Numbers Matching Transmission?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
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Numbers Matching Transmission?
I recently started the prosses of swapping out the T-19 transmission in my 86 F250 with a ZF-5 out of a 94 Power Stroke. I was reading through this ZF manual (http://www.vaglinks.com/Docs/Catalog...ce_manual_.pdf) and became transfixed on the "transmission identification" photos. The rear of my T-19 is built like a 4x4 even though my truck is definitely only 4x2. The new ZF I have is definitely a 4x2. Ignoring the potential complications... I'm now curious, is my T-19 the original transmission in this truck? Or did someone swap it out for a 4x4 version to add that aftermarket underdrive it had?
I know old Mopar cars had some digits of their VIN tag stamped into the engine block and the transmission. A lot of restoration shops look for this to see if the car is "numbers matching". So my question is, did Ford do a similar thing? Where do I look for numbers on the transmission and which numbers on the VIN is it related to? How does someone identify a "numbers matching" Ford truck?
I know old Mopar cars had some digits of their VIN tag stamped into the engine block and the transmission. A lot of restoration shops look for this to see if the car is "numbers matching". So my question is, did Ford do a similar thing? Where do I look for numbers on the transmission and which numbers on the VIN is it related to? How does someone identify a "numbers matching" Ford truck?
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From: Virginia
Never heard of the VIN being stamped on the transmission, but it might be on there somewhere. The engines usually had a emissions sticker on the valve cover, and it may have some of the vin. It should be stamped on the engine, behind the intake manifold in front of the bellhousing. It will be just a partial vin, not the whole thing.
Fleet Mechanic
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From: Atlantic Canada
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Ford did numbers matching with engines (sometimes), but never with transmissions that I'm aware of.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
I was studying up on this when I answered previously, and I am not sure about these trucks, but Ford did put partial VIN's on some transmissions in their fleet. As you get later and later in the years, the partial VIN found it's way on most parts of the cars and trucks. This is how they figure out things at a crime scene. I think I remember them finding the partial VIN on the rearend housing from the U-haul truck that was involved in the first bombing of the twin towers. That's how they figured out who rented it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Atlantic Canada
That may very well be true Franklin. I was speaking mainly about the Bullnose trucks, and I have never heard anything about partial VINs on transmissions. They could certainly be there though...just because I've not heard of them doesn't mean much LOL. There were partial VIN stamps on the back of some 302's though. My '84 was stamped, and if you read on here you'll find others that were also. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it though...as lots of engines were NOT stamped.
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FTE Legend
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From: Angier, NC
I'm not an expert on the topic, but it was my understanding that all of the aftermarket overdrive units replaced the tailshaft housing on a 2wd transmission, thus making the 2wd transmission look like a 4wd transmission. I would guess that what you have is the original transmission.
I got one of the last from Advance Adapters Range Spliter's from what I hear.
The Gear Vender over drive does fit on the rear of the transmission, manual or auto, or the rear of a transfer case but only used in 2 wheel drive.
They are the only ones I know of that still make a over drive add on to older transmission now.
Dave ----
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
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What I had on there was a Doug Nash Enterprise DNE2 unit. It's very similar to the Gear Vendors unit, it attaches to the rear of the transmission but is actuated very differently and is a lot older. Unfortunately Doug Nash was bought out by US Gear and they've gone out of business since then so I couldn't get any replacement parts and had to abandon the DNE2.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
When I heard AA stopped making my OD unit I have given some thought of getting a full rebuild kit just in case.
Maybe next year I will look into it?
What parts did you need? Do you know what the unit was based off of?
Sometimes the parts used are from a known transmission and finding parts for it may work for the rebuilding.
If a gear is needed maybe a machine shop could make it for you?
Did AA also sell the DNE2?
I forget who did now.
Dave ----
Maybe next year I will look into it?
What parts did you need? Do you know what the unit was based off of?
Sometimes the parts used are from a known transmission and finding parts for it may work for the rebuilding.
If a gear is needed maybe a machine shop could make it for you?
Did AA also sell the DNE2?
I forget who did now.
Dave ----
3rd Gear
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I came here from your ad because I was confused that you described the donor truck of your crossmember and transmission as a 2WD and had a picture of a 4WD transmission and 4WD crossmember. I have a theory that the 4WD transmission is not original (or at least converted), and it was installed at the same time as the overdrive unit. Then they used a 4WD crossmember for good measure. Anyway, I couldn't let it be. I had to come here and add to the mystery.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
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I came here from your ad because I was confused that you described the donor truck of your crossmember and transmission as a 2WD and had a picture of a 4WD transmission and 4WD crossmember. I have a theory that the 4WD transmission is not original (or at least converted), and it was installed at the same time as the overdrive unit. Then they used a 4WD crossmember for good measure. Anyway, I couldn't let it be. I had to come here and add to the mystery.
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