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Old Mar 4, 2004 | 05:24 PM
  #1  
mearnh's Avatar
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I'm lost.....

I'm trying to figure out what transmission and rear end I have.
I've been looking at decoding tables till I'm blue in the face.
I tried to locate a PN tag on the pumpkin and its coverd with dirt and grease, so I couldn't locate one, although, I'm not sure I was looking in the right place anyway.

I'm getting this information from the tag on the inside of the drivers door.

W.B. = 133
Color = B
Type/GVW = F10N
Body = QR4
Trans = G
Axle = 02j
Max GVWR lbs = 05200
DSO = 1978 23

Its a 1978 F100 ranger with a 351M

I guess I need to know if its a 9" or 8" or 8.8" (I know its not a 9", its too small for that).
can somebody help a brother out?

Thanks,
mike
 
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Old Mar 4, 2004 | 05:34 PM
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If it has a removeable 3rd member, like a 9" but smaller, it's an 8". If it has a sheetmetal diff cover on the back of it, it's a Dana or an 8.8. It would only be an 8.8 if someone swapped one in, since they didn't start using the 8.8 in trucks untill the early '80's I believe.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2004 | 05:39 PM
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Forgot the trans.... A 3 speed auto behind a 351M in a '78 is most likely a C6.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2004 | 06:54 PM
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sweet

SoCal -
Thanks.

I was really driving myself crazy with that.

Its not a 8" or 9" as the third member is not removable, and its original so it must be a Dana.

I've heard of Dana 40 & Dana 60, is there any way to be more specific?

Is it possible to add trac-loc to what I have, or will I have to get a new pumpkin? (I think thats what they are called)

My plans are to add rear disk breaks and a limited slip differential, so I'm looking into possibily finding an complete early explorer (1st gen) rearend and swap them out. Is this possible????

Anything else I should be thinking about?
Will my axles out of the 78' rear end fit in the explorer rear end?
If I use the explorer axles in the rear, what will I have to use for the front to get the same bolt pattern?

I'm learning, slowly but surly.

Thanks,
mike
 
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Old Mar 5, 2004 | 09:25 PM
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i bet the tranny is a c6 as well but i bet that it is a 9 inch rearend. i am baffeled by 1978 f100 ranger. I have a f150 ranger. I thought the f100 were customs they are about the same inside but the ranger has trim on the outside where a custom doesn't.
 

Last edited by fordeverpower; Mar 5, 2004 at 09:27 PM.
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Old Mar 5, 2004 | 11:19 PM
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Is it 5 lug? It sounds like it might be a Dana 44, if it's original. Look for a "44" cast into the webbing surrounding the diff cover.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2004 | 10:52 PM
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I'll tell you what I know about the truck, it an't much.

I accuired it from my father in law, I'm the third owner.
The badging says f100 ranger.
everything is original, its never been touched.
Its a 78' 1/2 moddel, I've learned that they switched from the round head lights to the square headlights half way through the year, this one has the square headlights. And it does have trim on the outside. Its a long bed.

It has the original motor 351M and apparently has a C6 trans with a Dana 44 rear diff. I was hoping that it was a 9", easy to fix and find parts for, but the third member is not removeable, it has a diff-cover on the back. Too crusted over to find a "44" on there. I'll try to get it cleaned up this week and look it over real good. I never paid attention, but I do believe that it does have five lugs axles.

Any thoughts about swaping for an early gen explorer rear end????

Thanks for all your help guys,
mike
 
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Old Mar 7, 2004 | 02:56 AM
  #8  
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It is possible that you have a Dan 44 rear axle. As far as the round to square headlight theory, that is close but not exactly true. In 78, the cheapo and custom models had round headlights. The Rangers and explorers and trucks with fancy packages had square headlights. In 79, they all went to square.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2004 | 01:20 PM
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Well, It really IS a C6.

Trans code G means 3-spd automatic which converts into a C6.
because the C4's were back ages ago from 78.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2004 | 10:04 AM
  #10  
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Thanks guys.

I appriciate the help.

I just keep learning new stuff about this truck everyday seems like.

mike
 
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Old Mar 8, 2004 | 10:52 AM
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Originally posted by mearnh
Too crusted over to find a "44" on there. I'll try to get it cleaned up this week and look it over real good. I never paid attention, but I do believe that it does have five lugs axles.
The 02J might suggest that the D44 has a Trac-Lok carrier. Ford did install the D44's under the F100/150's in '77 thru '79 trucks. If you can make out the diff tag see if it reads: 3L00, 3L07 or similar.
Originally posted by mearnh
Any thoughts about swaping for an early gen explorer rear end?
A 9" should be a direct bolt-up. The Ujoints might be different, but that would be minor.
 
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