I repeat, even you create a new number range and recreate the equipments, your '0' prefix to equipment number is not possible.
Even if you compromise to this prefix, the transactions done so far will not be transferred easily. You have to make a BDC program to upload.
If you use LSMW, you need to put your old number in the TechId of new equipment master.
So, the Tech Id route, is the only solution for your issue.
Jogeswara Rao K
