Ford Expedition Gear Ratio Chart by Year: 1997-2026 Axle Code
The Ford Expedition gear ratio chart below identifies documented factory rear-axle ratios from early V8 SUVs through the 2026 Expedition. Depending on the model year and configuration, Ford has used ratios including 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73. Your exact ratio comes from the factory equipment, not the model year or engine alone.
Start with the year-specific reference chart, then match the AXLE code on your driver’s door certification label. A different gear set may be installed if the differential has been replaced or modified.
Ford Expedition • Factory axle reference
Gear Ratio by Model Year
Find ratios documented in Ford specifications, then verify the AXLE code on your own door label.
Documented Factory Ratio Matrix
A check means a documented factory configuration, not every vehicle of that year. On mobile, swipe the chart sideways to see all ratios.
| Model year | 3.15 | 3.31 | 3.55 | 3.73 | Configuration note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | · | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4.6L / 5.4L V8; drivetrain varies |
| 2001 | · | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | V8; verify engine and drive type |
| 2003–2004 | · | · | · | ✓ | Published configuration; not an exhaustive list |
| 2006 | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | Conventional and limited-slip variants |
| 2007–2008 | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | Standard and optional axle equipment |
| 2009–2010 | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | Axle codes 15, 16, H6 documented |
| 2011–2014 | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | Expedition / EL configurations vary |
| 2015–2016 | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✓ | EcoBoost, 4×2 / 4×4, tow packages |
| 2018–2021 | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✓ | Standard and MAX configurations vary |
| 2022–2024 | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | Code and tow-package differences |
| 2025–2026 | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | Ford technical specifications: 4×2 / 4×4 |
Do not infer a missing ratio is unavailable. References do not establish every build for 1998–2000, 2002, 2005 or 2017. Use your model-year-specific door label or Ford build information.
2024 Expedition AXLE Code Quick Lookup
These code mappings are specific to Ford’s 2024 Expedition towing guide, not a universal decoder.
How to verify: Driver’s door label → AXLE field → correct model-year chart. Factory labels may not reflect an aftermarket gear change. Data comes from the Ford and service references cited in the article.
Ford Expedition Gear Ratio Chart From 1997 to 2026
This chart summarizes ratios found in Ford owner guides, towing publications, order guides, and model-specific service information. A ratio listed for a year is a documented configuration, not a claim that every vehicle built that year used it. The code tables farther down identify factory equipment more precisely.
| Model year or group | Documented rear-axle ratios | Configuration notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 | Ford’s original towing information separates 4.6L and 5.4L V8, 4×2, and 4×4 applications. |
| 2001 | 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 | Ratios vary with engine, drive type, and tow configuration. |
| 2003–2004 | 3.73 | Ford’s published model specifications identify 3.73; verify individual builds rather than assuming this is the only possible axle. |
| 2006 | 3.31, 3.73 | Model-specific service data lists both ratios and conventional or limited-slip variants. |
| 2007–2008 | 3.31, 3.73 | Ford specification and ordering material distinguish standard and optional axle equipment. |
| 2009–2010 | 3.31, 3.73 | Factory axle codes 15, 16, and H6 are documented. |
| 2011–2014 | 3.31, 3.73 | Ford’s 2011–2013 brochures and 2014 towing information document these ratios; Expedition EL can differ from the standard body. |
| 2015–2016 | 3.15, 3.31, 3.73 | EcoBoost-era configurations vary by 4×2, 4×4, Expedition EL, and tow package. |
| 2018–2021 | 3.15, 3.31, 3.73 | Ford’s 2018 towing guide and 2019–2021 technical sheets document these ratios. |
| 2022–2024 | 3.31, 3.73 | Ford towing guides distinguish 3.31 configurations from available 3.73 configurations. |
| 2025–2026 | 3.31, 3.73 | Ford technical specifications list 3.31 for 4×2 and 3.73 for 4×4; equipment and differential type vary by package. |
Coverage limitation: This is a verified-reference chart, not an individual build-sheet database. The sources reviewed do not independently establish every configuration for 1998–2000, 2002, 2005, or 2017. Check the vehicle’s label or Ford build information for those years instead of treating an adjacent-year entry as proof. Similarly, the 2003–2004 row gives a published ratio, not an exhaustive option list.
