1979 F100 Ranger Lariat

As far as I know, this thing is bone stock. I drive it home on the highway and to be honest I didn't count the shift. After I got it here, I didn't take it on a street that was over 35 mph. Now something died on the ignition system, so I can't run it out on the highway and count how many times it shifts. So I don't know if that is a 3 or 4 speed transmission. It shifts great, though, so that's something.

I'm particularly interested to know if I have a traction lock or LDS rear end.

Anyway, here are the pictures if you can tell anything from them:

 

Ford 9-inch with a C6 tranny (3-speed).



The rear axle **should** have an aluminum tag under one of the retaining nuts on the right side of the case (obscured in pic). Look for it.

On some it is on the left side as depicted below.

 

To determine if the 9" has Limited Slip...or not, the AXLE code is stamped on the 2nd line...far right of the Warranty Plate, located on the left door face below the latch. Post what it is.

 

Lariat. Sorry. My head is still foggy. It didn't look right when I was typing it. I will take a picture of the plate if it's still there.

 

Oy..it's got a catalytic converter. Converters, especially older ones, are typically very restrictive.

When ya learn more about your truck and able to wrench on it with confidence, it might be worth some HP to omit it when uprading the exhaust system. That is if your area is not subject to emissions testing, visual or otherwise.

 

I always plead ignorance. I actually did a lot of work on my 66 and 86 Mustangs and my 67 Galaxy 500. I just know it's better to get as much information as possible. Yes, since this truck is now over 35 years old, NC does not require emissions testing, so I will be removing the cat when I have the headers and dual exhaust put in. I'm also going to take off all the smog control stuff. The engine should be breathing a lot easier by the end of Spring.

I'm also planning to do a cam and timing chain swap and I am thinking I should do the rockers and springs and maybe pushrods while I am in there. I have an Edelbrock Performer 400 and a Holley 600 ready to go on now. I just need to know what gaskets to buy.

Any help with any of that is always appreciated.

 

Where in NC are you located? I'm near Gastonia.

 

Yup. C6 and a 9" They didn't have four speed automatics until well in to the '80s.

You could always jack up the rear end so both wheels are off the ground. Put the truck in neutral and spin a wheel. If the wheel on the opposite side spins the same way, it's a "posi". If it spins in the opposite direction, it's an open diff. Of course if the clutches are worn out, it will act like an open diff, regardless of the carrier.

 

Hey, I'm up around Lake Norman! Send me a PM if you ever wanna go check out a great boneyard I know of.


I took this picture. Now to decode it.



I think that is WDM CJ which makes it a 28 spline 2.75 9 inch. On the decoder chart it also says "NL." Any idea what that or the other numbers and letter on the tag mean?

Does the NL mean "not LSD?"