Ratio Suggestions
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 519
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From: Comfort, TX
Ratio Suggestions
I am putting a 302 with a C4 in my 50 F-1 and would like a recommendation on what ratio to use. I want to used the truck as a daily driver. Not expecting heavy work and would like reasonable gas mileage. I also do not want to experience that feeling of the transmission wanting to go past 3rd gear when us to speed. (not sure whether I properly explanined that)
Thanks
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 90
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When you say a daily driver what is the type of driving that you would be doing? If the majority is highway than a low number like 3.20ish would do. If it is a general all arounder than something mid three's like 3.50ish would be fine. Of course that I am basing it on a normal performing motor and tranny with stock sized tires. Any other opinions?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
When I bought my 54 f100 2-years ago, it had a 289/c4 combo. The rearend was a 9" with 3.50 gearing. The truck was very quick off the line, but highway speeds of 60-70 made the engine rev too high. I am not interested in fast take offs, and in this day and age fuel economy is important. So I had 3.00 gears installed in place of the 3.50s. The rpms at highway sppeds are much lower now and I got 17 mpg the last trip on the freeway. (70 mph with the A/C on for the trip home) However, on the down side, driving through neighborhood streets at 10-20 mph, the tranny shifts into third and the engine barely idles, giving it a balky feel. 
So I like to put it in low and it runs great for low speed cruising. For sustained driving of 20-30, I like the feel of leaving it in 2nd. The higher rpms acheived by using the lower gears make the exhaust sound Mean. Most guys like the 3.50 set up as a compromise, but I am very happy with the 3.00s. Good luck, John 
So I like to put it in low and it runs great for low speed cruising. For sustained driving of 20-30, I like the feel of leaving it in 2nd. The higher rpms acheived by using the lower gears make the exhaust sound Mean. Most guys like the 3.50 set up as a compromise, but I am very happy with the 3.00s. Good luck, John
Last edited by Jag Red 54; Apr 26, 2004 at 05:48 PM. Reason: grammer problem
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