Old Transmission Stamping Riddles
I have come upon a T-18 transmission.
• Stamped on the top: A.5.79 Q3 13 01 097 906
• Stamped on the left side: NFC2 8325 13-01-065-904 Borg Warner
• Stamped on a tag on top: D9T3 CB and an oval with a word in it I can't make out (Ford)?
How can I tell what year transmission I have?
Is there any way to tell the gear ratio? Any clue on how to find out?
Who would you recommend to service this unit and go through it?
George Geyer Jr.
Lindenhurst, NY
This is tough one to answer definitively, but we're fairly certain that your unit is indeed a Ford gearbox, most likely manufactured in 1979. Gear ratios are 6.32:1, 3.09:1, 1.69:1, a 1.00:1 direct Drive, and a 7.44:1 Reverse. It should be running a 10-spline input shaft that sticks out 61/2 inches from the transmission housing (that will confirm that it's a Ford unit, as will a PTO outlet on the passenger side of the case), and the Reverse shift pattern should be to the right and downward (that'll confirm it's a '79-and-later version). This cast-iron grinder is quite desirable due to its low First gear, improved lubrication (over the T-98 it's based off) and stout internals. It can handle V-8 power (it bolts up directly to a typical Ford small-block bellhousing), and if properly maintained should last a very long time. Because this was a fairly common gearbox that saw production in Jeeps, Ford, and Scouts for over 25 years, just about any competent transmission builder or off-road shop should be able to service it without any problems.
Whipsaw Memorial
I just wanted to show my appreciation for picturing my former husband's memorial site from the "Whipsaw Trail" article (Aug. '10). It is nice to see people climbing the rock in his name. I am since remarried, but my new husband and I, and my friends and family, still go every year on the September long weekend to visit him. That plaque on the rock has had a lot of tire prints on it.
Viola Goertzen (nee Janzen)
Canyon Creek, Alberta
Canada
3-Ton Military Rock Buggy?
I wanted to know if you knew about the new military truck, the SRATS. I've seen some sitting in a off-load yard here in country. Would love to see a write-up about it. I've got some pics that I can send to you. From what I saw, it is going to be one hell of a fun truck to play with. I'm trying to get someone to let me take one out to check it out. Thanks for a great mag, and keep up all the tech info. I will be getting subscribed up when I get home.
Rob Robinett
Via the Internet
Yep, we know about it. Technically speaking, it's called the ELSORV, which is short for (you'll love this) Enhanced Logistic Off Road Vehicle. It's one of the "future rigs" the military is testing for its next generation of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, and its design was supposedly inspired by competition rock buggies. We don't know a whole lot of details, except it's a V-hull (blast-resistant) body style on a HMMWV chassis, and it runs a 6.5L diesel, Allison tranny, solid axles at both ends, and coil suspension. It weighs 6,800 pounds empty, can carry 2,700 more, and has a claimed top speed of 100 mph. We've seen some photos of them running Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs on beadlocked wheels, and it's got a grille that looks like it came off a 50-series Land Cruiser. (In other words, we dig it.) We'd love to get our hands on one for testing, but to the best of our knowledge, the only working prototypes are all tooling around in Afghanistan at present. But we'll be on the lookout in case the ELSORV goes into full production. It looks like it would be a killer rig in the dirt.
Mystery Lift for F-250 LD
I have a '98 F-250 4x4 with the 5.4L engine and independent frontend. I want to lift it 2 or 3 inches. I am going to use leaf springs to lift the back (not blocks), but my question is, what do I need to do to lift the front end? I can't find anything on lifting my year of truck with the independent front-any info would be much appreciated.
Christian
Lake Isabella, CA
If you only need 2 to 3 inches of lift, we'd recommend you consider a leveling kit for the front. Tuff Country and Daystar both make kits for your truck that'll give you 2 to 21/2 inches, and whichever you choose, they're easy to install and quite affordable.