diver64

I'm learning a ton on this site about my truck and getting great information on repairs. Here is another question about the rear end

I'm getting ready to do the seal/bearing and I read about the axle ratio here. In the 04 FX4 I read that the rear axle is a 3.73 factory stock. The code on my door is H9 which I looked up and it says it's a 3.55.

Did I buy a used truck that is not an FX4 but one that someone stuck the stickers on when they bought it, they traded it and I bought it as such when it is not? How do I tell, take the VIN to a Ford dealer and ask them what I have? I checked a Ford site and it says it has a 3.73 according to the VIN. Now I'm confused. The VIN says 3.73, the axle code says 3.55 on the same sticker. The VIN also says it has black clearcoat paint (its silver) and it's an STX not an FX4. The dash VIN matches the door sticker and if someone painted this truck they did one heck of a job as I can see no black or silver overspray anywhere like inside the wheelwells, firewall, etc. I started to pull the paint out of the bed to put spray in bedliner and there is no black to be seen just silver and primer. The front badges on the fender say "F150 XLT 5.4 Triton"

Was it a special order, maybe, or did I buy something that it was not? Other than the timing job the truck was immaculate and appeared well cared for. The only maintenance item that popped up was that it was taken into the dealer and the mechanic broke a sparkplug off, like that has never been done on these trucks before, necessitating pulling the engine or removing the head. I'm thinking thats worst case scenario as they most likely vacuumed it out.

Please do not tell me I got had....Actually, tell me. Maybe I'm not reading the VIN right.

I looked at one site that maybe is not correct in decoding the vehicle then
I also checked here http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...er/VIN2004.pdf and the numbers match up all the way to the specific vehicle 12-17 AXXXXX. The paint code "YN" says silver, VIN says black.

It's the axle code that gets me. How do I tell exactly what this truck is and what is with the axle code?

bbrad1775

For an open diff, jack up one tire, spin wheel 2X and count pinion/driveshaft rotations. If it doesnt spin then it has LS

For LS, jack up both tires, spin wheels 1X (both wheels will spin together) and count pinion/driveshaft rotations.

As for the VIN, are you using the vin printed on the sticker or off the windshield?

diver64

Mark the drive shaft and count the rotations when I rotate the tire once. That I can do.

I cross checked the door VIN with the dash/windshield. They are both the the same.

bbrad1775

Strange. STX models had a specific trim package I think as well as FX4 models. Also STX can be 4WD. So to answer your question, I still have no idea what model it actually is.

gmb13

I think there were 3 possible ratios offered so that is one possibility. The prior owner could have changed gears also. The easiest way to know for sure (at this point does it really matter) is to pull the diff. cover and check the ratio stamped on the gears.

Greg

Turdferguson391

Can pictures be put up if the truck? That might help some

bbrad1775

You don't have to pull the cover to check the ratio. Just follow the steps I posted above.

diver64

The door sticker looks like the standard factory sticker and does not appear to have been replaced. The VIN on the sticker matches the windshield/dash one. I'm just wondering if I overpaid for it. The truck looks like the other FX4 I've seen and the dealer I took it too once didn't bat an eyelash at it.

I was not aware that they came with 3 axle options. I just want to know what I have. Is there a picture here of the instrument cluster to match against mine as I think the FX4 had a different one than the STX?

Turdferguson391

It's the back diff 12 bolt?

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Post a picture of your door sticker. You know, the one with the VIN that has the barcode under it.