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Bronco, Rear in 76-86
Source: by Bob K at
http://ford.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/bronco-rear-axle-codes-and-ratios-20437.html
"...Ford built our Broncos & other 4x4 trucks & vans with a numerically lower front gear ratio in the front Dana 44 than the rear so that off-road steering is enhanced.
A Bronco built with 3.55 rear ratio would have a 3.54 ration in the front Dana 44; or; 3.08 in the 8.8 & 3.07 in the Dana 44; or 4.11 in the 8.8 & 4.10 in the Dana 44, etc...";
Following was in my MS WORD Notes and the source, Randy's Ring & Pinion has removed it from their current web site; The gear ratio in the front of a four wheel drive has to be different from the front so the front wheels will pull more. There have been many different ratio combinations used in four-wheel drive vehicles, but not so that the front will pull more. Gear manufactures use different ratios for many different reasons. Some of those reasons are: strength, gear life, noise (or lack of it), geometric constraints, or simply because of the tooling they have available. I have seen Ford use a 3.50 ratio in the rear with a 3.54 in the front, or a 4.11 in the rear with a 4.09 in the front. As long as the front and rear ratios are within 1%, the vehicle works just fine on the road, and can even be as different as 2% for off-road use with no side effects. point difference in ratio is equal to 1%. To find the percentage difference in ratios it is necessary to divide, not subtract. In order to find the difference, divide one ratio by the other and look at the numbers to the right of the decimal point to see how far they vary from 1.00. For example: 3.54 ÷ 3.50 = 1.01, or 1%, not 4% different. And likewise 4.11 ÷ 4.09 = 1.005, or only a 1/2% difference. These differences are about the same as a 1/3" variation in front to rear tire height, which probably happens more often than we realize. A difference in the ratio will damage the transfer case. Any extreme difference in front and rear ratios or front and rear tire height will put undue force on the drive train. However, any difference will put strain on all parts of the drivetrain. The forces generated from the difference have to travel through the axle assemblies and the driveshafts to get to the transfer case. These excessive forces can just as easily break a front u-joint or rear spider gear as well as parts in the transfer case.
Source: by miesk5 at Ford Bronco Zone Forums
http://broncozone.com/topic/21803-new-member/page__gopid__113959#entry113959
READ MORE about the Tags and such as;
Photo 1 - The 9” rear ends have a removable “hog-head” center carrier and is about 10” from the bottom to the top stud. The 9” was introduced in 1957 and ran to mid 80's
Door Jamb Label (Data Plate, also referred to as the Patent Plate & the Warranty Plate)
http://broncohq.com/pdf/80-96/body/idchart.pdf
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Front DANA 44 Diff
Axle Tag Location Diagram w/Manufacturing Date & Complete Part Number
by Dana via Jeff's Bronco Graveyard
http://broncograveyard.com/images/addon/ttbbomid.jpg
Cover Depiction, Information, Application, ID, etc.
http://www.truckporn.com/tech/axle-guide/images/identification/dana444153.jpg
Parts Break-Out Diagram, 78-79
Source: by broncocity.com
http://www.broncocity.com/78_79_techpages/78_79_dana44.htm