Pulling a camper
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
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From: Dallas, GA
Can't read your certification label. Just go look at it. On the bottom row you will see a spot for "trans". You will see a single letter in that box. Let us know what that letter is
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Here's what I got; 83 f100 flareside 300ci. Pretty sure rear end, tranny, and suspension are all stock. Only mods are to the engine; holly 390, offy dp, and headers. Camper is yet to be purchased, know I can't go too big. But what modifications should I do to the rearend, suspension, and possibly tranny (4 on the floor)? VIN: 1FTCF10Y3DLA08296
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 128
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From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
I said it was un-readable! I just thought some photographic evidence would support that. Its just as bad in person. It'll be a while till I get back to the truck though, its two hours away. I'll see if I can get someone to go by.
Get a whole new rear end? Or can I just swap out the guts in the 8.8?
Or I could just start checking CL for a F250. No matter what though, I feel a need to do something to that rear end...
Get a whole new rear end? Or can I just swap out the guts in the 8.8?
Or I could just start checking CL for a F250. No matter what though, I feel a need to do something to that rear end...
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 128
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From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Considering those mods to the engine, a higher gear rearend will take advantage of those also, even when empty. You or whoever, increased the rpm at which this engine makes power, but never did change the rearend ratio. Changing the rearend will wake this truck up a little bit, and also help you pull the camper. I believe you will have a nice rig if you could get a 3.50 gear and put in it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,092
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From: Casa Grande
Well the good news is, it looks like you have and overdrive transmission. The bad is, it looks like a SROD. At least that's what it looks like to me. Went out and had a look at mine and it looks a lot like your picture, without the grease though. Sounds like your is setup the same as mine was, SROD 4 speed, 8.8 with 2.47 gears. If it is, and it's stock, it is not going to be very good at towing.
82f100460, The 8.8 does have a differential cover. The pumpkin doesn't come out like the 9" does.
82f100460, The 8.8 does have a differential cover. The pumpkin doesn't come out like the 9" does.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Dallas, GA
Well the good news is, it looks like you have and overdrive transmission. The bad is, it looks like a SROD. At least that's what it looks like to me. Went out and had a look at mine and it looks a lot like your picture, without the grease though. Sounds like your is setup the same as mine was, SROD 4 speed, 8.8 with 2.47 gears. If it is, and it's stock, it is not going to be very good at towing.
82f100460, The 8.8 does have a differential cover. The pumpkin doesn't come out like the 9" does.
82f100460, The 8.8 does have a differential cover. The pumpkin doesn't come out like the 9" does.
Right...I just don't consider that a "cover" like you would see on the rear. I was asking to make sure that's wasn't what he had and somebody had put a 10 bolt in there or something.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
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From: Dallas, GA
the gears can be swapped or find a compatible 8.8" or 9" that has the gear in it you want.
don't take this personally but you don't seem like you have the experience or tools needed to do a gear swap yourself.
I would recommend having someone do it for you, or do an entire axle swap. It can be fairly easy to NOT set up a rear gear correctly and you'll have issues.
Edit: I don't technically mean axle swap, entire rearend is what I meant
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Casa Grande
But either way, he's got some work to do if he wants to safely pull anything. I helped my friend swap rear ends on mine before I bought it from him. It had the same setup I think this guy has and it would hardly get out of it's own way empty. SROD 4sp and 2.47 gear even with the factory 215/75 tires is geared way high.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Here's some places in Oklahoma that have rearends for sale, I plugged in a 8.8 with 3.55 gear ratio. Most all are from f150's, which will fit ok if you have the 5 on 5.5 lug pattern. Have we figured out what lug pattern he has yet?
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 6-86,2WD,SWB,LARIAT 040019 $250 Bud's Salvage USA-OK(Aline) E-mail 1-800-375-2837 1-580-463-2424
1983
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 5-83,2WD,LWB 100168 $225 Bud's Salvage USA-OK(Aline) E-mail 1-800-375-2837 1-580-463-2424
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck F150 ON TRK T-6 $200 D & W Used Cars and Salvage, Inc. USA-OK(Ada) Request_Quote 1-800-776-2306 Request_Insurance_Quote
1985
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 4-10,5.0,A-OD 3 55 NL 144,828 A FA036 $200 Ruppert's Pickup Parts USA-OK(Norman) E-mail 1-800-749-9287
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck F150 A06499021 A06499021 $200 Osborn's Auto and Truck Recycling USA-OK(Oklahoma-City) E-mail 405-670-0787
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 139,962 A 86H592 $125 Jim's Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-OK(Woodward) E-mail 1-800-725-8733
1984
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 3.55 128,662 A 000080 $Call Bud's Salvage USA-OK(Aline) E-mail 1-800-375-2837 1-580-463-2424
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 6-86,2WD,SWB,LARIAT 040019 $250 Bud's Salvage USA-OK(Aline) E-mail 1-800-375-2837 1-580-463-2424
1983
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 5-83,2WD,LWB 100168 $225 Bud's Salvage USA-OK(Aline) E-mail 1-800-375-2837 1-580-463-2424
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck F150 ON TRK T-6 $200 D & W Used Cars and Salvage, Inc. USA-OK(Ada) Request_Quote 1-800-776-2306 Request_Insurance_Quote
1985
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 4-10,5.0,A-OD 3 55 NL 144,828 A FA036 $200 Ruppert's Pickup Parts USA-OK(Norman) E-mail 1-800-749-9287
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck F150 A06499021 A06499021 $200 Osborn's Auto and Truck Recycling USA-OK(Oklahoma-City) E-mail 405-670-0787
1986
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 139,962 A 86H592 $125 Jim's Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-OK(Woodward) E-mail 1-800-725-8733
1984
Rear Axle
Ford Truck 150 3.55 128,662 A 000080 $Call Bud's Salvage USA-OK(Aline) E-mail 1-800-375-2837 1-580-463-2424
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
I guess I have one of the odd F-100's since mine has the F-150 class brakes. It's a 4700 lb rated short bed built in Dec. of 1980. My father bought it new and both of us have moved heavy loads with it. It only has the 2.75 ratio with the 3 spd column shift. Once the ol' six got the load moving it was fine. Getting a T-18 ready for it. 
The guys transmission has to be a srod. Ive only seen one from a truck I parted out, but the bottom looked exactly like that in the pic.
These old trucks can move some decent loads, but no matter what you have to be smart about it and know the truck's as well as your limits.
The guys transmission has to be a srod. Ive only seen one from a truck I parted out, but the bottom looked exactly like that in the pic.
These old trucks can move some decent loads, but no matter what you have to be smart about it and know the truck's as well as your limits.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
For the original poster... if you change from the original 2.47 to a 3.55 differential, that is a 43.72% change which is huge [ask me how I know]. Your speedometer will indicate 79 mph @ a true 55 mph.
My son's truck with like change is definitely much more fun to drive and lost about 2-4 mpg on the interstate.
My son's truck with like change is definitely much more fun to drive and lost about 2-4 mpg on the interstate.