I would also highlight the 38 in the LH column, just to be clear for newbs.

 

Good point on the highlighting.

But, don't miss my post about the # of pages. I need to figure out how to break them up or we'll get lost in the morass.

 

The 20 pages of axle part stuff?

 

Seriously, I'm confused - are you talking about your comment in Post #28 i which you talked about the 20 pages of front axle stuff?

If that's what you're talking about posting, well....

People are going to need to RTFM at the very start where it tells you HOW to use that manual; it starts with the easiest (you have the tag number) or you can do this or you can do that (each progressively more work) or you can go to the pictures and find the basic number and then go back to the text.

I wouldn't try to explain that last part; anybody who is that involved in a project requiring that kind of effort and work should purchase their own copies of the documentation and do their own homework. I like helping people but sometimes there is only so much I am willing to do, and spoon-feeding sponges who don't give anything back isn't one of them.

You will need to explain the black stars and r/b.

I would start simple - post only the stuff pertaining to the tag numbers; the other cross-reference stuff will likely require additional training on how to use; remember, we've been taught by the supreme leader(s) of this stuff and take lots of stuff for granted (e.g. what is a Basic number, where do the prefix & suffix come from and what do they mean, Before 1/83 and From 1/83 (for example), what is a Parts List, how is this stuff sorted, yadda yadda yadda). It would be tedious and would suck, and you'd get burned out and there will be the inevitable questions... cut it up into sections, intersperse these sections with other areas you can get done faster and easier (which will help provide for the feeling of accomplishment) so there is not such a feeling of doom and drudgery.

Or are you not asking about that?

 

Yes, that's exactly what I was asking about. And, your points are well made. Thanks.

Wow, this turned out to be more complex than I thought. I'm wondering about starting a new thread asking for input on the approach to take. But, not before I've thought about it a bit more and tried a few more things.

Thanks!

 

EDIT: RTFM at the start of that front axle section; reading the entire beginning of the manual, cripe, nobody is going to do that - *I* didn't even do that!

About spoon-feeding the sponges - maybe people who really wanted that kind of help would just need to write in and make a special request....

 

I did start the new thread - Certification Label & VIN Decoder. So, we can take this conversation there and quit hijacking this thread. But, thanks for the input - don't stop now!

 

Nobody?

 

Only old parts managers and young whippersnappers trying to learn.

So, Bill, where do I find what I think is the back-of-the-cab listings? In other words, where do I find the decoder for the "4" in "AB4" under Body in the example below? I've seen it but can't get back to it.

 

Ask and ye shall receive...

 

Thanks, Bill. That's exactly what I needed. I used it on the page for the Body Codes page. See what you think.

 

When I saw on the Certification Label that you said DSO translates to dealer special order .. I said what the hell?

2 digit DSO = District Sales Office.

6 digit DSO = 1st 2 digits (see above), last 4 digits = Domestic Special Order.

2 digit DSO codes:

 

Good catch! Thanks. But, it wasn't I that said "Dealer Special Order". That is directly from Page 18 of the catalog. Here it is w/o my blue boxes and correction to the example. But, I'll correct it on my web site.




And, I have the district offices listed on my site.

 

My DSO page now reads as follows. Hope that's ok with you.

 

Oh where oh where did my little dog gone? Oh where oh where could he be?

Look at the DSO list below (same pic in post 42), you omitted quite a few above.