I just found a place that tells what all the codes on the door jam sticker are.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...r_Decoder.html
So I went out to my truck, and wrote down the codes to see what I had. Now I have absolutely no clue if this is good or bad, so would somebody explain these to me?
Axle code - H9 = 3.55 Limited Slip (ok, what does that mean?)
Transmission code - U = Automatic (duh, easy enuff), 4R70W (huh?)
I've heard of Limited Slip, but have no clue what it means, and I've also heard of the different ratios (3.55) but don't know what that means either. So, is my truck set up better for towing or speed? I'm thinking towing, since it came with the transmission heat exchanger/cooler thingamabob (the small radiator in front of the radiator).

 

You have a model/type 4R70W transmission.

Here is a link that explains Differentials... (and limited slip)

http://splparts.com/doc/tech/LSD.htm

And here is a link that shows axle ratios and towing capacity. The higher the axle ratio, the more it can tow.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949.../95ttg/16.php3

 

Cool, those links explained it all. Now I know why I don't get stuck in the mud. A LSD helps out a lot in that area. I may not have a 4x4, but looks like I don't really need it (there aint no mountains around here, but lots of mud). That one link with the towing capacities didn't show the 5.4L V8, so I figured right between the 5.0, and the 5.8, and came up with 7,050lbs towing weight. That's more than enough for me, all I haul around is an enclosed 5x8 cargo trailer with all my DJ gear. It can't possibly weigh over 6k lbs.

Thanks again!

 

Sorry about the axle ratio link, it was for diesels but it shows how axle ratios work. Im sure theres another chart out there somewhere. LSD is better than an open axle but remember its a pickup. You might have to put some weight over the rear axle in certain driving conditions. It sounds like you have all the power you need for your trailer.

 

Just to elaborate a bit, the gear ratio tells you how many times the driveshaft turns in relation to the driven rear wheel. For example, in your case, the driveshaft turns 3.55 times for every one complete turn of the rear wheel.

Also, FYI, gears with a higher ratio numerically are actually lower gears. For example, 4.10's are low(er) gears, whereas 3.08's are high(er) gears. Lower gears are better for towing.

This is just good to know so that someday, if you decide you want better towing gears in a vehicle, you don't go to some shop and say "I want higher gears", because you won't like what you get.