Howdy,

One of the folks over in the Super Duty forum sent me this way...

I have a 2003 F350 Super Duty Crewcab 4x4 with a 3.73 gear ratio. (6.8L V10), Automatic Transmission, stock (31") tires. Would like to change it to 4.30 or 4.56 gear ratio for purposes of towing/ease of towing a trailer in the 9000# range. Mine since it was new, so know no other work has been done on it.

Does great right now, mostly, but the 3.73 bogs the engine a bit to much for my liking hill climbing/descending. Truck still at less than 30,000 miles. And U-joint may be giving me some excess noise when it drops into gear.

BUT, who/where to get the work done? And a ball park figure?

Live in Mesa.

Thanks;
Daniel

 

Hi Daniel, Helifixer will know where to send you.

he knows a lot of places in the valley that do good work.

 

Thanks, SGnAZ posted on my other thread also, but wanting more than one Quote per say.

*Waits*

 

first call Nate at strictly diesel tell him Bart "Diamond K" in Chino Valley sent you.

Diesel Engine Repair Scottsdale Arizona, Cummins Diesel

also call Arizona Differential

AZ Differential - Home

 

Thanks! Will do.

 

Well, got 2 estimates today, and not even near each other price wise.

One for $650 an axle and one for $900 an axle.

$650 an axle from AZ Differential

$900 an axle from Strictly Diesel

And Strictly Diesel also said possibly needing a new "carrier" also?

That is $500.00 difference in the 2. 28% difference.

Have not looked into the details of either, just up front quotes, but didn't look for them to be THIS far apart.

 

No replies back from either on price breakdowns. Will keep on looking I guess.

 

Check out SuperDuty Headquarters in Gilbert (they were off of Baseline last I remember). They've done work on my truck in the past when I lived in AZ and did a great job.

$650/axle sounds like a smokin' deal for gears. Everywhere I've ever looked, it's always been around $1000.

 

They moved to 1720 W. Elliot RD #101 in Gilbert, AZ 85233.

Superduty HQ - Home of SDHQ Offroad Racing

 

Thanks! Got another estimate today at $925 an axle. Beginning to wonder if the $650.00 an axle was TOOO good. Like, maybe they didn't have the install kits included or something. Will Check out SuperDuty HQ next. Could be a labor rate difference also.

 

My neighbor has a Jeep with F250 axles and he recommends this shop.

S&S Custom Off-Road
578 Miller Valley Road Suite #D
Prescott, AZ 86301
1 (928) 771-9292

Ask for Shane

 

Appreciate the post. Thanks.

 

SgtDan, I had AZ Diff Specialists do my truck about 3 years ago. They did a good job for me. At that time, if I remember right, they charged me about $1150 for both axles on my 99. Their price at $650 per axle would sound about right for them doing the job.
Check to see what kind of gears the more expensive places are using. If their using more expensive gears because they are stronger, it might be worth the difference.
I had 4:11 gears put in mine. I pulled a 24' Haulmark(AKA heavy SOB) enclosed trailer that was loaded pretty heavy over 4,000 miles that summer after the gears were installed. With the 4:11 gears, I could pull any hill at a minimum of 65mph, even over the continental divide. The only thing that would slow it done was the egt's would get too high and I would have to back out of the throttle.
I mentioned this because I think you might be making a mistake with the 4:30 gears unless you are putting super tall tires on it. Mine measure at 33".
I hope that this helps.

Kevin