Hey guys. Iv been browsing the forum and have found out the #1 gain for a V10 is a gear swap. Iv owned a few trucks with 4.10 gears and they absolutely SCREAM on the interstate. This has me worried as I do a fair share of highway/interstate driving and dropping my gears to 4.30 will raise my RPMs even more! I guess basically Id like to hear some real world feedback from some of you guys with 4.30 gears. Hows it do empty? Hows it do towing? Did your MPGs change? Also, Iv seen some of you run a 4.56 gear. Is this beneficial or will it be way to low for me? My truck is a daily driver.

This has me quite excited as a gear swap is a relatively cheap option!

Also, my truck is stock except a cold air intake that was on the truck when I bought it... Judging by my 10 mpg it does little

 

You don't mention what gear you have now, but I assume it is a 3.73. I also don't know what you mean about "scream" but at 70MPH you'll see about a 400 RPM increase. I was less than impressed with my 4.30's but it is what it is and I'm not changing again. My around town driving mileage is the same, I have not run it on the hwy without towing so I don't know how that has been affected.

Here's a recent related thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-56-gears.html

 

Lots of good info there. Lots of arguing too... A few guys would say a gear swap made all the difference and a few said it didn't do anything for them...

 

I purchased a 1999 F-250 V-10 that originally had 3.73 gears. When I upgraded to a heavier fifth-wheel I swapped those out for 4.30's. Made a huge difference towing. Stayed in overdrive longer and didn't hunt gears as much. I actually got better mileage towing with the 4.30's than I did with the original gears. Empty I may have lost 1/2 mpg but I doubt even that much. The truck just ran better with the new gears.

Fast forward to 2010. I ordered a new F-350 V-10 since it was the last model year it was going to be available. Got the 4.30 gears without even a second thought. I now tow a very heavy fifth wheel (nearly 15,000 pounds) and it tows great.

Mark

 

El Camino if your unsure about a gear swap as your V10 has the most available hp have you ever thought of a y pipe change? 5 star tuning which is a site sponsor sells them and the 2000-2004 has the most restrictive pipe. It will be quite a bit cheaper and may be just what your looking for.

Regarding the gear swap do you have a factory limited slip and what ratio is currently in there?

 

They actually still offer the V10, but its just on the cab n chassis... My buddy drives a 2013/14 (don't remember) with the V10 in the oil fields

And I just checked my gears today. According to the code sticker, its a 3.73 LS. I also have a 5th wheel (although not as heafty @ 8000 lbsish). I actually haven't used my truck to tow it yet but from what everyone says, swapping gears makes for a whole new animal. Im not much to shy away from more power

I looked up the price of new gears.... my butt puckered up a bit... Doing just the rear wouldn't be so bad but being 4wd, id have to do both axles. Iv looked up some headers and y-pipe combos and their a more "affordable" option. I may get bored one of these days and weld in my own y-pipe. Ought to be good for a handful of ponies!

 

I've not done the Y-pipe swap myself so perhaps others who have will chime in.

From what I've read regarding the Y-pipe swap, the end result is a rather terrible sounding exhaust. Seems most who've done it end up also installing a after market muffler (Flowmaster 50 series?) to quell the "loud V6 sound". And then there's also the potential flutter that some report with Y-pipe...

 

Depending on your location, check the boneyards for used front / rear axles. I paid $350 for the rear end which is much cheaper then having new gears installed.

 

Whew Id say! The gears themselves were about $250, and that's not including the install kit lol.