I have a 99 SD, SC, SWB, 4x4 V-10 with 4.30 gears front and rear. I've ended up doing more highway driving and don't really need the that much towing capability. I wished I'd ordered the 3.73's that became available with the V-10 mid year. Anybody want to swap their 3.73's for my 4.30's. Maybe someone who needs to tow heavily or wants to put larger tires on their truck? Any ideas?

 

I have a 99 F350SD 4x4 V10 auto crew cab w/ 3.73 gears. I have toyed with the idea of swaping for the 4.30 gears. A couple of questions... Do you have the automatic or manual transmission? What rpm do you read at say 55 and 75 mph? What is you fuel mileage in mixed driving and highway driving? My axles are limited slip but I don't there is any difference in the ring gears as long as they are both DANA.

 

I ordered 3.73 on my 99.5 F350 PSD 4 x 4 with limited slip and it showed up with 4.10. I only have 1300 miles on the truck.

Empty, I turn 2250 -2300 rpm at 70 and get 18 mpg. Pulling a 5000 lb ski boat and trailer, I still get the same revs at 70 but get 15. Obviously everything is pretty tight still.

What do you get? Intersted in swapping out? Where do you live? I'm in Redondo Beach, California.

Regards
Steve

 

I've thought about this some more, and thought that investigating the US gear overdrive might also be a way to go.

Aha, you say, the cost of the unit will out weigh the saving in diesel over x number of years etc etc.

Well there is also a matter of experiencing a pleasant driving experience. I mix Los Angeles gridlock with 90 mph runs across Oklahoma pulling a trailer.

I can't see worrying about total cost of ownership versus a few bucks especially when I'm considering adding $3k of value to a $38k truck, can you?

Anyone have thoughts or any experience with the overdrive units from US Gear?

 

I have a 99 1/2 with 2200 miles that has 3.73 gears. I just got 4.30s from Ford ($900). I will be swaping them out next week sometime. Are you interested in the 3.73?

The rear end is a new Ford 10 1/2" Sterling. The front is a new Dana 50. Both these diffs are brand new this year. All the aftermarket gear makers say it will be a year or two before they will invest the money to build gears for these.

 

Brad/Fjord:

Well, I really took the plunge today and ordered the Gear Vendor overdrive unit from Drivetrain Specialists of Las Vegas.

This way I keep the towing benefit of 3.73 ratio with limied slip and can blow along at 75mph turning 2000 revs.

Thanks for the offer from Brad. Did you conider the under drive from these guys and keep your Dana/Sterling combo?

Steve
F350 PSD 4x4 drw Lariat 4.10

 

I'd be interested in purchasing your 3.73 gears as long as you have some info on your mileage that I could have with them for future use in case I ever sell the truck. How much would you want for them and what is included with them. Are these diff's a "chunk" type system or do you just swap out the ring and pinion. I know the chunk method is much easier but more expensive. Let me know how much for them and where you are located.

 

Sounds like 3.73 and diesel is the ticket to save on fuel. My V10 w/3.73 and automatic turns 1950 rpm at 70mph. My best mileage ever was ~14mpg although I've never made an effort to drive a consistent 75mph on a good level highway to see how high I can go. More typical is 11.5 - 12 mpg around town. I thought the diesel would be good empty but drop off in mileage under load. Makes me have second thoughts about buying the V10.
Enjoy your trucks guys!
Fjord

 

Dear All: Brads earlier comment about F350SD having Ford 10.5 rear and DANA 50 front axles made me curious. My F350SD has the highest avail GVW package (9900lbs)w/camper&towing options etc. and has the axles mentioned above. My owners manual however shows the F350SD avail with either this axle set or a Dana 60 front and DANA 80 rear. This is the same set offered in the F450SD. Has anyone seen a 350 with 450 axles? Does this truck also use also use the 19.5 inch wheels and larger 14.5 and 15.5 inch brake rotors from the F450-550? Call me a gear head but I gotta know.
Fjord

 

Fjord,
The dana 60/80 combo is in the dual wheel trucks. The 50/Sterling is in the rest.

 

 

I belive that some SD have Dana 60 fronts yet. I hust recieved my new 08 with manual transfercase and hubs and I am 90% sure that it is a Dana 60 front.

 

i will trade you a set of 3.73 that have at the most 20k on them, i guarentee you they are in excellant condition. i have 4.30s now and wouldnt mind haveing a spare set. let me know

 

You are not going to save a thing switching gears. Check out the V10 forum and the mpg polls down there. 3.73 or 4.30 not a difference in mpg. Besides the extra power is nice.

 

Only the early SD 1999 and 2000 came with Dana 50 fronts. Everything after that has Dana 60 fronts.