This week I had 4 Wheel Parts in Norcross, GA install the G2 4.56 Ring and Pinion with the install kit. They charged me $200 for the labor, which I had to jump on. I want to thank the guys at 4WP for doing the job expeditiously, since I waited for the work to be done, there. I also want to thank WE3ZS for his inspiration to make this move.
I have the OEM wheels with Michelin E rated stock size tires.
There are a couple of hills where I live, North Georgia/Lake Lanier area. When traveling up the hills, I usually prepare myself for the eventual downshift from OD. With the new gears, I felt no such exchange except for the gradual acceleration where, before, I was loosing speed because the beast wouldn't move out of its own way. I have not towed yet with it because I need to do the mandatory 250 mile break-in period. I'll give a post about that when I get to tow.
After the switch, I noticed that at 65 mph, I'm getting roughly the same number of RPMs as when, before the switch, I was traveling 80 MPH. Since I'll be towing at 65; in my mind I've selected the correct gears.
I have read almost every thread about gears and what guys have done and wish they had done. Based on you guys, and in particular, WE3ZS, and your experience, I made the choice. I found a good number of post where guys who put in the 4.30 wished they had moved up to the 4.56 vs. those that had installed the 4.56 and wished they had done the 4.30. The guys that had put in the 4.56s and wished they had gone to 4.88 were only guys who had larger size tires vs. stock. The "I wish I had" statements really drove my decision.
I'll throw in one more "I wish I had" statement and that is: I wish I had done this earlier.
And, oh, buy the way, "Don't fear the gear." - WE3ZS
ASFC27FTQFB

 

Good for you! I'm sure you'll love it when you tow. My daughter has 4.56s in her pickup and we love them. I'd like them in our EX and our pickup. Have fun.

 

I told you so!

I look forward to your reaction after the first tow with the new gears.

 

What engine do you have, and how is that affecting your mileage? I like the idea but don't want to kill my mileage. I have the 7.3 in both my ex's with 3.73s and usually have a trailer of some sort behind.

 

I have the 6.8. I'll give a report on mileage after switching to a Ford reman with a set of Banks headers and 5 Star tune. That should happen next week. When towing a 24' trailer with the 3.73 I got 8 mpg when traveling through North GA, TN, NC, VA and SC. I'm hoping for more mph while towing with my soon to be 27' TT, but at least now I can rest eazy knowing I can negotiate most mountains in Colorado.
ASFC27FTFBQ

 

You may like the idea, but you would HATE the results if you have stock tires on your 7.3L powered rigs. Totally different power curves. I had 4.30's in my '99 F250 with a 7.3L PSD but I had a 6" lift running with 37's. Quite a bit bigger than the stock 265's.

Stewart

 

I'll definitely be doing some research before making any changes. I'm currently running 285/75/16's, but I just finished my modified B install today, and had already done the V's. I've got a lot more height now so may switch to a taller tire. Or not.