I'm looking at getting rid of my 2011 F250 diesel and getting a new 2013-14 250 or 350 6.2 L gas version of the same truck. What axle ratio should I get 3.55, 3.73 or 4.30? I know fuel economy will not be good regardless but I would like the best combo possible. I tow occasionally. Have there been any major problems with this powertrain?

 

Sorry to post this. I just noticed the 3.73 vs 4.30 thread. Not sure how to delete.

 

More info needed. How much weight, how often do you tow? What kind of terrain towing (Mountains, hills, mostly flat etc). Will you daily commute in this truck? If so, how far. How about future plans? Bigger trailer, or 5th wheel in the future possible? No matter what, I wouldn't get less than the 3:73's, but that's just me. I don't commute in my truck. I don't actually have one yet I'm just trying to help so some of those on here that do can give you better advise. For myself, if I end up ordering one I'll have the 4:30's. better towing/hauling performance for what some on this forum have said is not much worse mileage. Hope that helps. Good luck,

 

10,400 lbs. maybe 4 times a year. Mostly flat but a lot of head wind which is like towing up a hill. It will be a daily driver 11 miles one way. No plans for anything bigger but would like room for expansion if needed.

 

I'm thinkin with that trailer your solidly in the 4:30 territory. You never know, you might take a longer road trip some time. That short of a commute isn't going to kil you if the mileage is a little worse. Some say the mileage around town is actually better with them over the 3:73, and if your not a lead foot isn't that much worse on the highway. I'll tell you again that I don't speak from actual experience as I don't have one (Yet), but I will within a few months, and from what I've read over the last year, everyone who ordered the 4:30's does not regret it. If can have the patience to order one like I want it, that's what it will have.

Out of curiosity, why are thinking of dropping the diesel?

 

Potential out of pocket cost if it has a common rail failure or another expensive repair that Ford decides not to cover. Lower maintenance costs and fewer fluids to deal with.

 

There are threads posted at a couple of sites I have been that showed the engine R's and speeds in the gears.

I have a 2012 with 4.30. It does fine with the 11.5K fifth wheel.

However if I had it to do over, I probably would have gone with the 3.73 and towed in 5th - amounts to about the same thing but I would have had the 3.73 for cruising.

 

The only choice for me would be the 4.30 ratio. I have 2 V10 F350s and both have the 4.30. I have a new F250 on order with the 4.30. With the 4.30 you can still travel 75 or 80 and at very low rpms for a gas motor. When towing a large load, these engines would do a better job with a 4.56, 4.88 or even 5.13. Gas millage will probably be better with the 4.30 anyway, just slow down a little. Alway get the lowest gear ratio ford offers and you are better off. We have a 12 expedition, the forth expy we have had. The first three all had 3.73 gears. Dealer talked me into ordering the 12 with the 3.30 ratio, because we don't tow with it. It is a dog compared to the first three. And gets the worst millage of them all. We love it, but the gear ratio sucks. It always seems to be lugging and downshifts way more on the highway. So even if you just haul a bag of groceries home from Wally World, get the 4.30, you will be glad you did. I would not even look at 3.73 geared truck with a gas engine. We also have a Shelby Raptor on order. It will be the 4.10 ratio, the only one offered, with a supercharged 575 HP 6.2 Ford engine. Should pull allright.

 

When I had my V10s I consistently got better mileage with my 4.30 gears over others that had the 3.73 gears pulling or empty so when I ordered our 6.2 it was a no brainer to go with the 4.30 gears.

Denny

 

How does the 6.2 pull compared to the V10? And I take it you had the two valve V10, or did you ever have a three?

 

I had a 2V V10 and our truck only has 200 miles on it so I haven't pulled anything but my 16 ft enclosed trailer with it so far.

Denny

 

Get the 430 gears. I have both a 6.2 and a 3v v10. The v10 pulls harder off the line and the 6.2 outdoes the v10 at hwy speed passing. Not by much either way. My v10 has 4.10 and the 6.2 has 4.30 gears. Mileage is the same at 15 hwy in both. I have an intake and exhaust on the 6.2 which didnt make a noticable differance aside of the cool sound. I am not sure which motor I prefer.

 

I've ordered a F350 with the 4.30 rear, I just thought it was better to have more truck, I don't do lots of miles, and if we do, the travel trailer will be hooked up so I hope to see the benefit then.

 

I think you made the right choice. I guess you saw my other post comparing the two. The short answer for me is that the 4.30 wins ... if you tow enough to care about acceleration performance and you don't do lots of unloaded highway miles.

If you do care about highway unloaded mileage, 3.73 is better and as has been mentioned, 3.73 in 5th essentially equals 4.30 in 6th for steady state running on the highway so you don't lose really anything in towing highway cruising.

I have a similar commute and towing situation and the 4.30 is what I'll be looking for when the time comes.

 

I'm leaning toward a 4.30, but if towing in 5th with a 3.73 is the same as 6th with a 4.30 then why not go with a 3.73 so you would get a bit better economy unloaded as I would think that most people who get a gas version don't tow all that often anyway otherwise they would opt for the diesel?