I'm getting ready to buy/order an 04' F250 crew cab, short box, with a V-10. I plan to put on a 4.5" or 5.5" lift and 35's this summer. Truck will be driven mostly around town, ocassionally off-road, and rarely on the highway. Hope to get a boat in 2-3 years and would tow short distances less than 10 times/year. I'm not real concerned about gas mileage.

I'm leaning towards ordering the 4.30 gears.....considering my situation is this a good idea? I hate having to change things that I could have done right the first time.

Thanks

 

I have this setup and love it for around town. Quick launches from stoplights and passes easily. I don't have a lift (yet), so others will prob. comments on these gears and lifts. From what I read, you cannot go wrong with 4.30's for lifted trucks. When I special ordered my truck a few years ago the 4.3 LS option was $335.00 list. No brainer.

 

Thanks Bob, that's what I was hoping to hear.

By the way, my wife and I both went to Jacksonville University about 10 years ago. What part of town do you live in?

Hitch

 

This is my second V-10 with 4.30's, take my word don't buy a truck without them. If you tow at all, 4.30's will allow you to tow(with stock hieght tires) in OD closer to the powerband the V-10 likes.
Now that I have lifted my truck with larger tires, towing HEAVY(in OD) is only possible on flat surfaces, up any grade requires drive. I think towing in the 5000lbs range would allow OD to be used more often. My current gear ratio with the new tire is about 3.91.

 

Sure. Just get 'em - you'll be happy.


I am out at the beach. Been here about 4.5 years from So. FL. Lovin it.

 

I looked extensively to find the XLT truck I have with a V10 and 4.30 LSD rear. I knew I was going to lift and add 35" tires before buying so the 4.30 rear was a must. I also did not want any body cladding or two tone trim so an XLT Premium was the truck to buy in 2000 to get all the good stuff without the bling bling.

The 4.30 gears are absolutely perfect for 33's and do great with 35's. I personally would not own a Superduty without 4.30 gears, which is part of the reason I passed on a diesel among many others including noise, cost, smell and quick acceleration. You cannot get a diesel with 4.30 gears.

 

Knowing I planned on running 35" tires, 4.30's were a no brainer for $350 MSRP. I have never regretted it either. V10's were meant to pull the lower gears. Only mistake I made was not getting the snow plow package. Would have liked the additional front end height.

 

I have an 04' F-350, V-10, 6-speed, DRW, with the 4:30 LS, This morning I was called up to go plow snow with it, I plowed for 6.5 hrs with it and used 1/4 tank of gas ! I dont think that is bad at all, my 99' PSD used that much,,,,I really like this set-up, I suppose the auto would be easier on the left leg, but my last truck (PSD auto) although I never really had motor or tranny troubles,, the auto just seemed to almost have a mind of its own, shifting down to easily, not up shifting when you think it should, and rather sluggish when pulling my trailer sometimes. I like the 6-speed,the V-10 power, seems to be a great combo.

Later,,,,,,,,,,Mark

 

I highly recommend 4.30 gears. A friend of mine has 3.73's with a V10 and his truck is noticeably "slower" when loaded, and his gas mileage is no better than mine when unloaded.

If I were going to order another truck, I would get the 4.30's but not waste my money on Fords POS Limited Slip. Use the money you save to go toward a LockRight or Detroit or Auburn or something, because the factory LS is garbage.