Ford Transmission Identification Chart (1964–2026): Door Code, Tag & Fluid
To identify a Ford transmission, start with the window sticker or build sheet, then check the TR field on the driver’s door label, and confirm with the tag on the transmission case. Your VIN will not name the transmission on a modern Ford.
| Where to look | What it tells you | How reliable |
|---|---|---|
| Window sticker or build sheet | Names the factory transmission | Best for the original build |
| Door label TR field | Factory transmission code (Ford publishes no public decoder) | A clue; confirm with a dealer |
| Tag or label on the case | The unit installed now | Best if the transmission was swapped |
| VIN | Engine (position 8), not the transmission | Use it to pull the build record |
Common Ford automatics are the 6R80 (most F-150s, 2009–2017, and the 3.3L V6 through 2020), the 10R80 (F-150, 2017 and newer), and the 6R140 TorqShift (Super Duty, 2011 and newer).
This page lists the main Ford automatic and manual transmissions, with production years, first-gear ratios and the correct fluid from Ford’s Motorcraft Automatic Transmission Fluid Chart (version 21, published 9/2026). Where Ford publishes no official data, such as door-label codes, we say so instead of guessing.
How to Identify Your Ford Transmission
- Window sticker or build sheet. The original window sticker lists the transmission. SlashGear notes you can order a replacement for vehicles built from 2007 on, and that build sheets for U.S. and Canadian Fords from 1967 to 2020 are sold by third parties. See our guide to getting a Ford build sheet by VIN.
- Door label TR field. The Safety Compliance Certification Label on the driver’s door jamb has a TR (transmission) field. Ford’s own help page only describes it as the transmission entry, so read the next section before trusting any online code list.
- Tag or label on the transmission case. A tag, label or stamped number on the case shows what is installed now. It is the best check if the transmission was ever swapped.
- Year, model and engine. Narrowing by model year, vehicle and engine usually leaves only one or two choices. Use the chart below, and for trucks see what transmission you have in your F-150.
- Pan shape and bolt count. Useful for older units only, and a backup, not proof. Counts below come from owner reports and should be checked against your pan.
If paperwork and labels are missing, a Ford dealer can look up the original build from your VIN. Ford’s Customer Relationship Center is 1-800-392-3673.
What the Door Label TR Code Does and Does Not Tell You
The TR field on the door label names the transmission the vehicle was built with. Ford’s help page on the Safety Compliance Certification Label lists it as “Transmission” and refers owners to a dealer or the Customer Relationship Center (1-800-392-3673) for a Technical Data Sheet on older vehicles. Ford gives no public chart that translates each TR letter or number.
Third-party code lists exist, but they do not agree. In one Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum thread, posters give B as the 4R75E in one reply and as the 4R70W in another, and none of the lists cite a Ford document. Treat a letter such as “U” as a clue, not an answer. The same letter can mean different transmissions across model years and vehicle lines.
To decode your own label, note the model year and vehicle, then ask a Ford dealer to confirm the code against your VIN. Confirm with the case tag if you plan to buy parts. For the other codes on the same sticker, see our Ford axle code chart and paint code list.
Can You Find the Transmission From the VIN?
Usually not. Position 8 of a Ford VIN identifies the engine, and SlashGear reports that modern Ford VINs do not carry transmission information. Many engines were offered with more than one transmission, so the engine code alone cannot separate, for example, a manual from an automatic.
Use the VIN to pull up the build record or ask a dealer, then confirm with the label or tag. For help reading the number itself, see how to read a Ford VIN and our VIN decoding chart.
Ford Automatic Transmission Identification Chart
Years and first-gear ratios come from the sources listed at the end. Fluid comes from Ford’s Motorcraft fluid chart, which only covers model years 2007 and newer, so older units show a dash.
| Transmission | Years built | Speeds | 1st gear | Fluid (Ford chart) | How to recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C4 | 1964 to the early 1980s | 3 | 2.46:1 | — | Aluminum case with a separate bellhousing; owner reports give an 11-bolt pan |
| C6 | 1966 onward | 3 | 2.46:1 | — | Heavy-duty unit for big engines; owner reports give a 17-bolt pan |
| AOD | 1980–1993 | 4 (overdrive) | 2.40:1 | — | First Ford overdrive automatic, mechanically controlled; owner reports give a 14-bolt pan |
| 4R70W / 4R70E | 1993–2008+ | 4 | 2.84:1 (4R70W) | MERCON V (2007) | Electronic AOD successor; see Are all 4R70W transmissions the same? |
| E4OD | 1989–1998 | 4 | — | — | C6-based electronic overdrive for trucks and vans; reported 20-bolt pan |
| 4R100 | 1998–2004 | 4 | — | — | Updated E4OD for Super Duty, E-Series, Excursion and Expedition; reported 20-bolt pan. See 4R100 shift points |
| 5R110W TorqShift | Through 2016 | 5 | — | MERCON LV (2007–2016) | Super Duty diesel automatic before the 6R140 |
| 6R80 | 2009–2020 | 6 | 4.17:1 | MERCON LV (2009–2020) | Most F-150s 2009–2017, and 2018–2020 with the 3.3L V6; also Expedition, Mustang and Ranger |
| 6R140 TorqShift 6 | 2011–present | 6 | 3.97:1 | MERCON LV (2011–2026) | Super Duty, introduced for the 2011 model year |
| 10R80 | 2017–present | 10 | 4.696:1 | MERCON ULV (2017–2026) | F-150 3.5L EcoBoost in 2017; wider from 2018. Also Mustang and Expedition |
| 10R100 / 10R140 TorqShift 10 | 10R140 from 2020; 10R100 from 2023 | 10 | 4.696:1 / 4.615:1 | MERCON ULV | Super Duty ten-speeds. Ratios are from Ford’s 2025 Super Duty specs |
Ratios for the 6R family come from the Ford 6R family article, and for the older units from Wikipedia (AOD, AODE, 4R70W), C4, C6 and E4OD and 4R100 pages on Wikipedia. The 10R100 and 10R140 first-gear ratios are from Ford’s 2025 Super Duty Technical Specs. A few pre-2000 unit years differ by source, so always confirm against the tag on your case.
