Is there any way to tell from looking at the tranny if it is a BTS tranny?

When I bought my 2000 used in 2008, I was new to the Ford truck world The truck had 189k. The PO was telling me the history of the truck and said when they bought the truck with 80k the tranny was bad and he had it replaced. I think I remember him saying it was a special transmission and could swear he said Brian's Truck Stop. This of course meant nothing to me at the time, but Brian's Truck Stop was an odd name which is why I think I remember it.

Couple this with my truck now has 290k (210k miles since the tranny change) and it has been a daily driver and regularly tows my 34 foot, 11k lb toy hauler up and down the mountains of AZ. The tranny shifts strong and has never given me the slightest issue. I don't baby this thing at all.

Would be nice to know if there is some identifying mark or feature that would allow you to identify a BTS tranny by just looking underneath.

 

Why not just call Brian and ask him? I bet if you had the previous owners name he could look it up or tell you something in your attempt to identify the tranny. His number is: :870-422-(FORD)3673

 

Thanks for the number. I will give him a call.

I was just thinking with the number of BTS trannys installed on this forum, someone might know of an identifing mark or such.

 

Talked to Tina at BTS. She said there are no external markings. The only way to tell is if the Torque Converter is purple. (or if you have then name of a PO who paid for the tranny which I don't have). I will check my TQ.

I suggested that as popular and great as BTS trannies are, they should think about putting an external identifier on their trannys. (ie a metal tag, or painting a stripe, etc)

Any hoo, thanks for the help!

 

You mean you actually talked to a person there? I didn't think they answered phones or returned messages. I've called a couple of times and left a couple of messages for him to call me back on a transmission question I had and never heard anything back.

Drake

 

Are you sure you're calling the right place, this has never been my experience with Brian or his shop.

 

The only way to tell is if the TC is 'purple'? There are a few transmission installers that use the same TC as BTS. What Tina meant (imo) is that (A) It is the purple styl TC and (B) check the serial number on the TC. Brian logs in the serial numbers of the TC to the owner of the truck (I think).

I had an issue and thought is might be with my transmission and he thought that it might be the TC and he changed it out and made sure that the serial numbers were switched to match the transmission to the TC. As it turned out my issue had nothing to do with the BTS transmission, but a loose screw on the selector under the dash.....

 

It's real simple.

Get under your truck, and look along the side of the transmission housing. If it has stamped in big 3" tall bold letters, "B. A. M. F." on it, it's probably one of Brian's trannies.

 

I have never had an issue with answered calls either.

As far as B A M F, I think I count 4 letters, but could be mistaken,lol

 

It said 3" tall...as in 3 inches tall.

 

Boy, buying a truck WITH a BTS tranny already in it without knowing it is like winning the lotto.

 

Same here, I left like 5 or 6 messages,3 emails and still waiting and that was over a year ago. I actually talked to a lady there and said Brian is on lunch and will call me as soon as he gets back and that was some where between the 5th or 6th message. So I had some one just build my Trans for me. But its nowhere neer a BTS.

 

I've called BTS probably 5 or 6 times, & each time Tina or Patty answer and put Brian on the phone. I guess I have good timing
And when I was at BTS Brian must have taken 10-15 calls while building my trans, and he didn't seem bothered by it at all. It would drive me crazy when I'm trying to concentrate...
I was also surprised that Brian doesn't mark his trans to make it more identifiable. Other than some little sharpie markings in the bell housing I didn't see him stamp or engrave anything.

 

Call early for best results.

 

Early Jan or Feb ?