When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I recently just installed a 3:55 limited slip 8.8 and doesn’t seem to be as torquey as I thought it would be. I spent 2 weeks looking around at junk yards before I hung my hat on my search for a 4:10. Does anyone have suggestions on where to find one? Or even some advice on some kind of conversation or diff swap. I keep getting different opinions on weather or not I can change the ratio of my diff.
Yeah I replaced the whole axel. Could I have just changed the gears for 2:73 I had in there? I was told you couldn’t by some and I shouldn’t by others. How difficult is it to change and what are some things I need to look out for?
Having watched a Ford dealership mechanic fiddle with my old 8 inch for several hours, I would be more inclined to redeem recycling, look for lost change, work overtime or knock over a 7-11 and pay someone to do it. (with a warranty)
Good luck on finding 4:10 gears from the factory. I don’t slide ( the last few years it’s usually muddy ) under the vast majority of trucks in the junkyard just to take a look at what the axle tag says but there just don’t seem to be many that came that way. Most have 3:55 around here. What ratio did you have previously?
When I worked at the dealership I set up differentials and it’s not a whole lot of fun. As mentioned in the previous post you will need some special tools to install bearings, set pinion preload and ring gear backlash.
I have seen one (rear) but didn't have the time or my truck running to come get it. The truck appeard like it may have been an off road 4x4 due to the skicker and skid plates, a 6-8" skyjacker was installed and the it was supported also made it unsafe to pull by myself. I did not check the front diff for a tag, unsure how gears in the front diffs were identified. Just couldn't understand why it had a 4.9".
I have seen one (rear) but didn't have the time or my truck running to come get it. The truck appeard like it may have been an off road 4x4 due to the skicker and skid plates, a 6-8" skyjacker was installed and the it was supported also made it unsafe to pull by myself. I did not check the front diff for a tag, unsure how gears in the front diffs were identified. Just couldn't understand why it had a 4.9".
Lots of trucks came with 6 bangers. Big or small. We have a F250 at work with I6/5spd. Great work truck. I'm not a big fan of 6's, but they do work well.
You can put any gear ratio you want in an 8.8. But it does take specific tools and knowledge to install correctly.
My '95 has 3.08 and I want something a bit more. Figure I could find 3.55's pretty easy, but haven't decided if I want to go deeper. Still want some mileage on the highway. Previous truck had 3.31's and would edge near 20 mpg at 65 mph.
I can't remember what was on the tag exactly but I seemed to see a 4 and a 0 in about the same place as I can see the 3 and 8 on mine. I was there to get my core support and wasted alot of time with my first attempt at pulling GT40P heads so I didnt look at the door tag go get an idea if a factory rear with existing 4.10 gears might have just been swapped on to it. I had a 4.9 auto or my first 94 model and despised it as it could only spin tires when stuck in mud when I was 16. It never saw more than 12 MPG. Also while it pulled off the line well enough with the landscaping equipment, my 4.9 and later another 4.9 with a manual trans, the 4.9 was pretty gutless when towing at about 55 mph. I will probably get flammed as I know there is a true following of the 4.9 trucks. Is it possible i might find more desireable gearing underneath of one?
Here is a tag and what the numbers mean. You mention 3 and 8. Well, there was no such gearing so that is not the ratio. This one is for a 9", but the number layout is the same. The ratio is always in the bottom left corner. The "L" for taction lok, is optional and will just be a "." if it is an open rear.
The door tag will have the axle code, just check it. Not sure how steep they went with 8.8? 4.10? I know our F250 6 banger has a dana 60 in it. I can't recall if it is 3.73 or 4.10?
Yes, 6 bangers need some gear. They pull great, but in stock form they can be a real slug with no gearing in the back.
If you're willing to learn and take the time and patience, it can be done. I did mine last year and the 4.10 from 3.55 was VERY noticeable. I purchased a dial indicator and inch-pound torque wrench from Harbor freight, along with a press, and rented the rest of the tools, like bearing puller and bearing set. You could ask a shop to push on the bearing and ring i bet. It was a little bit or work to do in the driveway in January, but it was well worth it. Ring, pinnion, and rebuild set was maybe $250.
I have completed a few ring and pinion changes in my home garage with no air tools or press. Last project took two trips to the machine shop to change the pinion shim to get everything lined up. A little research and patience pays off.
Last project was rebuilding the 8.8" rear axle in our old 1997 Mustang GT. It suffered from the dreaded carrier bearing disintegration, replaced by the dealer, then 2 years later the pinion bearing suffered a failure. While I had it apart I changed all the bearings and seals, rebuilt the Trac-Lok clutches (restacked for tighter grip), then removed the factory 2.73 for a 3.73 ring and pinion. It can be done without a huge investment in tools.
Here is a tag and what the numbers mean. You mention 3 and 8. Well, there was no such gearing so that is not the ratio. This one is for a 9", but the number layout is the same. The ratio is always in the bottom left corner. The "L" for taction lok, is optional and will just be a "." if it is an open rear.
The door tag will have the axle code, just check it. Not sure how steep they went with 8.8? 4.10? I know our F250 6 banger has a dana 60 in it. I can't recall if it is 3.73 or 4.10?
WFE-L2 is the rear axle tag code (axle model) for 1975/79 F150 with a 9 inch, 3.25-1 ratio with Limited Slip with either a 3600 or 3750 lbs. capacity.
8.8" integral introduced in 1983 F100/150 & Bronco, but the 9 was also available thru 1986. 8.8" also installed in 1983/89 F250 2WD "Light Duty."
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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.
