Technical gearbox code / replacement help

[MCA Sports]

Hi all.

I have a 1995 Fiat Ducato 14 2.5 Turbo Diesel.
5th gear has stopped working and am looking for a 2nd hand gearbox. This is proving to be a problem...
seems there is quite a few different ones.
I have found that there is a 6 digit gerbox code for them.
that looks like this:
20 - then 2 letters - then 2 numbers
stamped on the box.
i.e. ours says:
20KM20
2 questions.
1stly where to look -I have been trying scrappers and stuff, and because of all the different types, no-one is happy to send me one that might fit - obviously! Only a couple of places that do recon one for £550 + that can.
secondly - if i can decode the numbers maybe i can find others fits.
for instance I found a gearbox with 20KM28 on it. If I knew how the codes worked maybe this would fit? i.e. the numbers at the end maybe ratio or something, but that wouldnt stop it fitting, and would be acceptable.
any help appreciated. This is a working van ( the only one) for our business, without it we are stuffed!
Thanks all.
Mike

 

[Oldsckooler]

I have exactly the same problem with my gearbox in a 96 2.5tdi Ducato
did you ever find out what the numbers mean?

cheers
emrys

 

[MCA Sports]

havnt yet matey.
no-one on here has replied as yet. and googling is of no assistance.
using the van as a 4 speed on the hope it doesnt get any worse.
Can get the 5th gear fixed by a company - but the parts come from Fiat only, so although there labour is cheap the total cost is near enuf £500 before fitting. Or I can get a second hand so called recon for £500 plus fitting again.
there must be boxes out there at the scrappers but few are prepared to go look for the numbers... Someone told me to try motohome specialist breakers as my Van is a ducato 13 which has a Luton on it, but is the same chassis as used for the majority of motorhomes. so thats my next port of call.

 

[Oldsckooler]

hi
visited a guy at a realy good citroen garage las night, that i know from a few years ago
he said it should'nt cost much more that £170 for the parts to replace the 5th gear assembly. and the job should be an easy enough job to do myself.
just need to get the 5th gear assembly cover some time and check which part are exactly worn/knackered.
have you done this or got a garage to take a look inside?
emrys