I have a 1985 F-150. The transmission code on the door is 'W', but I cannot find anything to tell me what that means. Anyone know how to find out? I went to Ford's VIN breakdown website, but of course it says nothing about the transmission.

 

Found this online - I can't vouch for it but it *looks* right. Please correct (and moderator remove) if incorrect.

B (1976-78)- Warner T-85 3speed
C- Ford-Manual 3speed
D- Warner T-89 3speed
E- Warner T-87 3speed
F- Warner T-18 4speed
A (1976-86)- New Process 435 4speed
P- Warner T-19 4speed
B (1979-86)- Clark 4speed O.D.
G- Automatic C4
W- Automatic C5
P- Automatic C6 thru 1977
K- Automatic C6 1978-86
J- Automatic FMX
T- Automatic Overdrive

 

I have no idea if the years in that table are correct, but everything matches up to my 1981
factory shop manual EXCEPT for J which the book says is a C4 available in the F100 and
F150.

 

I found an article online that shows how to determine what transmission you have.

1. - If the drain pan has 13 bolts its a C3
2. - If the drain pan has 11 bolts and the bell housing is 6 1/4" its a C4
3. - If the drain pan has 11 bolts and the bell housing is 7" its a C5

Going by this I have a C5. Going by the previous chart I have a C4. I don't know what I have.

 

Welcome to the Internet, where anybody can post pretty much anything and it's up to the
reader to decide if the source is authoritative & credible or not.

I do what I can to try and keep the information here as accurate as possible (especially
the more important stuff (that which concerns laws)) but it only makes sense to do some
of the time. What you have here are pretty much a bunch of guys hangin' out together at
the local drag strip (or whatever) - you'll get a bunch of opinions but only some of it can
be verified to be true fact.

On that note, here's a picture we use that AFAIK is accurate (I think one of the other
moderators here created it) but I can't guarantee it and wouldn't bet my life on it. IMHO
the best way to know for certain is to use factory shop manuals specific to your year.

 

In your first post you said your transmission code on the door was "W". According to the chart, "W" = C5. So if both your drain pain shape and the code indicate C5, I don't see a discrepancy here.

 

You're right the list you posted shows C5 also. I had another list I found from a website that indicated C4 and confused them.

I have the drain pan in front of my now and am I am comparing it to the image ctubutis uploaded. It looks almost exactly light the C4 picture, but has a slight difference. The bolt pattern is the same, but that little extra section at the bottom right is on a different side for me.

 

I should also mention that my 1981 book doesn't have any mention of a code W or of a C5.

 

I thought the C5 was an 82 or 83 introduction....basically a modified C4.

 

I have no idea, I've owned only two vehicles with automatic transmissions my entire life.

 

Ironically, my current truck is an automatic, and my car has a Tremec 6 speed....