88_vic

Just wondering if there was a way to tell what rear axle/ratio I have by decoding the VIN...? If not, how would I find out? I know the turn the wheel and count method, and i also know the count the gear teeth method, but I dont feel like pulling it apart to find out. Anyone help me out? Thanks.

P.S.

I have the VIN handy if anyone has a decoder, or knows the codes.

Darren

__________________
1988 Crown Vic LTD LX
5.0 FI - K&N, Accel 8.8mm wires
3.08 open diff :(
2.5% tint
Alpine CDA-9811, 800 watt MA Audio 2 ch, 2 12" Clarion ProAudios
Appliance 15x8/14x7 chrome mags

88grandmarq

If you can still read your door tag, the axle ratio is stamped on there useing a alpha/numeric code under section "AX" on the door sticker.

there is also a metal tag bolted on the top right of the rear end cover.
Normally, these cars got a 2.73 or 3.08 rear end gear. some cars got a 3.27 or a 3.55 and some got a locking (limited slip) differential.

88grandmarq

axle code list;

G / H / 2.26
B / C / 2.47
8 / M / 2.73
7 / - / 3.07
Y / Z / 3.08
4 / D / 3.42
F / R / 3.45
5 / E / 3.27
6 / W / 3.73
2 / K / 3.55
A / - / 3.63
J / - / 3.85

bonneville92

how would you find out if you have a limited slip rear end?

88_vic

hold brake, slowly give er gas till you start burnin out, one tire fire=no LSD. hahaha, sorry felt like soundin like a smart ass, I'm not sure. I'd love to have LSD myself... I'm stuck wit one tire fire.

darren

__________________
1988 Crown Vic LTD LX
5.0 FI - K&N, Accel 8.8mm wires
3.08 open diff :(
2.5% tint
Alpine CDA-9811, 800 watt MA Audio 2 ch, 2 12" Clarion ProAudios
Appliance 15x8/14x7 chrome mags

ford79man91

If you really want to find out what rearend you have remove the differential cover...the ratio will be stamped somewhere on the ring gear. Also if you wanna find out if you have posi....just jack the rear end of the car up so that the wheels are off the ground spin one wheel towards the front of the car and watch the other wheel if its spinning the same way by golly you got a posi...if spinning the other way you got a wonder wheel...ive got a nice 3.55 posi unit for my car to put in yet along with the cage

88grandmarq

C'mon people! Read my post!

You dont need to do a burn out or pull the cover, just read the door sticker.
posted under the "AX" section. For example, if you have an 8 under the AX section then you have an open 2.73 gear. if you have an M then you have a 2.73 limited slip.

If you can not read the door sticker or the door has been replaced and the sticker doesnt match the car, there is a stamped metal tag on the rear diff cover. the gear ratio is stamped on the tag. this tag also will indicated if the diff is locking or not. an "L" will be stamped between the gear ratio. For example, if you see 3 L 08, you have a locking 3.08 gear ratio. if you see 2 73 then you have a open/nonlocking 2.73 gear ratio.
Normally the first digit of the gear ratio will be hiden under the bolt head holding the tag in place.

If you happen to remove the cover just for shytes and giggles, the gear ratio is stamped on the outside of the ring gear.
In order to indentify a locking diff, there will a "S" shaped spring between the spider gears and you will clutches on either side of the axle gears.

bonneville92

thanks for the info, very informative, i will go and look and see whats in there, just curious. thanks again.

bonneville92

ok, well i looked and there is a 5 under ax, so i guess that would indicate that i have a 3.27 unlocked rear end.

88grandmarq

You are correct ..... 3.27 Non-locking diff.