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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 05:02 PM
  #16  
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Steve, 4.30s with the new 35s would be geared exactly like the truck is now. The bigger tires gear it up, the new gears gear it back down to where it is stock.

That said, I think 4.10s would be better unless the truck never sees the hwy. This would mean slightly less RPM to achieve hwy speeds.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 05:23 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by ponykilr
I had 4.30s in my super duty with 35's. To me it was geared a little low for the hwy. If you spend a lot of time running the interstate 4.10s would be better.
Pony.. you have a 460 and a manual trans so your truck makes a LOT more torque and the OD ratio isn't as deep.. 0.8 vs 0.68 for the 4R70w. The 5.0 is a 90lb weakling at anything under 2000rpm so there is really no such thing as too much gear for it, 4.30 is the minumum gear the OP should install and 4.56 to 4.88 would be a better choice. And no that won't result in excessive RPM at highway speeds, 70mph is still just 2100rpm with 4.56 gear.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 06:17 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by ponykilr
Steve, 4.30s with the new 35s would be geared exactly like the truck is now. The bigger tires gear it up, the new gears gear it back down to where it is stock.

That said, I think 4.10s would be better unless the truck never sees the hwy. This would mean slightly less RPM to achieve hwy speeds.
I was going to suggest 4.10s to... I hear there good towing and I guess just all around good
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 06:27 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Conanski
Pony.. you have a 460 and a manual trans so your truck makes a LOT more torque and the OD ratio isn't as deep.. 0.8 vs 0.68 for the 4R70w. The 5.0 is a 90lb weakling at anything under 2000rpm so there is really no such thing as too much gear for it, 4.30 is the minumum gear the OP should install and 4.56 to 4.88 would be a better choice. And no that won't result in excessive RPM at highway speeds, 70mph is still just 2100rpm with 4.56 gear.
As my post said, I was referring to my Super Duty which was a 6.8 auto trans. It had 4.30 gears with 315-75/16s and was turning around 2200 at 70. I guess the V10 makes pretty decent torque but nothing like the 460 in my 350. I know the 302 is torque deficient but 1900 or so at 70 should be OK. My wife's Expedition only turns 1600 or so at 70 and pulls it just fine. The 5.4 isn't known as a torque monster.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 06:39 PM
  #20  
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I always read use 4.10s for a stock 302 with stock tires or 31s.
If you want 35s I have read 4.56s work best.


I always read this is because it helps put the 302 in its "power range" which is all on the high end.
Trav
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:00 PM
  #21  
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I agree it would have more power/torque at the higher RPM but at the expense of fuel mileage. You can always downshift to 3rd and rev it, but once in high gear that is it for going up.

You guys don't think a 302 could pull 35s on flat ground with 4.10s? I don't own one so it is a sincere question. The truck in 3rd would be about like it would be in high with 4.56 or 4.88s. Just downshift to 3rd if towing or in the hills. Seems like it would give more options and the truck shouldn't really have a problem starting off from a dead stop.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:09 PM
  #22  
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Oh it probably could pull 35s but not the most pleasantly. Heck it is barely pleasant (after driving 351s and bigger) with 3.55s and stock tires on our 90 F150.


In my 88 fuel mileage is out the door (I have a C6 I have a explorer and Harley for fuel mileage).
Trav
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:33 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by ponykilr
You guys don't think a 302 could pull 35s on flat ground with 4.10s?
I know it won't. All stock this motor loses speed into a headwind on flat ground with 3.55 gears and 29" tires. 4.10s and 35s is numerically the same as 3.30 gears with the stock tires which is no good for this motor. The 5.0/auto OD trucks should have all come with 3.73 gears minimum, it's the only way to keep the trans from constantly shifting in and out of OD at hwy speed.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:03 PM
  #24  
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Wow, glad my daughter's truck is a 300 and not a 5.0.

I have had some Mustangs but never a truck with a 302. No wonder there are so many people asking about cams and such for their 5.0 trucks if they are that bad.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:10 PM
  #25  
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Ya they aren't the most powerful part of the reason I recommend the 351 more. I am hoping with a cam and fresh rebuild my 302 with C6 will be more bearable till I can afford a 408 stroker build.


I personally don't know the 300 that well yet (never driven one) but hopefully it is better.
Trav
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:19 PM
  #26  
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The BIG problem with the 5.0 in a truck is Ford put stupid gearing with it, if you had a Stang you know the motor loves to rev and makes good power once the revs are up but you probably don't know just how gutless it really is at low rpms when the vehicle it's pushing is at least 1000+ heavier.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:21 PM
  #27  
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The 300 has great torque. It is completely done by 4000 RPM but the sweet spot is under 2000. It has some serious grunt down low.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:27 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Conanski
The BIG problem with the 5.0 in a truck is Ford put stupid gearing with it, if you had a Stang you know the motor loves to rev and makes good power once the revs are up but you probably don't know just how gutless it really is at low rpms when the vehicle it's pushing is at least 1000+ heavier.
This is why I want to regear my 88 weather I do 33s or not.

Originally Posted by ponykilr
The 300 has great torque. It is completely done by 4000 RPM but the sweet spot is under 2000. It has some serious grunt down low.
Funny thing is over 2K on our 90 is its sweet spot.
If I decide (went back to trying to decide) to fix our 91 F150 then I think I will like that (especially having a 5speed).
Trav
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:31 PM
  #29  
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The 300 6 has the same displacement per hole as a 400 v8, and it's got a massive big crank and heavy flywheel so it feels even stronger than it really is, it's just a crime Ford strangled it with a tiny little cylinder head.. it could have been the best motor in the fleet.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:47 PM
  #30  
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I have been using this site Gear Ratio Calculator for quite a while to calculate gearing.
 
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