The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Rear end & tranny serial numbers

I crawled under my truck this week end to get the serial number from the rear end and transmission (it's nice that I don't have to put it on a lift to see things since it's so high!) and do some work on the rear brakes. Anyway, I got the rear end number (RA1026) but couldn't find the transmission number. The American Classic web site says that, for my 49, the rear end code should be "SA" or "SB" for a dually (and it doesn't match anything for the single wheel units either) but obviously that's not what I found (I have a clear picture and have been able to read it with no problem). Also, I couldn't find the SN on the tranny; it wasn't where the shop manual said it should be (the manual shows it on the upper right rear of the tranny for a 4 spd and my tranny looks just like - with the exception of the grease and mud - what's in the book.).

My questions are:

Does anyone know what plant the "RA" code stands for?

Where else on the tranny might I find the serial number?

Thanks in advance.

Hey Jim, long time no type
Your axle decodes as a 48 dually w/ 5.14:1 gear. Don't know about the tranny. Might check the 48 codes and degrease that trans to find hidden #s. Good to hear from ya.

Mmmmm, the truck was built in late '48 so maybe it was a leftover axle since everything else points to a '49. Where did you get the decode to find out it was a '48? I'd like to take a look at it as well. Also, does it say whether it was a "Detroit Gear and Axle" (that plant had the "A" designation for 49) or "Tonawanda" or someplace else?

And it's going to be a while before I can get the tranny out and cleaned so that part will have to wait.

Good to hear from you as well and that you had an uneventful trip back from KC.

I got it from American Classic as well. I just had a sneaking hunch it could have been a 48.