Another 4.30 thread
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 695
From: Minnesota
I love my 4.30's. I don't see a downside. Yes, the 10 speed can run in lower gears with 3.55's and make it work. But, if 3.55's run in 7th while the 4.30's run in 9th for a equivalent load, the 3.55 truck will effectively only have a 7 speed transmission while the 4.30 truck will have a 9 speed. Smaller gaps between gears with the 4.30 truck.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
But Bob - you love your 4.30s with the 6 speed transmission. If you could have the 10 speed, would you stay with 4.30s? The 3.55 would give you everything you have today across 8 gears, plus a taller 9th and 10th.
I know it would help to test drive several trucks, but the dealer lots around here are bare.
I know it would help to test drive several trucks, but the dealer lots around here are bare.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 715
Likes: 337
From: Texas Hill Country
Are the 6.7 guys ordering 4.33 gears? I see a lot of 3.31 gears in those.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I hate the fact that my 2020 F250 is coming with 20's. I am old school and prefer more rubber than rim. But the times are a changin'. I'll add that on my 06 F150 I wish I upgraded the rear diff from 3.73. I tow an enclosed motorcycle trailer (under 5000 lbs), but I lift all my trucks. I put a 6" lift with 35's on this truck and it is a dog. So if you plan on going to 35's or 37's, the 4.3 will perform better [In my opinion].
If no plans to lift, then listen to the experts above. If you plan to lift and tow heavy...... well..... my answer is null and void
If no plans to lift, then listen to the experts above. If you plan to lift and tow heavy...... well..... my answer is null and void
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 370
Likes: 87
But Bob - you love your 4.30s with the 6 speed transmission. If you could have the 10 speed, would you stay with 4.30s? The 3.55 would give you everything you have today across 8 gears, plus a taller 9th and 10th.
I know it would help to test drive several trucks, but the dealer lots around here are bare.
I know it would help to test drive several trucks, but the dealer lots around here are bare.
New User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I will say the 4.30 with the 10 speed is fantastic. I'm in a Tremor so I have the 18" wheels with 35" of tire and there is no need for anything more power wise. Merging onto the highway is far easier than my '13 F150 with 3.55. Cruising at 70mph my tach reads right at 1500rpm if I remember correctly, been awhile since I was at that speed. As far as towing, I had a 3 horse bumper pull empty weight of 4k loaded down with 3 horses, all their tack, full bed, 4 adults.. (so a fair load somewhere in the 9k range) was going up SC hills at 70 in 7th and gaining speed, only lost about 1-2 mpg from what I typically run around town.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,335
Likes: 4,347
From: SW VA
Well, the 6.7L only has the options of 3.31 and 3.55 unless you go dually. And like the gas trucks, all the dealers just default to ordering the taller gear ratio.
I think 4.10's would be perfect for the 6.7L/10spd combo.
I think 4.10's would be perfect for the 6.7L/10spd combo.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 68
Likes: 23
Unfortunately I didn’t know a lot about gearing until 6 weeks after I ordered my 7.3L and already had a VIN so it is what it is, dealer pushed me to 3.55. Ive been towing 7-8k depending on cargo with a 2013 expedition with 3.73 and tired of the trailer driving the tow vehicle so already knew I wanted a 3/4 ton. Never owned one and I had to order because nothing was on the lot for months. I tow under 10k so don’t expect an issue as many have reported good performance at those weights but if I decide to go bigger on a trailer or get annoyed with the “gear hunting” a gear swap would be cheaper than trading the truck in so my question is with the new 10 speed do you have to do any transmission reprogramming when swapping gears?
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,335
Likes: 4,347
From: SW VA
Unfortunately I didn’t know a lot about gearing until 6 weeks after I ordered my 7.3L and already had a VIN so it is what it is, dealer pushed me to 3.55. Ive been towing 7-8k depending on cargo with a 2013 expedition with 3.73 and tired of the trailer driving the tow vehicle so already knew I wanted a 3/4 ton. Never owned one and I had to order because nothing was on the lot for months. I tow under 10k so don’t expect an issue as many have reported good performance at those weights but if I decide to go bigger on a trailer or get annoyed with the “gear hunting” a gear swap would be cheaper than trading the truck in so my question is with the new 10 speed do you have to do any transmission reprogramming when swapping gears?
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 715
Likes: 337
From: Texas Hill Country
These are not heavy trailers we’re talking about, so there should be any issue at all. What Ford is doing is putting higher gear in bigger engines. That’s why the default 7.3 gear is 3.55 (except in the Tremor with big tires) and the 6.7 appears to be 3.31. And yes, I understand it’s for fuel economy.
One more issue I keep seeing is the concern over 3.55 gears in the 7.3 putting strain on the drive train. Unless I’m mistaken, it’s the same drive train as the 6.7. So a 6.7 cranking out 1050 ft lbs of torque with a 3.31 gear would be A LOT more strain than anything the 7.3/3.55 could do. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this aspect (as if I have to ask
).
One more issue I keep seeing is the concern over 3.55 gears in the 7.3 putting strain on the drive train. Unless I’m mistaken, it’s the same drive train as the 6.7. So a 6.7 cranking out 1050 ft lbs of torque with a 3.31 gear would be A LOT more strain than anything the 7.3/3.55 could do. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this aspect (as if I have to ask
).
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 715
Likes: 337
From: Texas Hill Country
I agree. I bought a 7.3/3.55 because that’s what was on the lot and everything else was perfect on it. A 3.73, or maybe even a 4.10, would’ve been more ideal. Though I’m not worried about the 3.55 performance, it’s just nice to have more options.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 370
Likes: 87
These are not heavy trailers we’re talking about, so there should be any issue at all. What Ford is doing is putting higher gear in bigger engines. That’s why the default 7.3 gear is 3.55 (except in the Tremor with big tires) and the 6.7 appears to be 3.31. And yes, I understand it’s for fuel economy.
One more issue I keep seeing is the concern over 3.55 gears in the 7.3 putting strain on the drive train. Unless I’m mistaken, it’s the same drive train as the 6.7. So a 6.7 cranking out 1050 ft lbs of torque with a 3.31 gear would be A LOT more strain than anything the 7.3/3.55 could do. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this aspect (as if I have to ask).
One more issue I keep seeing is the concern over 3.55 gears in the 7.3 putting strain on the drive train. Unless I’m mistaken, it’s the same drive train as the 6.7. So a 6.7 cranking out 1050 ft lbs of torque with a 3.31 gear would be A LOT more strain than anything the 7.3/3.55 could do. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this aspect (as if I have to ask
).
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 143
Likes: 18
From: Stanley
I like the 4.30 with the 7.3 because it only has 470 lb/ft of torque. All 10 gears of the trans are available in normal driving. With the 3.55 you will be lucky to see the higher overdrive gears in normal driving. Now if you have a 6.7 with 1000lb/ft of torque, you could pull the higher gears easily. In my humble opinion, the 10 speed trans and the 4.30 gear are the perfect combination with the 7.3.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 111
Likes: 17
I've pulled my 5th wheel about 3500 miles with the 7.3 10 speed 4.30 combo. I don't lock out any of the gears and the truck will chug along in 10th on the flat highway doing about 65 mph with no problem. With the 4.30s, form a stop the truck gets going very easily while pulling trailer. The 7.3 has quite a bit more torque on the low end compared to my old 6.2 w/ 4.30s and in general I'm always turning a lower RPM because of it. With 4.30s I can use all 10 gears. Overall I'm very pleased with the performance. Good luck with your new truck.