I have a 55 f-250 with the 4 speed synchro transmission and a 4.88 rear axle ratio. I am going to use my truck as a daily driver and to sometimes haul/tow small loads. Is this ratio to extreme for a daily driver and if so what should i change it to? I also heard that it is easier to just change out the entire axle.

 

Do you still have split rims on the truck? What size tires?

 

I dont have the original split rims but the tires about 28 in in diameter

 

It won't be any good for highways, that's for sure. I'm running 28" tires with a 3.50 ratio, gives about 2500 RPM at 60 mph. You'll be at 3500.

 

I was thinking about going with a 4.10 rear axle ration because that is the lowest the 4.88 carrier can allow, are there any other ways to get anything in the 3's without changing the whole axle?

 

First, 1955 F-250s didn't have two parts wheels. They had/have the same 16" x 6" one piece "innie" wheels first used on F-2s in 1948. They are K-H 31282 / Ford 7RD 1015-B. The stock tire sizes were either 6.50-16" or 7.00-16" which explains your 28" figure. The 6" wide rim will easily accommodate a 7.50-16" or comparable radial in 235/85R16" size that both measure about 32" tall. That alone would help road speed without hurting towing ability.

There were two rear axles used in 1955 F-250s. Either a split case Timken A150 having a 4.86/1 ratio, or the Dana/Spicer 60 having the 4.88/1 gear set. To achieve a lower final drive, perhaps a 3.54/1 or 3.73/1, you'd be looking at swapping for a later Dana 60 out of a 1972 or earlier F-250. Ideal years I believe I've read are 1967 to 1971 which are essentially bolt in swaps without other needed modifications. Stu

 

Best to try and hunt down a complete 1968-72 axle drum to drum. 3.54 and 3.73s were available those years as well as 4.10s which are the most common.