Wrong Axle Ratio Ordered
New User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
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I placed an order on Oct 28. F-350 DRW Platinum. I requested the 3.55 rear end. When I added the off road package the dealer said the 3.55 was no longer an option and had to be switched to 4.10. I was not happy but accepted it because I liked the skid plates and the hill descent. I now see platinums on the lot with off road option AND the 3.55. Not happy but it will work since I will be pulling 19/20K fifth wheel.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
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From: Western New York
I placed an order on Oct 28. F-350 DRW Platinum. I requested the 3.55 rear end. When I added the off road package the dealer said the 3.55 was no longer an option and had to be switched to 4.10. I was not happy but accepted it because I liked the skid plates and the hill descent. I now see platinums on the lot with off road option AND the 3.55. Not happy but it will work since I will be pulling 19/20K fifth wheel.
New User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
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Rasalas thanks. I saw that this morning. My dealer did not use a form. He used a Ford software program to pick options. I picked the 3.55 axle. Several options later the off road package came up. I said yes. The program stated off road package not available with 3.55 axle. After a short discussion I chose the 4.10 with the off road package.
I had time to think about it overnight. I figured the 4.10 would pull like a champ in the mountains, but it just won't get the fuel mileage when unloaded. I like playing the fuel mileage game as a daily driver. Fuel price is not an issue. I don't like to see high rpm when running 75-80 mph. And also like playing with the transmission when in the mountains. Oh well, I keep telling myself.... It will be OK. This Diesel engine is going to last forever.
I had time to think about it overnight. I figured the 4.10 would pull like a champ in the mountains, but it just won't get the fuel mileage when unloaded. I like playing the fuel mileage game as a daily driver. Fuel price is not an issue. I don't like to see high rpm when running 75-80 mph. And also like playing with the transmission when in the mountains. Oh well, I keep telling myself.... It will be OK. This Diesel engine is going to last forever.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,676
Likes: 12,797
From: Wyoming
I sent an email to the dealer at about 6 am today asking them to correct the axle or submit a new order. They responded back within 90 minutes saying they were going to try to change the order.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,117
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From: Hatfield's side of river
Good Job! Hope it works out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,399
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With the tires on the F350 DRW (645 Revs / mile per Ford), personally, I'd strongly prefer the 4.10. The DRW 3.55 has it's worst pulling speed at just over 65 MPH - right where I pull the big mountains. At 70 MPH, you are 3000 RPMs in 3rd (too high) and 2200 in 4th (too low for full power - around 360 HP vs 440 HP at 2800). Chances are your transmission will be in 5th pulling at 65 MPH, which is a suboptimal 2100 RPMs.
The 4.10 is just right for this 65-70 MPH roads. 2600 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th, and you can still accelerate to 75 MPH to pass in 5th before passing 2800 RPMs.
If you pull the mountains below 65 MPH, the 3.55 is great. It really depends on how you want to drive. I hope this helps you feel better about your 4.10 if you're stuck with it. (It'll shift a lot less towing as well.)
The 4.10 is just right for this 65-70 MPH roads. 2600 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th, and you can still accelerate to 75 MPH to pass in 5th before passing 2800 RPMs.
If you pull the mountains below 65 MPH, the 3.55 is great. It really depends on how you want to drive. I hope this helps you feel better about your 4.10 if you're stuck with it. (It'll shift a lot less towing as well.)
New User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
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Around 19k lbs between the hay and trailer. SD doesn't have any issues, now the tires might if I run too fast or get 'em too hot. 
If I hadn't of sold 2/3's of my cows and wasn't slowing down I would have to buy a tandem dually myself.
Farm tags on both so no DOT issues.
If I hadn't of sold 2/3's of my cows and wasn't slowing down I would have to buy a tandem dually myself.Farm tags on both so no DOT issues.
holy crap, that must be some light hay. Around here those bales would be at least 1500 a piece plus the roughly 6000 pound trailer (my tandem dually 32' is roughly 7000)
and we don't know what a farm plate is anymore in iowa lol
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa
3.31 vs 3.55
Aren't most of the people running 3.31 on 275/70/18 tires with a diameter of 33.2". And 3.55 run 275/65/20 with a diameter of 34.1"
The net result should be about the same RPM's and gas mileage should it not. I don't see why 3.55 is automatically better for towing without taking into consideration the tire diameter. Also for mileage purposes it would be helpful to disclose both ratio and tire size.
The net result should be about the same RPM's and gas mileage should it not. I don't see why 3.55 is automatically better for towing without taking into consideration the tire diameter. Also for mileage purposes it would be helpful to disclose both ratio and tire size.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,895
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My 25' PJ trailer weighs 6500 lbs
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 183
Aren't most of the people running 3.31 on 275/70/18 tires with a diameter of 33.2". And 3.55 run 275/65/20 with a diameter of 34.1"
The net result should be about the same RPM's and gas mileage should it not. I don't see why 3.55 is automatically better for towing without taking into consideration the tire diameter. Also for mileage purposes it would be helpful to disclose both ratio and tire size.
The net result should be about the same RPM's and gas mileage should it not. I don't see why 3.55 is automatically better for towing without taking into consideration the tire diameter. Also for mileage purposes it would be helpful to disclose both ratio and tire size.
Most that I know that tow heavy get the 18's tires and 3.55. Not only are the tires cheaper to replace (and they don't last long if towing heavy) but you actually have a 3.55. 20's and 3.55 effectively gives you 3.32. The advantages to the 20's are slightly higher capacity and better looks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 30
I placed an order on Oct 28. F-350 DRW Platinum. I requested the 3.55 rear end. When I added the off road package the dealer said the 3.55 was no longer an option and had to be switched to 4.10. I was not happy but accepted it because I liked the skid plates and the hill descent. I now see platinums on the lot with off road option AND the 3.55. Not happy but it will work since I will be pulling 19/20K fifth wheel.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,245
From: Western MA
The smaller one is the AS ratio and de-rates the axle to 6780# if you select it.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,676
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From: Wyoming
Email update from the dealer today indicates that they have the district manager involved now trying to change the order. I bet they can't. They farted around too long. Build date is supposed to be 12/3.