Yadda Yadda Yadda. You're fighting a losing battle here, mi amigo.


All very well and good Dennis except for one thing. The tag you are describing is the last style of 9 inch tag used of at least 5 different types. The originals from 1957 thru the 1970's are as I described it above, and the parts catalogs prove it (Text = Axle ID Section 40, first few pages-illustrations of the tags are shown). The first version had just the code (WDM-H), the second & third versions of the tag had the Ford axle code (WDM-H) on the top line. Ratio and date built on the bottom line. The fourth version is similar, but has the LS info on it. The size and shape of these tags were also different. There was no mention of LS on any of the first three tags. Old adage: Proof is in the pudding. I'll scan the early parts catalogs refs and email them to you.



There was just the L tag used when LS was present, not only on 9 inchers, but Dana 44's, 8 inch rear axles and the Dana 60's and 70's. I learned about the L tag in 1965, the day I bought my first new Ford truck (of 7). Before taking delivery, up on the lube rack it went, and I looked underneath at everything. There was the L tag, viewed for the first time. The Ford 9 inch tag read: WFE-E = 3.70. I might add that most LS rear axles used from 1957 thru 1967 weren't 9 inchers at all, but were LS Dana 44's.



I've looked at far more rear axle tags then most of the members of this forum, seeing how I was a back (shop) counterman for almost 30 of the 35 yrs I was on the job. There are some thing that are never forgotten, what the tags resembled is one of them. I can still to this day, without looking in the parts catalog, reel off all the part numbers for a 9 inch overhaul, with or without LS, and I've been retired since 1997. Besides being a partsman, I've been a car collector since 1956, and have owned nearly 100 FoMoCo cars & trucks.

 

I've actually seen thousands as well Bill.

from say 1965 to 2004

One time about 150 in ONE DAY at the wreckers..Cars and Trucks from all years.

Count Hundreds of trips to the wreckers

I have only seen The L in the position after the first Number of the ratio...no where else...which was the topic at hand.



This is not a competition about how many rear axle tags one has seen but a declaration of what ONE person has seen in his life.. plus we are only talking 73-79's.

That scanned illustration is from a 78 shop manual.

 

Quite so, that tag was used from 1974/79. 1973 was different. Text: Section 40; Page 1, 73/79 truck catalog.

 

Wow, didn't mean to cause a fight..

I've not checked this thread in a couple of days, busy with life, you know.. anyways, tomorrow if I don't forget I'll make sure that the VIN matches the truck registration. I'm almost sure I've checked it but not sure enough.

It's quite possible the doors have been replaced.. I saw no tags on my axels and I have looked, though I've seen in other threads that people found the tags beneath years of grease/dirt/whatever and mine have plenty, maybe I'll find something after a good cleaning.

 

The VIN switched places a few times too... My 79 2wd has a VIN on the cab, and a different VIN on the door. I've also got a VIN tag (warranty plate) on the cowl under the hood, and on the crossmember behind the transmission.


Don't worry too much about those guys... they get that way with every thread.

 

Actually no such thing as a VIN Tag


Rating Plate on Door (sometimes referred to as a warranty plate)
Warranty Sticker in Door Jamb area (that can't be removed without cutting metal)
Buck Tags (located at various positions of the truck,(Firewall, Where box meets frame(

 

Bottom line, to answer his question, he will need to look for the tag on the differential, or pull the cover. Ford never offered that gear in a 4X4.

 

I guess you gotta be right, Dennis. Thanks for that useful bit of information...

 

It has nothing to do with being right.

It has everything to do with Ford's terminology for things.


My concern is: Not being wrong

 

I'll make sure to keep you guys updated. Going to be the first thing I look at next time I get a chance to work on the truck..

I'm just happy I don't have such high gearing

 

I found no plates with codes on the axles.

The best I can do is a few itmes that were stamped into the cover, One said "70" in large numbers, there was an upsidedown "883" or "388" (I forget) and a 3 digit number that ended in 75, it looked like it said 575 but could have been 275 or 375.

the VIN on the door was F15HUS~ which is in fact different than my title vin. (F14SUBG0224)

you all can't tell me anything about my diffs from what I've said, can you?

 

The only axle that ended in 75 is the 2.75

Axle Ratios
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50
3.54
3.73
4.09
4.10
4.11


For further info. click this and scroll to the bottom of the page.

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion...ruckCodes.html

 

Eh? I got you on that.. was wondering if that number was even the ratio. It has a circle around it.. it might be something else and not the ratio itself.

and that big 70, does that mean I have a Dana70?

These are stamps in the actual cover, not a tag.

 

Thanks for this information guys, it's helping with my '78

Gotta' love FTE pros

 

Yeah, I appreciate the help.. I'd be lost if I didn't have this site.