2011 F-150 Selection Help
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2011 F-150 Selection Help
Hello,
I am considering the purchase of a 2011 F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 with the 5.0 engine. I do not tow except occasionally, and same with heavy loads. I live in western PA, where we have hills. My driving is perhaps 60/40 highway/city. I am trying to figure out how much fuel economy I would sacrifice with the 3.73 gears over the 3.55. My sense is that the 3.55 is sufficient for my mission, but I might get some extra pull (and capability should my tow/haul behavior increase) with the 3.73--but I don't want to take a big hit in fuel economy since I do spend at least 50-60% of my time on the highway (sometimes more).
Any thoughts/direction would be appreciated.
Thanks,
JKG
I am considering the purchase of a 2011 F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 with the 5.0 engine. I do not tow except occasionally, and same with heavy loads. I live in western PA, where we have hills. My driving is perhaps 60/40 highway/city. I am trying to figure out how much fuel economy I would sacrifice with the 3.73 gears over the 3.55. My sense is that the 3.55 is sufficient for my mission, but I might get some extra pull (and capability should my tow/haul behavior increase) with the 3.73--but I don't want to take a big hit in fuel economy since I do spend at least 50-60% of my time on the highway (sometimes more).
Any thoughts/direction would be appreciated.
Thanks,
JKG
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 4
From: Denver, Co
3.55 to 3.73 is really a pretty minor gearing change. By the math it is a smidgen over 5% change in effective gear ratio.
To put it into something that you can visualize, the driveshaft will rotate insert gear size rotations to turn the rear tire one turn. Hence, there is less than a 1/4 turn difference at the driveshaft for each rotation of the tires.
In real life, I doubt you would notice the difference in fuel economy. Even if you had two identical trucks with the gears being the only difference, they would very likely be within one or two tenths of a mile per gallon. Only if you towed or hauled large loads on a frequent basis would the true benefit(s) in the lower gears start to become evident.
To add a bit of perspective, I opted for 4.10 gears over the standard 3.73 gears in my '09 F-350. That is almost a 10% change in effective gearing, or almost double the change you are contemplating. Even with this change, I am still well within average fuel economy numbers reported by other members here on FTE. And, like you, I am generally driving around unloaded; the gears were bought for when I can buy my boat and/or travel trailer.
Edit: Fixed some grammar errors. I blame the distinct lack of caffeine. Back to the coffee pot I go!!!
To put it into something that you can visualize, the driveshaft will rotate insert gear size rotations to turn the rear tire one turn. Hence, there is less than a 1/4 turn difference at the driveshaft for each rotation of the tires.
In real life, I doubt you would notice the difference in fuel economy. Even if you had two identical trucks with the gears being the only difference, they would very likely be within one or two tenths of a mile per gallon. Only if you towed or hauled large loads on a frequent basis would the true benefit(s) in the lower gears start to become evident.
To add a bit of perspective, I opted for 4.10 gears over the standard 3.73 gears in my '09 F-350. That is almost a 10% change in effective gearing, or almost double the change you are contemplating. Even with this change, I am still well within average fuel economy numbers reported by other members here on FTE. And, like you, I am generally driving around unloaded; the gears were bought for when I can buy my boat and/or travel trailer.
Edit: Fixed some grammar errors. I blame the distinct lack of caffeine. Back to the coffee pot I go!!!
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