The 10R60 appears in Ford’s fluid chart in the same column as the 10R140 and 10R80 hybrid, all on MERCON ULV from 2020. For fluid amounts, use our transmission fluid capacity chart.
F-150 Transmission by Year
| F-150 model years | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–2017 | 6R80 (6-speed) on most trucks | A few early or base-engine trucks may differ, so confirm with the tag. The 3.5L EcoBoost moved to the 10R80 in 2017 |
| 2017 | 10R80 on the 3.5L EcoBoost | Per F150 Hub the 10-speed first arrived on the 3.5L EcoBoost |
| 2018 and newer | 10R80 (10-speed) | Standard on all engines except the base 3.3L V6 |
| 2018–2020 with 3.3L V6 | 6R80 (6-speed) | Wikipedia lists the 6R80 through 2020 for this engine |
For year-by-year swaps, see the F-150 transmission interchange chart and what year the F-150 got the 10-speed.
Super Duty Transmissions
The 6R140 TorqShift 6 arrived for the 2011 Super Duty, designed to handle the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel, according to Commercial Carrier Journal. Ford’s fluid chart lists the 6R140 on MERCON LV from 2011 and a 10R140 column on MERCON ULV from 2020. Ford’s 2025 Super Duty specs list both the 10R100 (4.696:1 first gear) and the 10R140 (4.615:1).
| Gear | 10R100 | 10R140 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4.696 | 4.615 |
| 2nd | 2.985 | 2.919 |
| 3rd | 2.146 | 2.132 |
| 4th | 1.769 | 1.773 |
| 5th | 1.520 | 1.519 |
| 6th | 1.275 | 1.277 |
| 7th | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| 8th | 0.854 | 0.851 |
| 9th | 0.689 | 0.687 |
| 10th | 0.636 | 0.632 |
| Reverse | -4.866 | -4.695 |
Which Fluid Does Each Ford Transmission Use?
Ford says each transmission must use the fluid listed for its type and build year, that older owner guides may differ, and that you should not use transmission additives. These are the fluids on Ford’s Motorcraft fluid chart.
| Fluid | Ford part number | Used in (per Ford chart) |
|---|---|---|
| MERCON V | XT-5-QMC | 4R70W/4R70E (2007), 4R75W/E (2007–2008) and the 5R55/5R44E/4R44E family (2007–2011) |
| MERCON LV | XT-10-QLVC | 5R110 TorqShift (2007–2016), 6R80 (2009–2020), 6R140 (2011–2026), 4R75W/E (2009–2014), 6R100 (2017–2022), 6HP26 and 6R60/6R75 (2007–2008) |
| MERCON ULV | XT-12-QULV | 10R80 (2017–2026), 10R60/10R80 hybrid/10R140 (2020–2026), 10R100 (2023–2026) |
| Dual clutch fluid | XT-11-QDC | PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch transaxle (2011–2016 on Ford’s chart) |
| GT500 dual clutch fluid | XT-14-L | TR-9070 and TR-9080 dual-clutch transmissions |
Buy the fluid your transmission’s row lists. For 6-speed units such as the 6R80 and 6R140, that is Motorcraft MERCON LV (XT-10-QLVC). For older 4R70W, 4R75W/E and 5R55 units on MERCON V, a full refill is easier with a 12-quart case of Motorcraft MERCON V (XT-5-QMC). Ten-speed units take MERCON ULV (XT-12-QULV) only.
Never swap fluids between families. The 10R80 needs MERCON ULV, and the 6-speed families need MERCON LV. For product picks see our MERCON V fluid guide for older units.
