advice needed
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New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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advice needed
yes i have a 95 f150 4.9 manual od with axle code 12 with 31's , the truck runs great but i have no pulling power as far as pulling a trailer . the gas mileage is 17-18 on the road, can someone give me an idea on what gears to help with this problem
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 620
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From: Toronto, ON
axel code 12 = 2.73 rear gear, which is excellent for highway cruising/speed/mileage, but very very bad for towing/acceleration.
you'd need to swap gears to get a higher gear (3.55 or higher i suppose).
I have no idea how much it'd cost and how long it'd take, as well as degree of difficulty.
you'd need to swap gears to get a higher gear (3.55 or higher i suppose).
I have no idea how much it'd cost and how long it'd take, as well as degree of difficulty.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
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From: Littleton, CO
Gears usually cost about $200 and then if you want them installed, it's about another $200, unless you have a 4x, then you need to double your estimate. Check with your local frame and axle shop, they can give you numbers better.
--Mike
--Mike
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Seneca, SC
I'm running a 77 f-100 with a 300I6, three speed, and I have a decent amount of pulling power. The motor is known for making a lot of low end torque but not so much in the way of horsepower. If the gears don't work, or you don't enjoy the idea of spooling your truck to oblivion, you could try a better intake/exhaust from some place like cliffy. It should free up a few extra hp for the same amount of dollars. The gears will definately get more towing power than what I'm suggesting, but they will cost you in the gas and highway rpm department.
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thanks for the info guys , I m all ready running a k&n air filter and ture dual exhaust with no cats. but have not changed out the coil or the intion box and also is there a site that shows the air box mod?
Thanks
Thanks
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Posting Guru
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
True duals, no cats, on a 300-6 cyl. Torque anyone?
Well, if you're running a true dual exhaust system on your 4.9l I-6 and 31" tires I'm surprised that you have any torque at all. As Roushians posted, you need gears, per the formula based on a stock 27.5" diameter tire and your 2.73 diff your actual final gear ratio is now 2.38. There is probably no back pressure, which is necessary to develop torque, does it get out of it's own way? One of our yard guys has an '96 F150 with a 4.9l and it will pull the earth off Atlas. They can be one stout engine, and probably the most under-rated engine Ford has ever put in a truck. I think it is probably my favorite engine after the 460 for brute torque, and so easily modified for more. Re-think the avenue of mods you've taken, you're gonna spend a lot of money, not be emissions legal at some point, and not realize the tremendous ability of the engine.
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Posting Guru
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
At least a 4.10. The 4.10 with the 31" tires will calc out to a 3.72 +/- and you will operate in the power band that is most beneficial. The generation of torque is not the same as horsepower. Torque is the "grunt" in the motor, it's what get 'er done. What kind of muffler are you running? A true open breathing full flow low restriction exhaust will not help in the torque area and if you have true duals are they on headers, only setup I've seen for duals so far? Search the 300-6 forum for performance enhancements, there is a lot of beneficial information there. Good luck!
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
Tex is right on the money to recommend 4.10 gears. They will give you the towing power you're looking for. Your transmissions overdrive gear will take care of lowering rpms for highway cruising. 3.73's would also be a descent ratio if you don't want to go all the way to 4.10. That 2.72 ratio in it now is rediculus in a truck. I don't know why Ford even bothered offering it.
Using a junkyard axle in lieu of doing a gear change, the lowest (numerically highest) ratio you'll likely find is 3.55. Most 1/2-tons were 3.08 or 3.55.
Using a junkyard axle in lieu of doing a gear change, the lowest (numerically highest) ratio you'll likely find is 3.55. Most 1/2-tons were 3.08 or 3.55.