Gears, via VIN

[Austin]

So I'm decoding my VIN tag... and the code 73 brings up what gear ratio?

I look around and get all different numbers.

 

[LEB Ben]

Hmmm...this is what I keep coming up with for a code 73:

73 5.13 11000 DANA REG 1991

 

[Austin]

That's what I got from a couple of places, then got something totally different at others.

 

[LEB Ben]

^^^Yeah, I just googled 1990 Ford rear axle code 73 and 1990 Dana rear axle code 73...and the handful of charts that I found that even had a code 73, what I posted is what they said.


So then does that mean the rear axle has been replaced? Or your truck is actually a 91?

 

[Austin]

Vin verified is a 90, and the model is all there properly. I'll do some more research on the gear number.

 

[Austin]

Double checked with another F-Superduty aficionado, and he says it would be a 5.13... looks like the website has their years mixed up, though.

 

[LEB Ben]

Well damn...5.13's and what, a 31" tire? That thing has gotta be screaming, gotta be around 2500rpm at city speeds (45mph). If that's the case, that's nuckin futs.

 

[Austin]

Yeah, she's a screamer.

 

[Austin]

But seriously, you should see it on the highway... going 70 and crazy high rpm.

 

[SuperCab]

Eh, it'd only be about 3000 Rpm at 70... It's a ZF5, right?

 

[BKW]

Ben's info is correct except for the year application. 1990/2001 Ford Truck Parts Catalog sez:

73: Dana Rear Axle / 5.13-1 / non Limited Slip / 11,000 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.

Applications = 1990/97: F(Super Duty), E(Super Duty w/Ambulance Package) & F53 (Stripped Chassis).
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btw: The VIN "tag" is located on the left (drivers) side corner of the dash, visible thru the windshield. All it has stamped on it is the 17 digit VIN

The AXLE code is listed: On the Certification Label, 1981 thru today // On the Warranty Plate 1957/80 //On the Rating Plate 1948/56 (the actual ratio is listed).

First use of a VIN on Ford Trucks: 1948 (Passenger Cars: 1949). The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) registers the entire vehicle.

1947 and earlier Trucks (1948 and earlier Passenger Cars) were registered by their specific engine number. The major problem was: If the engine was changed (very common), the numbers no longer matched.

Les Kelley, a long time Ford Dealer and the largest used car dealer in the world (Kelley Kar Co. located on an entire city block on downtown LA's auto row [Staples Center, LA Live & the LA Convention Center is there now]), and originator of Kelley Blue Books, was the person that came up with the VIN system.