Ford Manual Transmission Identification
| Transmission | Years | Key identifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Toploader 4-speed | 1964–1973 | Wide ratio 1st gear 2.78:1, close ratio 2.32:1. Second-gear tooth count is 31 (wide) or 28 (close). 10-spline input; 28-spline output, or 31 on 1968 and later big-block units |
| Borg-Warner T-5 | Mustang V8: 1983.5–1995 | World Class (WC) units take ATF, standard units take 50W gear oil. WC rated 300 lb-ft after about 1990. WC first gear 3.35–3.97:1 |
| Tremec TR-3650 | Mustang GT 2001–2010 | 5-speed that replaced the T-45 (used in 1999–2000 GTs) |
| Getrag MT-82 | Mustang GT from 2011 | 6-speed that replaced the TR-3650 |
Toploader and T-5 details come from Wikipedia’s Toploader and T-5 articles. The Toploader tag reads HEH or RUG depending on year. A common mix-up is the Tremec TR-9070: it is a dual-clutch automatic used in the Shelby GT500, not a manual. Ford’s fluid chart lists it as a DCT.
Transmission Tags, Casting Numbers and Date Codes
Classic Ford castings carry an engineering number and a date code. This is a restoration convention rather than a Ford customer guide, so use it to date a part, not to prove its application.
- Engineering number prefix. The first letter is the decade (B 1950s, C 1960s, D 1970s, E 1980s) and the next digit is the year, so C9AE reads 1969.
- Date code. A code such as 6M08 is year digit, month letter and day. Months run A through M and skip I, so M is December and 6M08 is December 8 of a year ending in 6.
- Design date is not build date. A part designed in 1965 can have been cast in 1967.
Bellhousing fit is a separate question. Wikipedia lists five C6 bellhousing patterns (Windsor, 460, FE, Lincoln MEL 462 and diesel). For a full pattern guide, see our Ford bellhousing bolt pattern guide.
Ford Transmission Identification FAQ
How do I identify my Ford transmission?
Check the window sticker or build sheet first, then the TR field on the driver’s door label, and confirm with the tag on the transmission case. Narrowing by model year, vehicle and engine usually leaves only one or two choices.
Can I find my Ford transmission by VIN?
Not directly. Position 8 of a Ford VIN identifies the engine, and modern Ford VINs do not carry transmission information. Use the VIN to pull the build record through a dealer, then confirm with the door label or case tag.
What does the TR code on the Ford door sticker mean?
The TR field names the transmission the vehicle was built with, but Ford publishes no public chart for its letters and numbers. Third-party lists disagree, so confirm the code with a Ford dealer or the Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-392-3673.
What transmission does my F-150 have?
Most F-150s from 2009 to 2017 used the 6R80 six-speed, and 2018 and newer trucks use the 10R80 ten-speed, except the 3.3L V6 which kept the 6R80 through 2020. The 2017 3.5L EcoBoost was the first F-150 with the 10R80.
What fluid does the Ford 10R80 use?
Ford’s Motorcraft fluid chart lists MERCON ULV, part number XT-12-QULV, for the 10R80 from 2017 on. The 6R80 uses MERCON LV, part number XT-10-QLVC.
What transmission is in a Super Duty?
The 6R140 TorqShift 6-speed arrived for the 2011 Super Duty. Ford’s 2025 Super Duty specs list the TorqShift 10R100 and 10R140 ten-speeds, and its fluid chart shows a MERCON ULV 10R140 column from 2020.
Is the Tremec TR-9070 a manual transmission?
No. The TR-9070 is a dual-clutch automatic used in the Shelby GT500, and Ford’s fluid chart lists it as a DCT using GT500 dual clutch fluid.
Where is the transmission tag on a Ford?
The tag or label is on the transmission case, and its position varies by model and year. If it is missing or unreadable, check the door label and build sheet, then use pan shape, casting numbers and a dealer lookup to confirm.
What fluid does the Ford 6R80 use?
Ford’s Motorcraft fluid chart lists MERCON LV, part number XT-10-QLVC, for the 6R80 from 2009 through 2020.
Can I identify a C4 or C6 by its pan?
Pan bolt counts are a quick clue on older units. Owner reports give 11 bolts for the C4 and 17 for the C6. Confirm with the case tag or casting number, because pans can be swapped.
Related Ford Drivetrain Guides
- What Transmission Do I Have in My F-150? — truck-specific answer
- F-150 Transmission Interchange Chart — swaps by year
- Ford Transmission Fluid Capacity Chart — how much fluid
- Ford 10R80 Transmission Problems — symptoms and fixes
- Ford Axle Code Chart — decode the axle code on the same label
- Ford Engine Oil Recommendation Chart — oil spec by engine
- Ford Factory Warranty — powertrain coverage for your transmission
Related Ford Transmission Guides
- Ford F-150 Transmission Interchange Chart By Year (2004–2026)
- Ford Transmission Fluid Capacity Chart (2005–2026)
- Ford 10-Speed Transmission Problems: 10R60, 10R80 & 10R140 Overview
- Ford 10R80 Transmission Problems: Symptoms, Causes and Fixes
- What Transmission Do I Have in My F-150?
- What Year Did The F-150 Get The 10-Speed Transmission?
5 Comments