I want more accleration without a huge loss in gas milage and someone told me to go with 3.55 another guy told me to go with 3.73 I am using an auto w/od trans does anyone have anysuggestions???
:-staun

 

What size tire? The 3.55 and 3.73 won't change much for highway RPMs, I think its only a couple hundred. Do you drive mostly on the highway or in the city?


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Jul-02 AT 08:08 PM (EST)]i am using a ford 8.8 rearend and i go to college and its a 3 hour drive so i would like mild performance and give up as little as i could on the gas miliage. The tires are 18's they are 295/45/18 tires on them i used to have the factory bullet holes and these tires have a smaller circ. and i know that lowers the ratio.I just want a mild (somthing that i will feel) performance in the accleration but not give up all my gas. The one guy that told me to go with 3.73 said that his freind has a truck like mine and he only rums about 2100 rpms. What about 4.10 or would that eat up to much gas?????

 

That aspect ratio works out to 28.5 inches diameter which is almost stock. You need to look down the road and decide on whether or not you will be doing any upgrades ie Lift Bigger Tires. For 33's or bigger 4.10's are usally the r/p of choice. If you plan on going up to 31's 3.73 would be best.

WHaynes

 

4.10s on the highway with a 28" tire would make the engine spin very fast and be bad on gas. You're going to have to give up some of the gas mileage for the extra performance. The more performance the less gas mileage (only talking about this subject of gears). If you have a 4x4 truck, you need both gears to be changed. If you have 3.08s, I think you will want to have a 3.55. If you get a 3.73 I think you're going to be running to high of RPMs on the highway. I usually travel about 75 and I was getting between 2800-3k with 3.55s on 29" tires. I think 3.73 is too high for that size tire for decent gas mileage on the highway. However, if you are going to get a larger diameter tire up to 32-33" range in the future, then you should think about the 3.73 or 4.10s. So if you are staying with 28" tires, than i'd recommend the 3.55s. If you want a larger tire than a 32, think about getting 3.73s or lower 4.10s(numerically higher number, but its a "lower" gear).


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!

 

thanks alot i think ill go with 3.55 cause its only two wheel drive and it has a 3 and 5 inch drop so i dont plan on intalling 33's I just love to race and eat up the little rice bunners cause it makes them mad when a big old american truck that ways at least 2 times what they do leaves them in the dust and eating my not legal emmissions.

 

Well in that case you're going to have to look at the pros and cons. 3.55s won't do a miracle for you, but it will give you a good mix between the gas mileage you want and some of the acceleration you want. If you need that acceleration and can do with 2-3 mpg less on the highway, along with an engine that will wear out faster from spinning faster, go wtih the 3.73. I can't make the decision for you, but I can help inform you on making the right one.



Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!

 

Thinking again, with 28" tires 3.73s would spin pretty fast on the highway and I don't think you'll want that, so my recommendation is the 3.55s as I said before.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!