I have the 4.30 LS and glad I have them. My v10 is very peppy with the stock size tires, with bigger tires it's a no brainer.
Gearing
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: bozeman usa
Gearing
You are going to get noticably worse milage with the 4.30's. (and to be honest I"m not sure how much the bigger tires are going to throw this off), but a ski boat only weighs maybe 5000 lbs, that V-10 is barely going to notice it's back there. The V-10 is a beast, power everywhere, it could pull a house and i'm at 5000 feet, losing a good 20% of power just from less oxygen.
Someone may (ok will) correct me if the tire sizes are going to be off, but I think you would be fine with the 3.73's and would get much better mileage.
Someone may (ok will) correct me if the tire sizes are going to be off, but I think you would be fine with the 3.73's and would get much better mileage.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard, CA
Gearing
buy the truck with the 4.30's
drive a truck with the 3.73's with stock tires and see what you think of the power band..... the 4.30's with 35" tires will have nearly the same power as the 3.73's with stock tires....
to calculate where you want to be use the following formula:
(new tire/old tire) * old ratio = new ratio
(35/31) * 3.73 = 4.21
randy's ring and pinion calculator say that you will see an increase of 57 RPM at 65 MPH (assuming you started with stock tires and the 3.73's and the went to 35" tires and the 4.30's)
so... this is a no brainer.... get the 4.30's!
drive a truck with the 3.73's with stock tires and see what you think of the power band..... the 4.30's with 35" tires will have nearly the same power as the 3.73's with stock tires....
to calculate where you want to be use the following formula:
(new tire/old tire) * old ratio = new ratio
(35/31) * 3.73 = 4.21
randy's ring and pinion calculator say that you will see an increase of 57 RPM at 65 MPH (assuming you started with stock tires and the 3.73's and the went to 35" tires and the 4.30's)
so... this is a no brainer.... get the 4.30's!
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
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
From: Roswell USA
Gearing
GET THE 4.3's. Bout the only mistake I made when I ordered mine. I'm not sold on the limited slip but the cost of the option vs regearing (and a LS) is major $$$$. You may get away w/ it w/ a standard but w/ an auto you'd be stuck w/ that stock tire (31.8" new). There's nothing wrong w/ 3.73's but 4.3's and bigger tires will get you the set-up your probably looking for! GET THE 4.3's!
