Axle size confusion
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2025
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Axle size confusion
Hello! Brand new here. I have a 2004 e150. Had my axle and axle bearings replaced and dealership told me it was a 9" axle. They had to order an aftermarket because they couldn't source one. My sticker on the inside of the door says H9. The differential cover has 12 bolts. Not in a circle but in a polygon shape.
2 questions. Is my axle really a 9". How can I tell?
If it is a 9", does it allow me to carry slightly heavier loads than normal. My GAWR on the Rear Axle is 3800lbs. GVWR us 7000.
I want to know this because I would like to build out a camper van and if I don't have to go to a 250 or 350 that would be great.
2 questions. Is my axle really a 9". How can I tell?
If it is a 9", does it allow me to carry slightly heavier loads than normal. My GAWR on the Rear Axle is 3800lbs. GVWR us 7000.
I want to know this because I would like to build out a camper van and if I don't have to go to a 250 or 350 that would be great.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,499
Likes: 2,811
Are you sure they didn't say "9.75"?
There would not be a 9 inch in an '04.
With that shape rear cover, it sounds like a 9.75.
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2016/...on-rear-axles/
Not sure what's going on with your dealer regarding parts etc.....
Your GAWR of 3800 lbs seems accurate.
With your GAWR and GVWR, do some calculations about your camper van modifications.
IMO you do not want to run this or any vehicle at 100% of the rating all the time. Better to step up to a 250 or 350 if needed.
There would not be a 9 inch in an '04.
With that shape rear cover, it sounds like a 9.75.
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2016/...on-rear-axles/
Not sure what's going on with your dealer regarding parts etc.....
Your GAWR of 3800 lbs seems accurate.
With your GAWR and GVWR, do some calculations about your camper van modifications.
IMO you do not want to run this or any vehicle at 100% of the rating all the time. Better to step up to a 250 or 350 if needed.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The 9" hasn't been installed in a Ford truck since some time in the late '70's to early 80's.
The options for a van of this vintage are the Ford 8.8 or the Dana 60(9.75 ring gear) but I think 04 is still a bit early for the D60 in an E150... Ford eliminated the light duty 1/2 ton van sometime in the mid 2000's and any van badged a 150 after that was really an E250 wth lighter springs. The keys to determining what you have are the vehicles GVWR and Axle weight ratings and the number of lugs on the wheels, the D60 will have 8-bolt wheels while the 8.8 was 5 bolt. The 8.8 will have a 3800lb weight rating while the D60 is upwards of 6k.
The options for a van of this vintage are the Ford 8.8 or the Dana 60(9.75 ring gear) but I think 04 is still a bit early for the D60 in an E150... Ford eliminated the light duty 1/2 ton van sometime in the mid 2000's and any van badged a 150 after that was really an E250 wth lighter springs. The keys to determining what you have are the vehicles GVWR and Axle weight ratings and the number of lugs on the wheels, the D60 will have 8-bolt wheels while the 8.8 was 5 bolt. The 8.8 will have a 3800lb weight rating while the D60 is upwards of 6k.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 12
Should be a 9.75" axle in your year E-150, basically an upgraded 8.8".
Ford 9.75
The good news is you have a 3.55 with factory Trac-lok limited slip differential.
As mentioned above, your rear axle capacity isn't any greater than sticker but not terrible for you goals either. You could upgrade your springs a bit to better manage your build weight but no, the overall capacity would still be limited to the weakest link in the system, in our case the outer axle bearings would come to mind first.
ATS Springs ask for Junior. I think he is also a member here.
Ford 9.75
The good news is you have a 3.55 with factory Trac-lok limited slip differential.
As mentioned above, your rear axle capacity isn't any greater than sticker but not terrible for you goals either. You could upgrade your springs a bit to better manage your build weight but no, the overall capacity would still be limited to the weakest link in the system, in our case the outer axle bearings would come to mind first.
ATS Springs ask for Junior. I think he is also a member here.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 632
Likes: 40
My 2006 E150 has disc brake 8.8. I don't think the larger axles and 8 lugs moved to E150's until 08 or so. Pretty sure disc brake 8.8 started in 04 (vs drum) and I know it continued thru at least 06. I was trying to find a 4.10 ratio 8.8 from same era E150 and discovered (thru service manual, owners manual and parts suppliers) that the ONLY 8.8 offered in E150's for those years was 3.55. I knew 4.10 gearset was avail as I have an 8.8 from a 93 Lightning with it and LS.
Ended up changing gears in existing axle to 4.10 but that's another story.
Ended up changing gears in existing axle to 4.10 but that's another story.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
There should be a metal tag on your cover plate (under one of the bolts) Maybe 2 tags, the other designating limited slip and special fluid needed. That tag specifies exactly what rear axle it is, and Ford parts uses that tag number to get you the exactly right internal parts.
Have fun with it whichever axle it has, even an 8.8 is okay
Have fun with it whichever axle it has, even an 8.8 is okay
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