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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

9.75 rear

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Old Jun 12, 2025 | 09:30 PM
  #1  
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9.75 rear

Just kinda thinking about and would like opinions. Want to take out 3.08 in my F150 and go with 3.55 its my trailer puller every once in a while. would it be of any benifit to get a newer 9.75 rear end and redrill the bolt pattern or just get another 8.8 rearend.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2025 | 10:37 PM
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Not worth the added complication and cost IMO, the 8.8 is plenty stout for the cargo/towing capacity of these trucks. But if you are willing to spend more than minimum dollar to get a gear change then buy the ratio that is optimal for your truck and the way it is equipped and have the gearset installed.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2025 | 12:13 AM
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I agree with Paul. A well setup 8.8" is a good axle. I put 4.10:1 in my truck a few years ago with an Eaton TrueTrac, big improvement and would recommend it. It was my first R&P install and wasn't terrible to do. The 9.75" isn't really adding anything, and certainly not for the effort.

A gear swap can be expensive if 4x4 and especially if adding in labor costs. But if you've got a truck you want to keep around it can be worth it.
 
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Old Jun 14, 2025 | 09:46 AM
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You can also just swap the whole rear from a salvage yard/ebay with 3.55's already in it. That's what I did many years back in my '96 F150. Just need new u-bolts. 3.55's from 3.08's totally transformed that truck and it had the good low grunt 300-6 too. 3.08's don't belong in trucks.
 
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