What to do with gears
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From: Magrath
What to do with gears
The rear end on my truck is starting to have a little play in it (where the yoke slides in). I debating having it rebuilt, but I don't think I want to stick with the 3.08's. What gear ratio works the best with the 300 and the Mazda 5-speed. I don't do alot of heavy pulling, but the 3.08's seem to high of gear for the truck.
I also realize I will have to switch out the front as well, but I figure if I am going to rebuilt the rear end, I might as well do both.
I also realize I will have to switch out the front as well, but I figure if I am going to rebuilt the rear end, I might as well do both.
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From: Houston TX
Dunno, If the 3.08 seems too high for your tastes, maybe a 3.54, 3.55? I don't know what your O/D ratio is..You can run a 4.10 with decent highway rpm, if you have an O/D. A lot will depend on your tire size. The smaller the tire, I'd stay towards the high end. IE: 3.55. If you decided to run big mud dog tires, that are 33'' plus, then I might consider the 3.70, 4.10, or whatever. It's all up to you, and what you want. Keeping all as is, I'd probably go with a 3.54-3.55 if you wanted a tad lower gearing. Probably feel like an extra 15-20 hp as far as seat of the pants giddyup. 
MK
MK
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From: Colorado
I can't speak from experience, but can share the wisdom of a Bronco building friend... The rear gears are pretty easy to swap out - but..."the front end is a real pain". Anybody else actually done a front gear swap?
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From: Virginia Beach
TTB D44.....You'd have to dismantle the drivers side spindle to pull the shaft out, unbolt the pumpkin from the axle half then slide the passenger axle out of its other half...I think it would be really awkward trying to do that under your truck with those cross members, brackets, radius arms, ect. in the way. I guess after that it would be like a 9", just having the gears and housing on a bench... 
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From: The best is the U.S.
Well, if you decide to go for it man I have to tell you that the 3.54/3.55 combo suits my tastes quite nicely. What is your highest sustained cruising speed in your area? If you maintain speeds above 65 mph for any distance you may not be happy with the swap (due to fuel economy). 
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From: Dededo, Guam
I have a simialr set-up as couleeman. The overdrive (5th gear) ratio is .80 with the M5OD. With 31's and 3.08's I rarely use 5th gear. I burned more gas in 5th gear trying to keep up with highway speeds than I do in 4th gear (1:1 ratio). 4ht gear just makes it easier on my motor to keep speed rather than lugging it. I would highly reccomend better gears, at least 3.55. I would go 4.10 personnaly, but thats my preference.
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From: The best is the U.S.
The reason I asked about his highway speeds is because even with my new ZF transmission (.76 OD) my 3.55 gears and 31" tires put me a good ways above 2000 rpm at my highway speeds of 70-80. I would like the 4.10 gears if I never travelled long distances with this truck, but any interstate usage would be rough on the wallet (it may just be my truck but I get much better MPG if I can keep it below 2000rpm). 3.55's are a good compromise for your general work truck, but had he said it was mainly a tow rig I would have strongly suggested the 4.10's. I'm at work, so I gotta go!
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From: The best is the U.S.
Well, on the way home from work I remembered to look at the tach. At 75mph I was turning a little over 2250 rpm, not TOO bad but like I said it decreases my MPG. The interstate makes my 45 mile trip to work a little quicker, but my mileage just hasn't been the same.
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From: Magrath
At 70 MPH in 5th, my tach says about 2200
At 55 in 5th the tach says 1950.
I run 31's, but this winter I will be lifting 2" and was debating putting on 32's. I would never go any bigger than 32's though.
At 55 in 5th the tach says 1950.
I run 31's, but this winter I will be lifting 2" and was debating putting on 32's. I would never go any bigger than 32's though.
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From: North of Toronto, Ontario
I've got the 3.55's with stock tires (235/75R15). They work real nice for general driving. If you don't get on the highway much, or you do a lot of towing, or you want a little larger tire, go with the 3.73's.
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i have 33's with the stock 3.08 gears, im thinkin about goin to 35s, i dunno yet but what would be a good gear ratio for either tire? i think 4.10's would be good for either but i dont know, i pull a trailor when im at home quite a bit. so any imput/replies would be good, thanks guys.
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I have a 1993 F-150 2wd with a 300. I am curently running 3.05 rearend with 235/75/15s. I really love drag racing and i have tore up a few chevys with 350s. I was thinking of swaping to a 4.10 rearend. Right now at 75mph i pull about 2000 rpms.How mush of a change do you think it will be?
