89 4.9L mountain power
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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89 4.9L mountain power
Hey I'm new to the site. I have a 89 f-150 4x4 with the 4 speed man. tranny andthe 4.9L. It has plunty of power in the city but when ever I go into the mountains the power is not there even empty. I already put a free flow muffler on. any body have any cheep suggestions? Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Hey there - welcome to FTE. I have the exact same truck. 
Mine does great in the mountains and it weighs 4700 lbs empty. Do you know what your gear ratio is? That has a pretty strong impact on power.
Mine does great in the mountains and it weighs 4700 lbs empty. Do you know what your gear ratio is? That has a pretty strong impact on power.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 1
From: Adams TN
My truck is an 85 4x4 with 3.55's and no cat.
I just hauled 50 6X6 by 8ft long posts.
I don't live in the Mts. but we have some steeeeeep hills. My dad followed behind me in his 00' 150 and my truck still accelerated on the steep hills from 35-60 as quick as it would empty.
Sounds like you might have the 3.08's?
I just hauled 50 6X6 by 8ft long posts.
I don't live in the Mts. but we have some steeeeeep hills. My dad followed behind me in his 00' 150 and my truck still accelerated on the steep hills from 35-60 as quick as it would empty.
Sounds like you might have the 3.08's?
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New User
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I have no idea what my gear ratio is the id sticker on the door is gone and theres no tag on the dif. How else can I find out the ratio? It runs at 2500 rpm in 4th at 55mph with the stock 235/75/r15 tires.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,241
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From: Broken Arrow, OK
In 4th gear I run about 2300 at 55 mph with 3.08. Add a little converter slippage and you'd have about 2500 rpm.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Bored town OH
yeah I run about 2400 at 55 with 3.08's, but thats with a c6. you might wanna get a
3.73 gear and pinion set from summit racing for around 180 bucks. or if you dont do high way driving, some 4.10's. you wouldnt have any more problems driving up hills.
there is a way to tell what gears you have, I think you put the rearend on jacks, and spin the tire and count howmany times the driveshaft rotates for each time the tire rotates... or something like that, anyone else know what im talking about?
3.73 gear and pinion set from summit racing for around 180 bucks. or if you dont do high way driving, some 4.10's. you wouldnt have any more problems driving up hills.
there is a way to tell what gears you have, I think you put the rearend on jacks, and spin the tire and count howmany times the driveshaft rotates for each time the tire rotates... or something like that, anyone else know what im talking about?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 530
Likes: 1
From: Harrisonburg, VA
look on your door jamb for the axle code, if it's 19 that means you have 3.55 gears. Or you can crawl under the rear end and there should be a tag that is attached to one of the cover bolts and you could write those numbers down and post it here. But if you do have 3.08 it would be make a big difference going to some 3.55's. My dad has an 87 2wd with the 300, 3 speed w/od, and 3.55's. Mine is a 95 4wd, 300, mazda 5 speed and 3.55's and it seems a whole lot faster than his. I've tried his truck out in third gear and my fourth which are both 1:1 and I just have so much more power than his and I don't get it cause my truck weighs more than his does and I'm running 31x10.50 tires.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 530
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From: Harrisonburg, VA
Originally Posted by DT 466Man
well his truck is a 3spd yours a 5spd you can keep your engine in the power band better with more gears.