Please read post 184. The SO & VIN sequence are 2 different animals. Anyone telling you they can tie the 2 together without the proper docs is just blowing smoke.
You are correct. The man at the Detroit office said they were two completely monsters. Am working with him directly to get this mess straightened out. We finally have a pretty weekend where I can pull the RR out and looks for the numbers. Am going to try to see the # on transmission housing as well.
