I saw the FTE VIN decoder a while ago but I hadn't got around to using it until tonight. I punched in my VIN and just about freaked out! It says that the 8th digit of the VIN is the engine code "G" which it tells me is a 5.8L

I bought my truck as a 7.5L and have been buying parts for it as such so far without any issues. So I thought maybe someone swapped engines until I tried the LMC Truck VIN decoder and it says that a "G" code engine IS a 7.5l in 1989. So which is it?

FTE Decoder - VIN Number Decoder offer to you by Ford Trucks Enthusiasts | www.ford-trucks.com

LMC Truck Decoder - LMC Truck Parts - Page 11

My truck's VIN - 2FTJW36G8KCA33770

A picture of my engine

 

Well you have a 460 now, and according to a CORRECT vin decoder it was built with a 460
https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...vinResults.asp

 

Thanks for your knowledge sir. Two more quick questions if I can.

Was the 7.5L the only engine of that vintage not to have the big aluminum plenum with the engine size embossed on it?

Is this axle decoder correct in the first place and does it apply to my 1989, my axle code is C5 - Ford Axle Code Chart .: Articles

P.S. Wups, one more question. The trans code is a "W" shouldn't that be a Z? Everything i've read says there wasn't a W code until later years???

 

The 460 is a dead giveaway because of the pleninum that faces straight forward no no numbers cast into it(4.9,5.0.5.8).

By my charts a C5 is 4:10 limited slip

As far as trans codes i have nothing

 

FTE's VIN decoder isn't worth two cents, LMC's isn't any better, as both have multiple errors and omissions.

2FT = Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd-Complete vehicle.

J = Class H = 9,001-10,000 lbs. GVWR

W36 = F350 4WD Crew Cab Pickup.

G = 460 EFI

8 = Check Digit, FoMoCo use only.

K = 1989.

C = Oakville Ontario Canada Truck Assembly Plant.

A33770 = 1989 Numerical Sequence of Assembly, the trucks specific serial number

G engine codes: 1980/85 351W 2V / 1987/89 460 EFI.

Info source: 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog.

FTE's VIN decoder info was not taken from any Ford Parts Catalogs. I doubt if LMC's was either.

More than likely it was taken from the horribly in-accurate Red Book, a total POS first published in the 1960's by and for Ford nuts, available in book stores.

Not one bit of info in the POS Red Book was taken from any Ford parts catalog.

 

Thanks Bill, I don't see you over here on the '89-'96 side as often as I used to on the '61-'66 side. I knew you hated the LMC decoder, wasn't sure how accurate the FTE one was until now.

Do you have any info on the "W" trans code, looks like it's a "wide ratio" ZF-5spd? What ratio/other differences are there between the two ZF's?

Did they put wide ratios in the 4.10 trucks and regular ZF's in the 3.55 trucks?

 

The only five speed manual transmission that was ever offered behind the 460 is the ZF and it only came in one set of gear ratios for that motor. The diesel version of the ZF has a different set of ratios to work better with a diesel motor's lower powerband.

 

Look at this on the side of the ZFs...

...then decode it yourself with this...
http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...nsmissions.pdf

Unlike the tag on an E4OD, ZF's is stamped in so it's ok to clean it! LOL :)

Alvin in AZ

 

The ONLY ZF that came in these GAS trucks was the wide ratio.


Wide Ratio
1st Gear:
5.72
2nd Gear:
2.94
3rd Gear:
1.61
4th Gear:
1.00
5th Gear:
0.76
Rev Gear:
5.24

 

1989/2001: W = ZF model M5HD-W Wide Ratio 5 Speed Heavy Duty Overdrive.

1988/2001: C = ZF model M5HD Close Ratio 5 Speed Heavy Duty Overdrive.

These are the only ZF 5 speed TRANS codes listed in the 1980/89 & 1990/2001 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalogs.

Note inre to 2001: I have no parts catalogs after this year.

I spend very little time in the 1987 and later forums, because it's easier for peeps to obtain parts for these newer vehicles.

The same thing cannot be said for 1986 and prior years.

 

Thanks again, you're a wealth of knowledge as always

It's hard to believe that's the "wide ratio" haha, driving the close ratio must be like driving a dump truck!

 

TYPO: TRANS code C = Should be M5HD not MFHD.

I edited my post to correct same.

 

I've seen that mistake repeated lots of places so wanted to get it
right here is all. The reverse gear ratio is the same as first = 5.72.

They may have made a ZF like that at some point or it's just a typo
or who knows what but typically most of the time information just
gets copied and so the mistake takes on a whole life of its own.

Like this mistake... "Broncos and F150s never came with a ZF"
You'll read that one over and over.
Ford spec book sez otherwise.
Bill confirmed it for me last week.

Alvin in AZ

 

I coulda told you that.

They are very hard to find, but a few 1988 F-150's and possibly Broncos were made with the 351w/ZF-5 combination.

 

ZF lists 5.24 for wide-ratio reverse in their documentation. If the tooth counts are correct, the math works out to 5.238.

http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...arRatio_60.pdf