1997 to 2002 First Generation Models
Early Expeditions used the 4.6L or 5.4L V8. Ford’s 2001 owner’s manual includes 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 in its towing configurations. For example, its 5.4L 4×2 table lists a 3.31 axle with a 6,800-pound maximum trailer weight and a 3.73 axle with an 8,300-pound maximum under the stated equipment conditions.
Those different ratings do not make axle ratio the only towing variable. Tire size, engine, GCWR, hitch equipment, and vehicle loading also matter. The historical values are documented in the 2001 Expedition owner’s guide.
2003 to 2006 Second Generation Models
The second-generation Expedition has documented 3.73 applications. By 2006, model-specific Ford service information also identifies a 3.31 axle. That is why a single published 2003 specification should not be copied into every 2004–2006 vehicle lookup.
For a 2006 Expedition, service information maps 15 to 3.31, 16 to 3.73 non-limited slip, and H6 to 3.73 limited slip. Decode the vehicle’s label before ordering a ring-and-pinion set.
2007 to 2014 Third Generation Models
Ford’s 2007 and 2010 specifications identify 3.31 and 3.73 configurations. The 2012 Expedition brochure also separates 3.31 and 3.73 towing configurations. Depending on year, the longer body was sold as the Expedition EL.
A useful example is the 2012 brochure: it lists a 3.31 standard-body 4×2 configuration and 3.73-equipped Expedition and EL combinations. Do not assume a 4×4 badge or the EL name alone identifies the exact axle.
2015 to 2021 EcoBoost Models
The 2015 Expedition introduced an especially important distinction for this lookup: Ford’s towing guide documents 3.15, 3.31, and 3.73 final-drive options. Its Expedition-specific code table lists 10 for a 3.15 non-limited-slip axle, 15 for 3.31, and either 16 or 3L for documented 3.73 types.
See the Expedition entries, not the F-150 entries, in Ford’s 2015 RV and Trailer Towing Guide. Codes can overlap between Ford model lines while representing different ratios.
For 2019 and 2021, Ford’s published technical specifications distinguish 3.15 for standard-wheelbase 4×2, 3.31 for standard-wheelbase 4×4 and MAX 4×2, and 3.73 for MAX 4×4 in their final-drive overview. Optional equipment can change the factory configuration, so use those figures as the published specification layout rather than a substitute for the door label.
2022 to 2026 Latest Models
Ford’s 2022–2024 Expedition towing publications describe 3.31 and 3.73 rear-axle configurations. Its 2024 Expedition Towing Guide also supplies an Expedition-specific door-label decoder.
For 2025 and 2026, Ford’s technical specifications publish a 3.31 final drive for 4×2 and 3.73 for 4×4. The 2026 specification also identifies the Tremor’s 3.73 electronic-locking rear differential. These details are confirmed in Ford’s 2026 Expedition Technical Specifications.
Which Ford Expedition Axle Codes Match Each Ratio
The AXLE field on Ford’s door certification label identifies the original rear axle. Read the correct model-year-specific chart: an axle code that appears in a generic F-150 list may have a different meaning on an Expedition.
Early Expedition Axle Codes
The following mappings appear in 2001 Expedition service information:
| AXLE code | Factory ratio | Differential |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 3.31:1 | Non-limited slip |
| H7 | 3.31:1 | Limited slip |
| 19 | 3.55:1 | Non-limited slip |
| H9 | 3.55:1 | Limited slip |
| H6 | 3.73:1 | Limited slip |
These are historical Expedition codes, not a universal decoder for every Ford model or every model year.
