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How to Find Out the Axle Ratio on a Ford Pickup

A vehicle’s axle ratio is determined by the number of revolutions of the driven wheels in relation to engine and transmission revolutions. Some vehicles, such as Ford pickups, are available from the factory with different axle ratios, depending on the owner’s needs. A numerically lower ratio might be desirable to an owner who prioritizes fuel economy over hauling or towing capacity, whereas a numerically higher ratio might provide extra power at low speeds, but at the cost of lower fuel mileage.

Step 1

Open the front door on the driver’s side.

Step 2

Locate the Truck Safety Compliance Certification Label on the door pillar near the door latch.

Step 3

Locate the two-digit code in the box labeled “AXLE,” which is just below the bar code.

Step 4

Match the code on the label to the corresponding rear axle ratio. The code “15” means your truck is equipped with a 3.15 axle ratio; “27” refers to a 3.31 ratio; “19” to a 3.55 ratio; and “26” to a 3.73 rear axle ratio.

Know that if your truck is equipped with a limited slip or locking differential, the rear axle codes displayed on the label will be “H9” for a 3.55 ratio, “B6” for a 3.73 ratio, and “L6” for a 3.73E rear axle ratio. (Note: The 3.73E designation refers to an electrically locking differential, while the other two designations refer to a standard locking differential.)

15: 3.15 ratio, open differential
27: 3.31 ratio, open differential
19: 3.55 ratio, open differential
26: 3.73 ratio, open differential
H9: 3.55 ratio, limited-slip differential
B6: 3.73 ratio, limited-slip differential
L5: 3.15 ratio, electronic locking differential
L3: 3.31 ratio, electronic locking differential
L9: 3.55 ratio, electronic locking differential
L6: 3.73 ratio, electronic locking differential
L4: 4.10 ratio, electronic locking differential

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30 Comments

  1. Jose December 15, 2020

    Hello there… I’m concerned about my truck on the label it says J3 and it does not appear in the lookup table

  2. Travis Blocker January 23, 2021

    Hey 03 f150 king ranch 2wd rear differential id plate decoder, not sure on how to read it.. top #’s saids 3 V 941 B
    T
    Bottom #”s ? 355 9 75 3D03

  3. ray January 28, 2021

    have a ford 150 fx 4 2010 5.4 i know it is a 373 but is it a 9.75 or a 8.8?

  4. Carlos E Betancurth February 20, 2021

    hello, and thank you for the advice……
    i just bought a 2020 ford 150 lariat 2.7 xlt with a accident on the rear axle. i need to replace the axle. . said that its L9 rear axle on the truck description.
    My 2 questions : i learn that i need a 3.55 ratio rear with electronic locking differential, but i get confused with the numbers 9,75 or 8.8 …….. i dont know the meaning on this numbers? makes any important diference ?
    can i buy a used rear 2017 , 2018 2019 with the same caractheristics ?

    thank you.

  5. Frank February 26, 2021

    what is an axle code 37?

  6. Chris kamphaus April 12, 2021

    I have a 2015 f150 off road 4×4 and I need to know what rear axle ratio I have. I looked under vin barcode axle box says L3. And I took pictures of the barcode on the axle but that tells me nothing. Can someone tell me before this makes me crazy??

  7. Ross balliew April 23, 2021

    What is code 35 on axle

  8. James D Gorski April 28, 2021

    Chris L3 is 3.31 ratio locking diff.

  9. Alan Kuuttila May 3, 2021

    What is axle code “3E” on my 2014 f259 Super Duty XLT?

  10. Quinney Lane July 7, 2021

    I have a h9 which is a 3.55 ratio on a 1984 ford 150 so what the ratio on the front.

  11. Chuck July 10, 2021

    What does D1 mean?

  12. l j burnett July 30, 2021

    99 f250 sd 4×4
    axle code c1
    can’t find that on your chart
    can you help?

  13. Elliott Hoover August 4, 2021

    75 F-100 4×4
    Axle code 05
    Can you help?

  14. Jessie E Sales October 29, 2021

    What if door sticker is gone

  15. Shanon L Hurt November 7, 2021

    Axle code is 19 so I assume that it’s a 3.55 ratio but is ring gear 9.7 or 10.2

  16. David Dixon December 13, 2021

    2008 f-150 supercrew with 26 on sticker

  17. Chuck P. December 15, 2021

    What is the axle code 19B on a 1986 F150 Supercab?
    Thanks….

  18. Mark H. Lewis February 12, 2022

    Is there a stamp or marking anywhere on the axle ( other than on the ring &/or pinion)

    I know best method is to count teeth and do math.

    But is this information anywhere on the axle housing?

  19. Johnny Matthews May 10, 2022

    Would 3L be the same as L3?

  20. Kyle lewis May 27, 2022

    My code says 35 what is the gear ratio for that code? It’s in my 96 f350

  21. Mike Varnadore September 18, 2022

    2006 ford 150 axle tag number v 907 B 55 975 5H30 found it in junk yard what is gear ratio and is it limited slip posi. Traction or open.

  22. juan cocoloco January 10, 2023

    what does 13A axle code mean?
    Thank you, sir.

  23. Zack January 14, 2023

    Mine says C3 sooooo help please.

  24. Ralph Yarbrough April 19, 2023

    My 75 Ford F150 has a axle number 14, what does that mean?

  25. Jim June 14, 2023

    1994 Ford F-350 diesel vin F
    Code 35. Ratio ?
    Thanks

  26. william k joines August 20, 2023

    f150 2008 Axel code is RC 47. The axle housing is bent and I have to buy a replacement. What does this code tell me and will any housing accommodate the gears and axle from my current setup or should I plan on using the axles and gears from the unit I buy.

  27. Buddy Smith September 6, 2023

    Mine has axel code 31….. please help me out hwre

  28. Ashley Smart October 23, 2023

    Code for axle say 86 on a 93 Ford xlt what would ratio be for axle?

  29. Thomas Dewolfe November 10, 2023

    What dose number 18 stand for

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