Improvement in what? Acceleration? Yes. Towing ability? Probably. Fuel economy? maybe but not likely. Economy will depend on if the ratio selected puts the engine in it's efficient operating range the way the vehicle is being driven. IE a low numerical gear could be better for a primarily highway driven vehicle. But a higher numerical ratio may be better for an around town beater.

So when are you going to start wrenching on this thing?

 

Well, i'm starting my new job tomarrow, so i'm going to start purchasing the parts soon. First on my list is a new ignition and exhaust including the headers.

 

That and i have a leak in my bottom RAD hose and my intake manifold.

 

Congrats on the job. Don't let the truck take all your money. Fix whats broke for now and get a base line on your current mpg. Take it from there.

 

Yeah, my money is pretty tied up, new-old Honda C70, Motorcycle payments, Credit card payments, saving for trip to Austrialia, new longboard, PLUS readying the truck for winter.

 

Ok, so i'm thinking when i install this 5speed, i'll get my transfer case installed at the same time so i don't have to worry about drivesafts for the back rear again. Question is, how negativly will a strait axel up front and a new transfer case affect my fuel milage? i know that it would be a good chuck of weight to add, but i really need that FWD for the winter (i'm going with a twin stick case so i can run in FWD with autolockers in the winter).

 

Yes it would way more, but that's not something that'll keep your from getting good mpgs. I'd say minus .5 mpgs at the most b/c of the added weight.

 

Is that also to say that a fiberglass hood and fenders will only add about .5mpg?

 

to be perfectly honest I thing weight is the least of our problems, for example my E-350 gets 8mpg hyway,city, empty or towing my bobcat. I think the most important things are engine trans and rear gears and wind resistance.

 

Good to know. What are some suggestions for a good rear gear for a 5 speed city/highway truck that sees a little towing.

 

With a 5 speed the stock 3.50 gear would actually be pretty good. What size tire do you plan on running? I wouldn't go any lower than 3.07 for sure, they do have a 3.30 or so gear that might be good too.

 

I have a 2.75 in my rear (axle code 06).

 

Well if your going to be converting it to 4wd, then most likely you'll put a D44 w/3.50 gears so you would need to regear either the front or the back, I'd say the back would be your best option with about 28-31" tires.

 

Got me, 'm new to the MPG game, I've never really cared before so I haven't done any experimenting. What I can tell you is nobody can give you the exact answer. There are too many factors, your driving technique itself will make your mileage differ from mine in the identical truck. I think the best you can do is work with people that have already done it and see how they did. Then take a guess and buy some gears.

the whole thing with me looking for 3.55's is because I talked to a guy with this setup that was getting 14 highway towing a 30 foot travel trailer, so it sound like a good place to start for me, but if your running light, you can go higher, you may even find out the 2.75's you have are the best bet for you.

If you change them at all, I wouldn't go too far, I'd try 3.00 if I were you.

I don't know where you are, but if your close, I have a set of 3.50's out of a 9" 83 Bronco in my shop you could borrow if you want to experiment. I'm also running a 9" in my 70 Mustang that has 3.00's

 

If your planning on wheeling and towning some, I wouldn't go any lower than 3.07, which would meen all you need to regear is the front. If you went with 2.75 you'd have 0 power: going up hills with out down shifting your 5 speed, trying to go through any snow, or towing anything. That's why I sugested 3.50 gears, but if your running 26-28" tires then 3.07 gears should work for what you want to do.