2006 to 2018 Expedition Code Examples
| Confirmed year | AXLE code | Factory ratio | Differential |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006, 2009, 2012 | 15 | 3.31:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2006, 2009, 2012 | 16 | 3.73:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2006, 2009, 2012 | H6 | 3.73:1 | Limited slip |
| 2015 | 10 | 3.15:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2015 | 15 | 3.31:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2015 | 16 | 3.73:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2015–2016 | 3L | 3.73:1 | Limited slip |
| 2018 | 10 / 15 / 3L | 3.15 / 3.31 / 3.73 | Match code and differential type in that year’s Ford guide |
Do not confuse vehicle codes with order codes. A dealer ordering document may show codes such as X15 or 62E, while the certification label uses its own AXLE field. Use the label-specific decoding table for the year of the SUV.
2024 Expedition Axle Codes
Ford’s 2024 Expedition towing publication identifies these precise mappings:
| AXLE code | Factory ratio | Ford’s differential description |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 3.31:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2L | 3.73:1 | Non-limited slip |
| 2E | 3.73:1 | Electronic limited slip |
A key trap is code 15: Ford’s 2015 F-150 chart uses 15 for a 3.15 axle, while its Expedition-specific table uses 15 for 3.31. Match both the model and year. For broader identification principles, see our Ford axle code identification guide, but use the Expedition mappings on this page for an Expedition.
How to Find Your Expedition Axle Code
Ford places the factory Safety Compliance Certification Label on the driver’s door area. The wording and arrangement can vary by year, but the label generally includes an AXLE field among other vehicle codes.
- Open the driver’s door. Look along the door edge or the door-latch pillar for the manufacturer certification label.
- Find the field marked AXLE. On many Ford labels it appears near fields such as TR and WB. Do not use the paint or transmission code.
- Record the complete axle code. Write down both characters, including a letter when present.
H6,3L, and2Eare not interchangeable. - Match the code to the correct model year. Use an Expedition-specific factory chart or ask a Ford parts department to confirm the original build against your VIN.
If the label is damaged or missing, Ford service information may identify the axle using a housing tag or original service-parts record. A VIN can help retrieve factory build data; its characters alone do not provide a universal, human-readable rear-axle ratio.
Which Ratios Apply to Expedition MAX and 4WD
Expedition MAX does not have one universal ratio, and 4WD does not always mean 3.73. The relationship changed with model year and package availability.
For example, Ford’s 2019 and 2021 technical summaries group 3.15 with standard-wheelbase 4×2, 3.31 with standard-wheelbase 4×4 and MAX 4×2, and 3.73 with MAX 4×4. But the same era also included tow-package options, so a real vehicle’s factory record takes precedence over a simplified standard-equipment table.
The picture changes again in the 2025–2026 generation, where Ford publishes 3.31 for 4×2 and 3.73 for 4×4 in its technical-specification overview. If you are buying a used Expedition or replacing an axle, check the actual AXLE code rather than relying on the model badge.
What 3.15, 3.31, 3.55 and 3.73 Mean
A 3.73:1 axle ratio means the driveshaft turns about 3.73 times for one wheel revolution, assuming no wheel slip. The larger the numerical ratio, the more the axle multiplies driveshaft torque, but the more driveshaft revolutions it needs for the same wheel speed.
- 3.15:1: Taller gearing. At the same speed, tire size, and transmission gear, it produces lower driveshaft RPM than 3.73.
- 3.31:1: Slightly more torque multiplication than 3.15, with a smaller gearing change than jumping to 3.73.
- 3.55:1: Between 3.31 and 3.73. It appears in documented early Expedition configurations.
- 3.73:1: Numerically shorter gearing, offering greater axle torque multiplication at the same input torque than the other listed ratios.
Compared with 3.31, a 3.73 axle gives approximately 12.7% more axle torque multiplication at the same driveshaft torque (3.73 ÷ 3.31 ≈ 1.127). That does not mean a 12.7% gain in towing capacity or acceleration. Engine output, transmission ratios, tire size, traction, and factory ratings determine the actual outcome.
