing. I don't think the rear end has been changed, as all else seems stock, but who knows....

3. It does seem to have all the other TS items, like external tranny cooler (is that really special?), HD radiator (weren't all 460 radiators HD? ) HD front suspension. HD rear brakes - But it also has some things like the camper specials- battery holder on driver side, wiring for it, etc.

4. Matches up with picks I've seen of TS

Here are some pics to help out, any comments you have much appreciated!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ctureid=147197

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ctureid=147196

 

Your VIN is F25JRB79184.
F25 = F-250 Two Wheel Drive.
R = Built at the San Jose Assembly Plant.
J = 460 4-Barrel V8.
B79184 is your Build Sequence Code = March of '76 as a 1976.
133 = Your wheelbase, 133" 8' bed, regular cab.
MP= Color Code, M is Wimbeldon White, P is '76 Bali Blue.
F252 = GVW Code = 7800 GVW
DB4 = Body code which is a Ranger with styleside box.
G = Transmission Code = 3 spd Automatic, Most likely a C-6. (Which is bullet proof)
38 = the Rear axle code which is a Dana 60 with a 3.73 axle ratio.
J = the Front axle code which is just states you have power steering.
75 = DSO Office Code, where the truck was ordered from, which stands for District Sales Office. 75 is the Phoenix DSO Office.

 

Thanks 76, helpful- Nice to know it still is original paint scheme and its an arizona sold arizona truck! Now to start figuring out if I change the gear ratio will I get a bit better mileage- since I'm not going to tow much with it!

 

Since its just a regular cab 2wd, you dont really need the 3.73 axle ratio with a 460.......i just recently purchased a 73 F250 Camper Special with 3.54 axle(code 37J) and a swapped in 73 429 4bbl.......i havent tried to figure mileage, but its got plenty of power. your 460 ought to have as much HP/torque or even more, it ought to be able to use gears in the low 3.00's since you dont plan on towing.

 

Thx. I get 8-9mpg on a good day, full or empty bed. I've tried the better carb (edelbrock 1405 600cfm) & better intake (weiand stealth), nada, zip, didn't do anything noticeable for mileage. Sounds a bit better, maybe a bit more umph. You are right, it has plenty of power. Actually, I'm not even sure I would consider pulling a bass tracker and light trailer as towing .

For what I have into the truck, I can afford to mess with rear ends, & some other things, mabye headers. Don't think I'll gold plate it with a gear vendors though..