Tire Size Gearing Question
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
Tire Size Gearing Question
I know I can go and figure out final drive ratios and all that but I kind of want a seat of the pants opinion on gear ratios for my EX.
I have 305/70/16 Coopers, basically 32/33" tall. I currently have 3.73's and want a little more. I tow, 24" enclosed (~2700lbs) with a 4000lb car and my EX is set up to handle it. Engine is getting a little tired but the trans is good, big cooler, wicked wheel....bunch of upgrades...except the gearing.
So now, my better/smarter half is talking about a travel trailer. I like the idea as I've wanted to travel a bit and we go to a lot of hockey tournaments (hotels are expensive) so a TT would be nice.
I see the weights on the TT's are a bit higher than Im used to. I think gearing will help but I also drive the EX plenty without a trailer so I want something in the middle.
What do you guys think?
I have 305/70/16 Coopers, basically 32/33" tall. I currently have 3.73's and want a little more. I tow, 24" enclosed (~2700lbs) with a 4000lb car and my EX is set up to handle it. Engine is getting a little tired but the trans is good, big cooler, wicked wheel....bunch of upgrades...except the gearing.
So now, my better/smarter half is talking about a travel trailer. I like the idea as I've wanted to travel a bit and we go to a lot of hockey tournaments (hotels are expensive) so a TT would be nice.
I see the weights on the TT's are a bit higher than Im used to. I think gearing will help but I also drive the EX plenty without a trailer so I want something in the middle.
What do you guys think?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 983
Likes: 366
Another set of stock size wheels/ tires that you swap on when towing the TT would be a lot cheaper than new gears. And you could get E or F load range tires (if you don't run that load range already). The smaller stock size tires would effectively give you a lower final drive ratio.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
I have a (tired) 7.3L.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
At 12" wide, the 305/70/16 tires on stock 7" wide wheels are really pushing the limit...especially when you get a fair amount of tongue weight on the rears. I agree that another set of wheels with a closer to stock size tire will be the best scenario. However, the 16" LT tires are getting tough to find...just went through this on both our trucks. I wound up upgrading to stock 18" wheels with 275/70/18 rubber which has less sidewall that will translate into less flex and better trailer control...no more tail wagging...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 156
From: Sedalia, CO
EDIT: I no sooner uploaded the v0.1DRAFT than I realized it had an error for the V10. v0.2DRAFT is attached.
You're welcome to use the attached calculator I wrote to see what effect your choices have one engine RPM in any gear. As the file name indicates, it's very much a DRAFT, so let me know if it needs any changes.
Mark
You're welcome to use the attached calculator I wrote to see what effect your choices have one engine RPM in any gear. As the file name indicates, it's very much a DRAFT, so let me know if it needs any changes.
Mark
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 374
Likes: 33
If I may.. our SD has 3.73's and a stock 34 inch tire. It does fine. I am going to put 33's on the eX, which has the same gearing, and am not worried at all. Our TT weighs around 6K.
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 850
Likes: 114
From: Virginia
When you say the motor is tired...how tired are we talking? Gears would definitely help, but it'd be a shame to drop a couple grand (I'm assuming it's 4x4) on gears and then have the motor let go.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
EDIT: I no sooner uploaded the v0.1DRAFT than I realized it had an error for the V10. v0.2DRAFT is attached.
You're welcome to use the attached calculator I wrote to see what effect your choices have one engine RPM in any gear. As the file name indicates, it's very much a DRAFT, so let me know if it needs any changes.
Mark
You're welcome to use the attached calculator I wrote to see what effect your choices have one engine RPM in any gear. As the file name indicates, it's very much a DRAFT, so let me know if it needs any changes.
Mark
I dont think Im to the point of having to worry about the engine itself. Tired meaning lots of blow by. Nothing really wrong with it, yet, but with 285K, Im starting to wonder whats going to pop. Having a 76K mile 7.3 250 now, I can really tell the difference. Comparing them, the EX sounds like its down a cylinder.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 890
Likes: 156
From: Gainesville
I have the E rated stock size Michelin Defenders for my 6.8 2 wheel drive. It’s driven by set of G2 4:56 with a TrueTrac LS. Aluminum finned differential cover with Amzoil lube. It should pull.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
This ^^^ I’m also running 35” rubber and 3.73s with no real issues. I may go to 4.10s later but it’s not caused me any problems scooting the 5 tons down the road at a good clip.
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 90
Likes: 54
From: Chino Valley, AZ
Why the gear change? I have a v10 with the 3.73 and am debating 4.3 vs 4.56 when I upgrade to 35's.