How do I find out what type of gear ratio a truck has. I tried to put in the VIN # but it doesnt' give me the gear ratio. Its a 96 F150 XL 4X4 with a 5.8L motor. Extra cab, short bed. Anyone know if what it comes standard with?

 

There is no standard, look at the axle code on the door jamb sticker.

 

^ +1

You could also look at the axle tag ( held in place by a bolt on the cover )

Ex. 3L55 = 3.55's with a T-Lok and 3 55 = 3.55's with an open diff.

 

Look at the axle code then go under articles and specs vin decoder then to gear ratio decoder but I can tell you now 19 is 3.55 non limited slip H9 is 3.55 limited slip

 

If you have the owners manual, it will tell you what the letter in the door jam stands for.

 

Thanks for all the information. I'm looking to buy a used one so wanted to know some information. Anyone unhappy with this truck and motor. I currently have a 97 F250 HD with the 460 motor and I'm very disappointed with that motor. No yank for that size. Looking to sell my F250 and buy the F150 instead. Any mod's to really get the yank on the 351 motor?

 

If you're disappointed with a 460, you're going to be even more disappointed with the 351. Find out what your 460's rear end ratio is, a better one may make a huge difference.

 

The truck in my sig feels strong, and I a daily drive a geared 5.0 Mustang. The only thing thats not factory stock on the truck are the Warn manual hubs and 31" tires. Of course I usually ease around in it most of the time(it has nice low end torque,) but will move out if the need arises. The intake and exhaust are pretty restricitve, so you should focus on those if you are looking for more HP at the top of the tach. Keeping it maintained also plays a big part, cap & rotor, plugs & wires, air & fuel filters, etc.

 

Thanks for the information. Any other mods for the truck to boost up HP besides intake and exhaust? Something not to hard or really expensive.

Looking foward to this truck. I love the look of the older ford trucks.

 

Hawaii? Better check those smog laws etc. You can't be worse than CA, but you could be the same, in which case you're hop up parts have to be approved.

 

If it were my truck, I would put a new Motorcraft cap and rotor on it along with Motorcraft spark plugs. Also put on a set of Ford Racing 9MM plug wires. Change the air and fuel filters, then see what you think. Also make sure the oil/tranny fluid/T-case fluid/ and both axle fluid are clean. Use synthetic if you have the money. I would be leary of putting synthetic in an older motor and tranny though... There a nice "Hi-Po" tune up. You could also advance the timing if you want to run higher octane gas.

If you feel like spending more $$$, put a nice free flowing muffler on it. A CAI should work well, but I wont put one on mine because I go off-road.

After that, emission legal parts can be expensive for miminmal gains. Throttle bodies, high flow cats, short tube headers, etc.

You could get a programer for a '96, but I dont have any experience with those.