How Axle Ratio Affects Expedition Towing Capacity
Axle ratio affects how readily the drivetrain can turn the wheels under load. It does not, by itself, establish a safe trailer-weight rating. The engine, cooling system, tow package, hitch, payload, GAWR, GVWR, and GCWR still apply.
Ford’s 2001 owner’s manual illustrates the difference: a documented 5.4L 4×2 with 3.31 gearing is listed with a 6,800-pound maximum trailer rating, while the 3.73 configuration reaches 8,300 pounds under its stated conditions. Those historical limits should never be used for another year or vehicle.
For current and historical tow ratings, use our Ford Expedition towing capacity chart and confirm the rating for your exact equipment. Changing gears does not increase the vehicle’s certified towing limit.
How Final Drive Ratios Differ From Transmission Gears
The axle’s final-drive ratio is not the same as an automatic transmission’s first, second, or tenth gear ratio. The overall reduction in a selected gear is the transmission ratio multiplied by the axle ratio.
Ford’s 2026 Expedition technical sheet lists first gear at 4.70:1, tenth at 0.64:1, and final drive at 3.31:1 for 4×2 or 3.73:1 for 4×4. For example, first gear with a 3.73 axle gives an approximate overall reduction of 4.70 × 3.73 = 17.53:1, before other driveline factors.
If you are identifying the gearbox itself rather than the axle, the Ford transmission identification chart covers Ford transmission families and identification methods.
How to Verify Gear Ratios After Axle Replacement
The door label describes the original factory configuration. It may not describe the gears currently installed if a previous owner replaced the differential or ring-and-pinion set.
Before buying parts or assuming an aftermarket ratio, review service invoices and inspect the axle assembly identification label or tag when accessible. A Ford service department or qualified differential shop can check the physical assembly and available build records.
For a 4WD Expedition, front and rear axle ratios must be matched correctly if differential gearing has been changed. Do not engage the 4WD system after an uncertain axle swap until the gearing has been confirmed by a qualified technician. Use the vehicle-specific Ford service procedure rather than a generic wheel-turning shortcut for a limited-slip or electronically controlled differential.
Which Expedition Gear Ratio Should You Verify First
The Ford Expedition gear ratio chart is a starting point, not a substitute for the AXLE code on your own SUV. Ratios changed between generations, and the same model year can have multiple documented configurations. On older Expeditions, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 all appear in factory material; newer generations include 3.15 on certain years and 3.31 or 3.73 on others.
For a factory-original vehicle, find the driver’s door label, record the year and AXLE code, and match it to the correct Ford information. If the axle has been modified or replaced, confirm the installed gears before ordering parts, changing tire sizes, or making towing decisions.
Ford Expedition Gear Ratio Questions Owners Ask Most
What Gear Ratio Does a 2001 Ford Expedition Have?
The 2001 Expedition has documented 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 axle configurations. The correct ratio depends on the 4.6L or 5.4L engine, drivetrain, and equipment; check the AXLE code rather than selecting a single ratio from the model year.
Does a 2015 Ford Expedition Have 3.15 Gears?
Yes. Ford’s 2015 towing guide lists a 3.15 rear-axle ratio for certain Expedition configurations, alongside 3.31 and 3.73. Its Expedition-specific axle-code table pairs the 3.15 non-limited-slip axle with code 10.
What Does Ford Expedition Axle Code 2E Mean?
In Ford’s 2024 Expedition towing guide, code 2E means a 3.73:1 electronic limited-slip axle. Do not automatically apply that code definition to another model year or different Ford vehicle without its matching documentation.
Is 3.73 Better Than 3.31 for Towing?
A 3.73 axle multiplies torque more than 3.31 at the same driveshaft input, which can help under load. It does not automatically raise the manufacturer’s towing rating. Check the exact factory towing chart, tow package, and weight limits for your SUV.
Can an Expedition Have Different Gears Than Its Door Sticker?
Yes. The sticker describes the axle fitted at the factory, so a differential replacement or aftermarket re-gear may leave it outdated. Confirm the installed ring-and-pinion ratio through reliable repair records or qualified inspection before selecting replacement parts.
