Notices
1957 - 1960 F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Box Style Ford Trucks

rpm's and ratio's

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 03:59 PM
  #1  
stevevize's Avatar
stevevize
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca.
rpm's and ratio's

My head is spinning with all the posts and other info I have read on rpm's and ratio's. A couple of questions here; I could use a little help. 1) On my 59 F100 223, what is a reasonable rpm if I want to do 65-70 MPH? 2) What is the ratio coming out of the tail of a 3 speed with OD when in 3rd gear or OD? I'm trying to get to a reasonable rpm on the highway by changing tires or rear end or both. I have found a couple of calculators but still need a little more guidance. Thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 04:12 PM
  #2  
Maltman's Avatar
Maltman
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 3
From: Manteca, CA
the only help I can give is my 60 w/223 & 3 on the tree turns 2200 rpms @ 55 MPH on GPS. with that said, on some of the older OE tachometers I have seen that 2000-2500 is safe operating range. I do not know rear end ratio-but if needed I'm sure I can figure it out for you

Joe
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 04:21 PM
  #3  
stevevize's Avatar
stevevize
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca.
Thanks Joe. I've got 4.10 gears. Even in OD, 55 mph was a stretch.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 04:25 PM
  #4  
Maltman's Avatar
Maltman
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 3
From: Manteca, CA
you're welcome, anytime. I see that these 223's redline @ 4200...I couldn't imagine revving that high though-sounds like its going to come apart @ 3500, maybe just my motor
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 04:26 PM
  #5  
Maltman's Avatar
Maltman
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 3
From: Manteca, CA
you going to do gears or a 5 speed swappie?
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 04:41 PM
  #6  
stevevize's Avatar
stevevize
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca.
Probably do gears and tires. I live in San Luis Obispo county and can't find any here. I'm not opposed to heading your way if I find something that will work. The calculator I used did not factor in OD. I'm not sure where to go from here. I'll have to be a bit patient.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 06:25 PM
  #7  
hiball3985's Avatar
hiball3985
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 80
From: tujunga, calif
If your F100 has the original rear end it's probably a 4.11 not a 4.10. The overdrive will reduce the engine rpm by approximately 30% so I'm not sure why you can only get 55 mph, just doesn't seem correct.. Do you feel the engine is pulling to many RPM or just not enough power to pull it faster?

I can only give you a ball park figure on what I run for RPMs but I have 3.89 gears and 31" tires. It cruises at 65-70 with no problem at approx 2250-2375 RPM from an online calculator program I used one time, I don't have a tach. I'm happy running at that RPM and fine on level ground but hills often require shifting back into straight 3rd gear to maintain 60 mph at a rpm I'm comfortable with. I'm actually geared a little to high and it puts the engine below the max torque RPM.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 08:27 PM
  #8  
stevevize's Avatar
stevevize
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca.
Hi Jim. Correct, they are 411's however, not original. No tach, I felt it was higher than it should be but possibly not much power also. I do know for sure the gas mileage was bad. Your ratio, rpm's and tire size sound easy enough to accomplish. I'll shoot for that combo and run a calc with 30-31" tires. I can get a Dana 44 with, I believe, are 392 gears for $150 in Fresno. Does that sound like a fair price? I have no idea. The 30% rpm reduction in OD and your rpm info was very helpful. Thanks.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

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

 Brett Foote
story-5

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

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

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 09:21 PM
  #9  
hiball3985's Avatar
hiball3985
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 80
From: tujunga, calif
Does you F100 have a 9" rear now? It would be easier to find another third member with a better gear and swapping it rather then putting the Dana 44 in, JMHO.

Normally with 4.11 gears and overdrive it should run faster then 55 mph.

Have you checked the vacuum advance on the distributor is working? 223 distributors only have vacuum advance, no mechanical. If it isn't working the engine will be a dog...
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 09:48 PM
  #10  
stevevize's Avatar
stevevize
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca.
Truck is inoperable right now. When I get it back together I'll check all items before I change anything. I believe its an 8.5" I have posted pix in this forum a couple of weeks ago.
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2014 | 09:52 PM
  #11  
my 66's Avatar
my 66
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
help

Originally Posted by stevevize
My head is spinning with all the posts and other info I have read on rpm's and ratio's. A couple of questions here; I could use a little help. 1) On my 59 F100 223, what is a reasonable rpm if I want to do 65-70 MPH? 2) What is the ratio coming out of the tail of a 3 speed with OD when in 3rd gear or OD? I'm trying to get to a reasonable rpm on the highway by changing tires or rear end or both. I have found a couple of calculators but still need a little more guidance. Thanks in advance.
Go to the west coast differential web site they have calulater it will tell you your what you want to know.
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2014 | 10:24 PM
  #12  
stevevize's Avatar
stevevize
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca.
Thank you.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mr.precision
1947 and Older Ford Trucks
8
Jan 2, 2016 09:05 AM
hungwell
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
Mar 7, 2009 02:17 PM
four8fordf1
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Nov 8, 2008 01:56 PM
1984F15016
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
9
Jun 23, 2004 01:25 AM
RobertNooy
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
4
Mar 31, 2003 01:13 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:39 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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