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Sorry to sound like a broken record but I need to identify my front axle. I read through all the threads last night and today and even used the vin decoder to no avail. Ok, here goes:
Thanks for any assistance that you all can give me. I just bought this truck with a new engine installed and while driving down the road it sounded like the transfer case or front axles where trying to engage. So I took the front driveshaft off and it did it again(Low rumbleing like the front end is engaged in 4X4) but not the t-case it moves freely. Oh, and the truck goes in and out of 4wheel drive easily.
Man that was fast, thanks. Now I got one more for ya and lets see if I get it right. On the metal tag the only numbers that I can make out go like this:
3 50 E(?) 4TA A
61098-1
Does this mean my gearing is 3.50? What are the others numbers?
Thanks again Peteyg, I am pretty knowledgable on Jeeps, built alot of them, but this is my first Ford. Shoe
I would suspect 3.50 gearing with a 9" in a half ton. I was thinking an '85 would have the 8.8" rear axle though. If it has a rear bolt-on sheetmetal cover, it should be the 8.8. If it has a removeable third member and a welded rear cover, it should be a 9". I couldn't find any info on your door codes using the decoders in the tech articles section of this site. If the truck has auto hubs, I would check that they are not stuck engaged or otherwise not operating freely.
Thanks, I too think it is 3.50 gearing. The numbers that I posted are on the front dif. I am pretty sure the rear is a 9". The back is welded and the front is a bolted third member. The hubs are not auto. Before I removed the front driveshaft for troubleshooting I took it to the woods and did a little wheeling to check it out. It did fine and the hubs locked in and out with no problems. Maybe this will help, When driving down the road, approx 50 mph or coasting down, I felt a low grinding like gears were trying to engage. Removed the front shaft and it still did it. Initially thought it might be the T-case but have illiminated that. I will probably take the front end apart this weekend.
Sounds like bearings. When bearings die, they make a "marbles in a can" type of sound. Could be wheel bearings, or diff bearings. Get the front end in the air, and then turn everything by hand. If it's a wheel bearing, you'll be able to feel it as you spin the tire. One you eliminate that, then you move on to the carrier. I understand the Jeep thing...it's really not that different...just bigger.
The 8.8 wasn't put in until 87 when the ABS brakes started being used. So its a 9" with 3.50 gears. The other numbers are for manufacturing plant and build information.
You'll know its not the diff bearings if the problem happens when the axle hubs are disengaged.
The 8.8 wasn't put in until 87 when the ABS brakes started being used. So its a 9" with 3.50 gears.
Wrong the 8.8" got started in 84-85. If you look you rarely see a 85-86 with a 9" rearend. Most of the base models was only found with a 9". in 87 they completely did away with the 9" and only used 8.8's.
3.50 geared will be a 9". the 8.8's had 3.55 ratio and not 3.50
Wrong the 8.8" got started in 84-85. If you look you rarely see a 85-86 with a 9" rearend. Most of the base models was only found with a 9". in 87 they completely did away with the 9" and only used 8.8's.
3.50 geared will be a 9". the 8.8's had 3.55 ratio and not 3.50
This information is correct. Although the 8.8 may have shown up as early as 83.