I recently tried to purchase a remanufactured zf5 47 transmission online for my 97 truck. When it arrived I noticed the tag on the side said it was a 42 so I returned it. I then purchased a rebuilt unit from another online transmission place, specifically stating I wanted a 47 and not a 42. When it arrived it was a 42. I called and they assured me that only the case was a 42 and that all the gears and internal parts where the same as a 47. I have it in my truck now and maybe it's just me, but the gearing seems to be a bit higher. So now I'm wondering, WILL the internals for a 47 go in a 42 case? Or were they just telling me that to get out of accepting a return on the transmission? Evidently 47s are getting hard to come by.

 

Also...it makes a terrible racket in 5th gear, like loose gears rattling together or something. I have 5 quarts synthetic ATF in it. It only does it after its warmed up say after driving for 10 minutes, but it's been doing it for 500 miles now, definitely worse when I'm pulling a loaded trailer, and when I hit the brakes to stop with the clutch in it will get very loud, almost roar until I come to a stop. I've read so many threads on here about gear rollover, but I'm not sure, this is really annoying. I don't see how anyone could get use to this. Is this gear rollover noise? My previous transmission would do something similar when I would really push it in 5th gear for a long time like up a steep grade and then level off...I just assumed it had something to do with it getting hotter than normal.

 

Anyone simply know if ZF S5-47 gears will Go in a 42 case? I'm wanting to call the company about getting this thing looked at but if they just tried to pull one over on me sending a 42, then I have other issues with them. My core that I sent was a 47. Probably the last time I deal with online transmission warehouse.

 

The main difference is the rear extension housing. As long as you have the 47 guts on a 47 rear extension housing, I think a 42 case will go on it. But, the difference between the 47 and 42 case is, the tube that the release bearing slides on. The one on a 47 bolts on from the outside, which is better in my opinion, and the one on a 42 case is pressed through from the inside of the case. If it were me, I would tell them I want a 47 case with 47 internals or your core and money back.

 

See if you can find either one of these numbers on the rear extension housing.....

1307301093

1317301034

I think it would be on the top of the rear extension housing close to where it bolts to the case. May have to use a mirror a light to find it.

 

Thanks for your insight. At this point I'd love to have that core back and just find someone local that could rebuild it. I'll check for those numbers tomorrow. I'm assuming that if I find them that it is a 47 rear extension housing?

 

The first number is a 42, and the second is a 47.

 

I have a -47 with a -42 front case half on it in my F350. Works just fine and is silent.
Your 5th gear rattle is most likely not normal.

 

Rebuild, I tried locating that number on the rear extension housing back when you gave me the numbers but couldn't make it out. I bought one of those fancy inspection mirrors and finally could see the whole number.

It's 1307 401 093.... which is only one number different from the first number you gave me which means they just sent me a 42 hoping I wouldn't notice, I guess. The main difference I notice is reverse just seems higher. And it makes the constant racket in 5th. Anyway thanks for the information. I will be making a call. I hate they have my 47 and have probably already sent it to someone else.

 

Wow that would bug the digested food out of me. If they don't give you a good working 47 or your 47 back with your money, I'd probably want a full refund and keep the 42 transmission you have now for all the hassle you went through.

They lied to you twice giving you an inferior product that they were supposed to give you. I don't have much experience with the zf transmissions, so I don't know how the 42 compares to the 47, but there still is a difference.

I bought a 42 for my diesel swap, and I'm pretty sure its going to be a great transmission, but if I had a 47, was told I'd get one back, pay a bunch of money, then get a 42... well I wouldn't be too excited that's for sure.

 

^^^^^ +1; that's my take on this whole thread. The S5-42 is a good tranny, and will handle most anything thrown at it. But it's the principle. If they're advertising that they're selling a -47, they should ship a -47. If they don't have one, can't get one, whatever, they should notify the customer BEFORE shipping, and offer the -42 at a commensurate price. If they can't offer a break on the price BEFORE shipping, the should offer to cancel the order. Anything else is classic bait-and-switch. Doesn't matter if it's just sloppiness on their part, or intentional fraud, it's not something a customer should have to tolerate.

 

I'm pretty sure at this point, it was intentional. They were just hoping I wouldn't scrape the new paint off of the side tag and then question them. When I did question the case being a 42, they were ready to tell me the internals were identical to a 47. I like to trust people, but I should have checked out what they were saying about that before I put it in my truck.

 

Who did you buy the transmission from?

 

It was Manual-transmission.com... man-trans in Tallahassee, FL. It may be a decent company, just a few bad employees trying to cut corners or something. I think every time I called I talked to the same guy. His name was Marcus.

 

It sucks that this happened. I would definitely try to get my core and money back though. If they are telling the truth and did put 47 internals in a 42 case, and used a 42 rear housing also, then that could be why it's so noisy in 5th gear. Like I said before, the 47 uses a slightly different rear housing, and that is what all the internals are attached to. They may not be lying to you, they may just not know any better. Either way though, you aren't getting what you paid for, and that's not fair to you.