AXLE SMALL DATA PLATE

pilotomutante · Post by **pilotomutante** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:08 am

Hi, just a quick trivia:

Do you know for what axle is this small data plate intended for, front or rear?
It was on my M38 but after the restoration I do not remember were it came from.

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Any clue on what the W stands for?
Thanks!!!

Jose

ocwd · Post by **ocwd** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:10 am

I have a Dana 44 with that same tag. The tag is bolted to the differential cover. I am guessing that the numbers pertain to the gear ratio. Not really sure.

Dave

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:17 am

Mine had a tag like that on the front axle diff cover.

According to TM 9-1804-B (M38 power train, body & frame manual), the axle ratio for both front and rear is 5.38 to 1. 43 to 8 works out as 5.38 to 1, so I'm guessing that tag would have been on both front & rear axle diff covers.

Not sure about W, but my original M38 water pump has W cast into it (W for Willys, maybe?).

Owen.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 4:18 pm

Yes, that is the gear ratio. 43 (ring) /8 (pinion) =5.375
You'll probably also find a tag on the knuckle seals telling what your joints are. Either Bendix, Spicer or Rzeppa.

raul-m38 · Post by **raul-m38** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:23 am

My M38 has that plate on the two axes

pilotomutante · Post by **pilotomutante** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:21 pm

Thanks to all, the tag came from my M38, but just do not remember from which axle it came from. I recently found it laying around on the garage with several layers of paint/grease/paint/etc on top. Now it will be back where it belongs. Back or front? I will toss a coin to decide.

Jose