Hey!

Man am I happy!! Back in the seat of a FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately I lost my last FORD (F350 Crew Cab, 7.5 4X4 LB) about three years ago and have been on the road to recovery since! I am forced to drive a GMC daily and you can imagine how that makes me feel (yuck!) even my neighbors are embarassed for me.

At any rate this afternoon I slipped behind the wheel of a 1995 F250 Super Cab 7.5 4X2 LB w/Banks assisted shift, extra 43 gal. fuel tank, air ride assisted with on board compressor, transmission cooler and 5th wheel completely set up. Doug Thorley Headers and dual exhaust smooth out the rumbling of those big eight cylinders! This baby only has 64,300 miles on it and runs like a top! The full length aluminum running boards, aluminum bed rails with hide-away hooks and vented aluminum tailgate are the icing on the top. This baby purrs like a kitten and the folks who sold it to me were as nice as apple pie.

Well here is to my question. How can I read the VIN to determine the rear end ratio? I know hidden somewhere in the VIN is the gear ratio, I just don't know where to look. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help and guidance.

BACK IN A FORD AND GLAD OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!


Mulehide

 

Look on the sticker on/near the driver's door jamb for an axle code. Mine, for example, is C5, which indicates that I've got a 4.10:1 ratio and limited slip. Post your code, and I'll decipher it for you, in case you don't have an owner's manual.

 

Thanks Quadzilla!

In going through the box that came with the truck I found the Owners Manual along with the original sales receipt from the first owner and ALL of the maintenance records from the original owner and the second owner. Now I guess it is up to me to add to the maintenance records as the third owner, I feel like I owe it to the truck.

I'll check the axle codes and if I can't figure it out I will ask for your help again.

I have been posting and reading on this site for about three months since I started looking for a truck and have been very pleased with everyone and with all the great responses. Truly love the site.

Take care,

Mulehide

 

Thanks Quadzilla for the help.

It turns out the 95 F250 I just purchased also has a C5 axle which according to the manual is exactly as you described, a 4:10:1 limited slip. Is the limited slip similar to what is sometimes called a "locker"? I had my 87 Bronco converted to "locker" type and was very pleased. If you wouldn't mind a brief explanation on the "limited slip" I would sure appreciate it.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Take care,

Mulehide

 

What type of rear diff. is a code 12? This is on an '89 f150.

 

An open differential (without limited slip or a locker) will let one wheel spin freely if there is no traction on the other one. Limited slip will only let the wheel slip a certain amount before the other wheel kicks in.

Code 12 is a 2.73:1 ratio

 

and a locker, as the name implies, locks the two wheels together. So both tires spin at the same rate, reguardless of lack of traction on one side. Pretty nice to have offroad, however not so cool on the pavement. A limited slip is the best of both worlds, gives you the traction of a locker when wheel slip is detected, yet gives you the drivability of an open diff under normal driving cond.

 

The locking diffs do unlock to allow wheelspeed differentiation when turning, so they are not so bad to drive on the street as people believe. I have a locker in my F350 and love it offroad and don't mind it on the street.

Code 12 is a 2.73 ratio with an open differential in a Ford 8.8" axle, according to the ratio chart in the 'tech articles' section of this website.