Hi,
I used to be common around here (in the Ranger Forums at least), but after I flipped '02 Ranger I stopped hanging around.
I just bought a '97 F150 4.6, 3.08 rear from my brother (he needed the cash, I kinda needed a truck). I am planning on using it to tow a travel trailer (which I am still shopping for), but it has a towing capacity of 5500lbs. The same truck with a 3.55 rear can tow 6500. Would getting that extra 1000lbs out of it just be a matter of swapping out the diff or is there more to it?

Also, this is for a hunting camp, so odds are I will be towing it less than 100 miles a year.

Thanks for the help.

 

I am in the process of of increasing the capabilities of my 99 as well. My research has led me to lower gears, increased cooling, and tires. Swap gears or swap rearends (3.08 is about as bad as it gets), install a rad and fan clutch from a truck with the tow package, tranny cooler, and finally, higher rated LT tires.

All of this being said, none of these things will LEGALLY change your towing capacity.