Hey guys. Iv got.. well... read my sig lol. Its sportin some 3.55s which, I wont disagree, havent let me down yet. After pullin a trailer and runnin in our local dirt drag races has left me wonderin if 4.10s would better suit my needs. I get a good 11 mpg with my current set-up which definitly isnt bad since Im runnin that mighty 460. How will 4.10s effect my low-end and mpg?

 

For pulling a trailer, 4.10's would be the way to go with an E4OD.

 

I have 3.55's in my '90 F250 460/c6. It did about as well as I could expect of a 20+ year old truck. If money allowed I'd probably drop down to a 4.56 and put in a gear vendors OD but it would probably cost about as much as a diesel swap. The 460 is a gas hog no matter what so going down to 4.10s will give you more grunt without a big hit at the pump.

 

I went from 3.55 to 4.10's in my 1990 F250 / 460 / E4OD / 2wd / regular cab. It is absolutly stock in the running gear department right down to the proper offset factory rims, set up to haul / tow as much as possible. And I do use it to maximum rated capacity.

It got about 8 mpg before, and it still gets about 8 mpg but does pull better. It also has helped with "compression" braking. I would not go back to 3.55's

My use for the truck is well, what truck is made for, hauling and towing. It has a 900 lb dump bed insert, and well, it is NOT used as a commuter, so my milage reflects its true "truck" use as well as that constant 900lb load.

Just my take on things. David

 

With the lower gear ratio it's easier for the truck to get moving so that might balance out the lack of top-end. Plus, like I said before, the 460 is just a plain gas hog. The old-timers I've talked to that had the old carb'd trucks said the nice thing is it'll get 8mpg all the time no matter what. going empty down hill or dragging a house with a headwind it stays the same.

 

^^^ Mines the same lol. I can rod the hell out of it and it MAY get low 10s (like 10.4 compared to about 10.8... I round my gas mileage lol).

Well its sure soundin like 4.10s are better all around lol. I dont plan on goin 140 mph so the top end part really doesnt bother me. Im more into utelizing that massive grunt of the 460!

 

I won't argue that 4.10s will improve the trucks pulling power, but the only reason you didn't completely dust the whole field at those drag races is because your 4wd wasn't working, so manual hubs and a thouough once-over of the whole front end to ensure everything is in top working order should be #1 on your list.

 

I'd say if you're going to tow often, get the 4.10 gears. I'm in the same boat with 3.55 and I've never not been able to pull a load, but it takes a while to get going sometimes. A work truck I drove ('88, 460, c6) seemed to run like a raped ape with a load behind it in comparison. I can't comment on mileage since it had no OD and it had more than a few of it's own engine issues which caused unusually low fuel mileage, usually 5-7 mpg unloaded.

 

I was talkin to the guy that worked on my tranny and we both had the same ideas essentially. I need to swap in a posi, possibly a locker up front, get my 4WD workin, and he didnt disagree with the idea of some 4.10s lol. Maybe even a cam upgrade but thats a lotta work lol

 

A locker in the front will only ensure both tires are turning if the 4wd is engaged. Make a big difference off road but if you use your truck in winter you will hate it because it will make it very hard to steer. A selectable locker would be better if you get snow and ice on the roads.

 

Selectable lockers are expensive though lol. I just looked up some air lockers... $1100 front and $1100 for the back. I dont even think that included the on-board compressor and such

 

No argument here, it's not cheap. I'd look at an electric unit so then you don't have to spring for air too. It's only neccisary if you use the truck on slick pavement in 4wd. If the front tires are locked together the truck won't want to turn. Of course a front locker is only needed if you like to push it hard off road.

 

Yea, Id basically be spending about $800 for a locker up front that Id use probably once a year at the drags and possibly when it snows and im on the highway lol. But it would be cool if I decide to build my 460 a little and burn all 4 tires