Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Freeway gears

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 02:49 PM
  #1  
second_chance.custom's Avatar
second_chance.custom
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Freeway gears

What would be the best gear ratio to use. I have a1950 f-1 with a 302/c4. 9" rear end out of a 69 Ranchero. I don't know what gears are in it now but l would like to if there's a better ratio for the freeway.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 02:55 PM
  #2  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
You sure that's a 9 inch? 1969 Ranchero 302/C4 could have come with either an 8 inch or 9 inch. 8 looks very similar to a 9, but...no parts interchange.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 02:59 PM
  #3  
second_chance.custom's Avatar
second_chance.custom
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I'm sure it's a 9"
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 04:17 PM
  #4  
4tl8ford's Avatar
4tl8ford
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Your ratio depends on where you live and intend to drive - Flatland 3:00 or 20 should be ok - Mountains 3:75 give or take .20 - Both sets should give 65 mph unless your running 25 inch tall tires
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 04:23 PM
  #5  
second_chance.custom's Avatar
second_chance.custom
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Thanks 4tl8ford. I live in California in the Los Angeles area. There's a few hills to get over here and there but nothing major. I was looking to be able to cruise at 70 for the trips to Vegas or Santa Barbara.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
Eds56Effie's Avatar
Eds56Effie
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 1
From: Metro Atlanta
Club FTE Silver Member

My AOD/9"/3.50 has proven to be a good all around gear for performance and highway.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 04:50 PM
  #7  
Moe Craig's Avatar
Moe Craig
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Club FTE Silver Member

tires heigth are another factor.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 04:57 PM
  #8  
second_chance.custom's Avatar
second_chance.custom
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I just went out to look at the rear end. I was wrong. It's an 8".
Moe Craig, I'm running 175 70 r14.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Brett Foote
story-6

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 05:02 PM
  #9  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
AHA! I thought so, 302/C4 was the dead bang give-away. While a 9 could have been ordered with this combo in a Ranchero, most came with an 8.

Common 8" ratios were 2.75 & 3.00. Same R&P's 1962/80 and since you live here in LA LA Land, finding either should be fairly EZ.

Give Bo a call at Mustang Service Center in North Hollywood (818-765-9266). He probably has several. Bo was a Ford partsman almost as long as I was.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 05:05 PM
  #10  
second_chance.custom's Avatar
second_chance.custom
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Big price difference in gears.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 06:00 PM
  #11  
4tl8ford's Avatar
4tl8ford
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Do a serch for mile per hr calculator.
Your tire diameter for the tire you listed above is 23.6 in
This tire will have 866 rev per mile
add desired engine rpm you want at cruse
add you rear end ratio
you get the MPH for that set up.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 06:52 PM
  #12  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
Likes: 1,050
From: NM
Originally Posted by second_chance.custom
I just went out to look at the rear end. I was wrong. It's an 8".
Moe Craig, I'm running 175 70 r14.
Are you running such small tires to get low? That is a very small tire, with a low load rating. You'd easily gain 10% switching to a 15" tire around 225/70.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 06:56 PM
  #13  
second_chance.custom's Avatar
second_chance.custom
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Albuq F-1, It's for the style of build I'm doing. Yes it's a small tire but its what I wanted. It's just for cruising. Plus it will also be my daily driver. So I need to go about 70 since work is about 45 miles of fwy.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 07:08 PM
  #14  
52 Merc's Avatar
52 Merc
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,148
Likes: 4,747
From: Burbank, WA
As was stated, the gears you have in your 8" are most likely the highest ratio available. 2.80-3.00 was a typical gear used in a 69 Ranchero. You're likely to find your only real options are to go with a taller tire or live with a screaming engine at 70. Is "style" worth it to you? Only you can answer that. Your current tire is about 10% smaller than the factory tire on the Ranchero.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 07:14 PM
  #15  
thomc's Avatar
thomc
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 551
Likes: 63
From: NC
There are charts on the 'net that tell rpm/mph but I've found that they are not all accurate. See "my caddy and I" on here and you'll see what I mean.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE