3.55 Elect VS 3.31 Non-Limited Slip
#17
Just the rear.
Cut and past from Ford,
Max Trailer Tow Package includes:
• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear axle
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar
• Upgraded rear bumper
Heavy Duty Payload Package Includes:
• 3.73 Electronic-locking rear axle
• 9.75-inch gearset
• Upgraded springs and auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• XL: 17-inch Silver Steel Wheels
• XLT/LARIAT: 18-inch Silver Aluminum Wheels
Now, the Heavy Duty Payload Package forces you to get 3.73 gears and a 6.5' bed on a SuperCrew or an 8' bed on a SuperCab or Regular cab. For some reason, you can not get the center console either. But, if I remember right, you want the center seat and 6.5' bed anyway. Looks like the deal breaker on the Heavy Duty Payload Pkg for you are 3.73 gears.
The Max Trailer Tow forces you to get 3.55s, but includes the brake controller.
Cut and past from Ford,
Max Trailer Tow Package includes:
• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear axle
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar
• Upgraded rear bumper
Heavy Duty Payload Package Includes:
• 3.73 Electronic-locking rear axle
• 9.75-inch gearset
• Upgraded springs and auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• XL: 17-inch Silver Steel Wheels
• XLT/LARIAT: 18-inch Silver Aluminum Wheels
Now, the Heavy Duty Payload Package forces you to get 3.73 gears and a 6.5' bed on a SuperCrew or an 8' bed on a SuperCab or Regular cab. For some reason, you can not get the center console either. But, if I remember right, you want the center seat and 6.5' bed anyway. Looks like the deal breaker on the Heavy Duty Payload Pkg for you are 3.73 gears.
The Max Trailer Tow forces you to get 3.55s, but includes the brake controller.
#18
I may be wrong, but I think the larger wheels/tires does not increase the OD of the entire tire (IOW, larger wheels with shorter side walls). So other than the weight, there would be no change in the OD of the tire (leaving gearing the same).
#19
I wouldn't worry about having an 8.8" axle for towing. The 8.8" was a stout unit before 2015, and it's been substantially beefed up since then. Differential and axle failures have been few and far between for many years, I wouldn't worry about towing 10,000 lbs behind an 8.8".
Obviously the added torque of the 3.5L EcoBoost necessitates the larger axle, but I wouldn't let that be a reason for getting the larger engine.
Obviously the added torque of the 3.5L EcoBoost necessitates the larger axle, but I wouldn't let that be a reason for getting the larger engine.
#21
#22
#23
What are the advantages and disadvantages between these features. This will be my first 4x4. I understand the 3.55 gear will be better for towing (torque) and get less gas mileage but am I able to lock the rear axles with a push button on the electronic? Would this also be what you would want if you were stuck in the mud? I don't think I will tow more than 10k so I'm trying to understand if I should order the mid trailer tow package ($895 MSRP) instead of the Max tow ($1195 MSRP) and keep the standard 3.31 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Same questions about selecting a payload package.
3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio
3.31 Non-Limited Slip Axle Ratio
3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio
3.31 Non-Limited Slip Axle Ratio
#24
My '13 had 3.73s and never came close to the fuel economy everyone else could get. That thing was barely capable of hitting 20 MPGs on a good day at 65 MPH. The trend I always saw in the previous gen forum was that those with 3.15s and 3.31s always reported the best mileage figures.
#25
If that were true they would all come with steeper gears.
My '13 had 3.73s and never came close to the fuel economy everyone else could get. That thing was barely capable of hitting 20 MPGs on a good day at 65 MPH. The trend I always saw in the previous gen forum was that those with 3.15s and 3.31s always reported the best mileage figures.
My '13 had 3.73s and never came close to the fuel economy everyone else could get. That thing was barely capable of hitting 20 MPGs on a good day at 65 MPH. The trend I always saw in the previous gen forum was that those with 3.15s and 3.31s always reported the best mileage figures.
#26
For reference here. High gears are numerically lower. 3.31 is higher than 3.55 and 3.55 is higher than 3.73, which are the lowest ratio gears available on an F150 at this time. This is always a point of confusion when people are talking high gears vs low gears.
High gears, better highway mileage. Low gears, better in town/stop and go mileage, better for hilly terrain, generally better for towing especially as the load or drag increases.
#27
For reference here. High gears are numerically lower. 3.31 is higher than 3.55 and 3.55 is higher than 3.73, which are the lowest ratio gears available on an F150 at this time. This is always a point of confusion when people are talking high gears vs low gears.
High gears, better highway mileage. Low gears, better in town/stop and go mileage, better for hilly terrain, generally better for towing especially as the load or drag increases.
High gears, better highway mileage. Low gears, better in town/stop and go mileage, better for hilly terrain, generally better for towing especially as the load or drag increases.
I sometimes refer to the lower (numerical) as "taller", but I may be old school.
IOW 3.31 is a taller gear than 3.55.
#29
False. If that was the case, we'd all be driving around in semi-tractors with 15-liter turbodiesel motors. It's *always* a compromise... you just have to pick the right compromise for your needs.
#30
Lots of folks buy significantly more truck than they need under that justification. We see lots of folk in the Super Duty forum who buy one to pull a 6,000 lb trailer. If that's what makes them happy they should go for it.
The only thing that makes the Max Tow package really necessary for some is the upgraded hitch. I wish all models got the same hitch, but the base one is rated for almost the same rating.
The only thing that makes the Max Tow package really necessary for some is the upgraded hitch. I wish all models got the same hitch, but the base one is rated for almost the same rating.