Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear end going, do front too?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2011 | 09:05 PM
  #1  
fordboy67's Avatar
fordboy67
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rear end going, do front too?

Just got home from a little trip to Lake Superior. My rear end has been making noise for a few months (I don't drive it very often when not camping). During the trip, it seems to have gotten worse. My question is, since I have always wanted to upgrade to the 4.30s, should I regear the rearend to 4.30s and do the front to match, even though there is no problem, or just stick with the stock 3.73s and only do the rear? Money is somewhat of an issue as it's the holidays and I do need new tires SOON! Thanks in advance for all your opinions!
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2011 | 10:17 PM
  #2  
housedad's Avatar
housedad
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
Club FTE Gold Member
Due to the binding that would occur between the front and rear axles, It is really only safe to do both axles to the same ratio.

If you were to put the vehicle into 4WD with different ratios front and rear, I can guarantee that something big and expensive will go bang. Especially on pavement.

However, If you are intending to eventually (the sooner the better) also change the front to 4.30 ratio, There is a way to get around it and have the 4.30 rear now.

Change the rear axle to 4.30, and then remove the front driveshaft. Only put the driveshaft back in after the front axle is changed to 4.30 at a later date.

This would prevent the front axle from being able to be engaged in case of a accidental slip of the dash switch or a locking hub gone bad or being turned to lock.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 07:12 AM
  #3  
fordboy67's Avatar
fordboy67
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I know all about the diffs needing to be the same ratio. I'm just looking for opinions on whether to just replace the 3.73s in the rear, or go big and do both with 4.30s.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 08:03 AM
  #4  
LivingLarge's Avatar
LivingLarge
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Do you have the V10 ?

If so, the 4.30's make a huge diference.

I had mine replaced a few months ago, and love the feel even running the 285's.

The only bad thing is the aprox. $800. Per axle.

I added limited slip at that time for a few extra $'s.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 09:15 AM
  #5  
fordboy67's Avatar
fordboy67
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Yes, I have the V-10, and have wanted to upgrade the gears, but with needing new tires and the holidays not sure if it's worth it at this point, but if I just replace the 3.73s in the rear, I know I will never do the 4.30 swap Good to know it makes a BIG difference in the V-10, that'll help sway to the 4.30s Thanks for the input, LivinLarge!
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 10:04 AM
  #6  
njneer1's Avatar
njneer1
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 1
From: Southwest VA
Club FTE Silver Member

You could split the difference and pick up a 4.10 ratio from an F250 or single wheel F350 from a salvage yard.....you might even find the D50 for the front if it's a F250 donor......
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 10:55 AM
  #7  
fordboy67's Avatar
fordboy67
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Salvage yard is out of the question. I'm not going to put in that kind of time and money on a used part. I don't want to end up with something that may be no better than what I have now, quality wise.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 11:00 AM
  #8  
njneer1's Avatar
njneer1
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 1
From: Southwest VA
Club FTE Silver Member

Your choice......lots of extremely low mileage rigs in there.......just have to pick the right one.......all the yards around here warranty their parts.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 12:32 PM
  #9  
LivingLarge's Avatar
LivingLarge
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
If your not towing now, drive it for a while like that... Until you can do the work.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 03:23 PM
  #10  
fordboy67's Avatar
fordboy67
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I have been driving it, this weekend over a 400+ mile trip it seemd to get progressively worse. Plus, I'd like to get it taken care of, so when I need the four wheel drive, it's there!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Buzz44
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jun 22, 2012 12:13 PM
mgf150
1997 - 2003 F150
10
May 29, 2010 04:03 PM
bleeds blue
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Mar 31, 2009 02:29 AM
dash9w
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
3
Dec 26, 2007 04:59 PM
Jet Lizard
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
Oct 6, 2004 10:41 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:16 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE