how to tell year model and options

[kooter]

I purchased a 2003 (or so i think) sport trac from a local auto nation delearship (champion) in corpuc christi texas. After having this truck for about two years and putting 22,000 miles on it(55k total) minor off roading and exploring my ranch and any other places of senic intrest. I would like to start makeing modifications to it. but! i have taken it to two diffrent ford places and hear that where i purchased it swears its a 2003, while another, crosses there heart and hopes to die, tells me that it is a 2002 year model, is there any way to tell? (both Ford dealers)

i fear that not knowing the right year and details about my truck will lead to issues in trying to mod my truck.

also, how do you tell what kind of rear axel ratio, and horsepower, and all that good stuff you need to know about your truck is?

on a side note on my off roading adventours i noticed that one wheel dosnt spin much when i need it to, leading to being stuck in the sand, mudd (tx mud sucks) and not makeing it up steep inclines. My truck is 2wd and seems very light in the rear whitch also leads to spinning out. thinking detroit lockers might be a start (any suggestions of a locking system) read johns rocky-road.com but not sure about all the rear end stuff


Thanks to anyone who reads this and can offer any serious advice,

 

[ezeedee]

Dead Link Removed

 

[chad551]

There is 2 options:
1. Decode the VIN
2. Look at the sticker on the drivers door

Chad

 

[JohnnyO]

i have taken it to two diffrent ford places and hear that where i purchased it swears its a 2003, while another, crosses there heart and hopes to die, tells me that it is a 2002 year model, is there any way to tell? (both Ford dealers)

I'd look at the title or registration card.
There is little if any difference between a 2002 and 2003.
If most of your driving is on-road (should be, with a 2wd), I would recommend either a Detroit True Trac or Powertrax No-Slip instead of a Detroit Locker. Or if you want to spend more money, get an E-Locker which functions as a limited-slip, but when you hit the switch it turns into a locker.

 

[kooter]

Thanks

Thanks everyone who replyed i stayed up about 5 hours yesterday night reading as many posts as i could. i discovered my truck is a 2002 year model, now i am trying to decode the rear axel.

a little bit about my driving style;
i go on weekend adventours and camping destinations, some places with and with out roads. 2wd gets me mostly where ever i need and carries most of my gear.

My family owns a 500+ acer ranch where i usually end up travleing through some weird areas, from rocky to muddy, grassy to sandy. i used to have a 2wd ranger, and was very satisitifed with that, but the ST does everthing the ranger does but better and with more comfort.

thanks for the locker info i need to look into those and read some more on them i cant beleve i didnt find this fourm sooner!

Also i was wondering about these events everyone goes to, moab and others, i found some places in texas called "Katemcy Rocks" i dont have a 4wd, but i was wondering if these places had a 2wd trail or trails i love getting out and adventouring in new areas.

 

[chad551]

2 metal ID tabs on the rear diff means it is a L/S

1 ID tab is an open diff.

Plus the door sticker and VIN will give you info as well.

Chad

 

[04trac]

isnt there also a trick where you do some math with your truck with a certain speed in 4th gear (o/d off i assume) you take the speed and divide by something and that gives you the rear gear ratio....i used to know the equation, but ive forgotten it now

 

[techieman33]

all you have to do is look at the axle code, it's on your drivers side door sticker. your looking for a 2 digit code, then just compare it to this chart.

Explorer 43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73