Hi Everyone, I'm new to this site and to Ford. I use my truck primarily for hauling an 18ft. car trailer. I traded in my 95 Chevy 1500 with 191k for a 99 Ford F250 v10 with 77k.

My Ford was made 2/99. 3.73 gears, 235/85/16, 5 speed manual,4x4, X cab, long bed

The F250 seems to sit pretty low. Is this because it is an early 99???? Other 250's I've seen seem to sit higher.

I'm planning on a 4" lift with 35's would 4.30 gears be OK or is there a better choice? What lift and gears does everyone run?

The v10 doesn't seem to have the power I thought it should.....This is the only v10 I have drove though so I have nothing to compare it to

Thanks, Chris

 

I sold my '99 last fall after many years.
The leaf sprung (front) SD's do sit lower than the later versions but they are cheaper and easier to lift.
The '99 has less power than the later V10's. It also has less gearing in the trans.
My '99 had 4.30's which IMO is the only gear set for the older trucks. The 3.73 trucks feel anemic compared to a 4.30 truck. And there is no milage penalty.
The older trucks are better on fuel than the newer trucks and I've seen some real bargains out there.
I would go 4.56 with 35's.

 

as Rico said 4:56 gears for 35"s..

if your even remotely thinking of larger tires later just jump strait to 4:88s now.

 

Thanks guys, 4.56 with 35's.

I plan on changing my plugs. Is it best to stick with motorcraft plugs?

I also noticed I have 1 exhaust manifold bolt broke off on the pass. side and 2 on the driverside. Should this just be fixed now? Would putting Banks headers with new bolts make this not be a problem again?

I also notice a noise coming from the bell housing, I think? It sounds kinda like the fan hitting the fan shroud but from the bell housing...... Has anyone else had this problem?

 

headers with bolts seems the way to go for a long time fix..

replacing teh studs with OEM exhaust studs just seem to rebreak down the road.. personaly i think the studs are simply to thin.

as for plugs yes def. go OEM... everyone here swears by em..

 

I did the manifold studs on my '99 after nearly all had rotted off. Put aside a weekend for the job so you aren't married to your truck all day.
OEM plugs are the best. Lots of great threads on changing them properly.

 

If you plan on towing anything even remotely heavy, just right to 4.88 with 35" tires. My towing mpg increased by 50% or more. (5.5mpg to 8.6 towing 11k).

Headers help with power a bit, as does test piping it. I have a cat back exhaust simply because my tail pipe was damaged but you can get just a good muffler to increase efficiency a bit.

 

Regarding the noise from the bell housing, I have the same noise and think I know what it is now that I have my engine out. There is a thin plate between the trans and the block. The thin plate has a half moon wear spot on it which looks like it was rubbing against the flywheel or something. Now that I have the plate out, I think I may just grind off the area that is rubbing after I check it out some more.