Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

axle ratios

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 12, 2000 | 09:45 PM
  #1  
87F150's Avatar
87F150
Thread Starter
|
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
axle ratios

I just burned out a 355 rear and thought it was a good time to get something a little more for the highway; swapped out rear end for a 308. Anyone know of a formula or some way to figure out how much my speedo would be off; I think it now reads lower than real speed. Also called one Ford place and found that I might not be able to get an exact match for replacement speedo gear; using a C6; parts guy said he had a 325 for a C6 and said something about a 300, but I think it was for a different tranny. Any help is appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2000 | 10:19 PM
  #2  
H8monday's Avatar
H8monday
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
axle ratios

The best way I know is to compare the difference between your odometer and the actual distance you travel using Hwy mile markers, its best if you can do it over an extended distance, (50 miles or more). You can then count the number of teeth on your odometer gear and make a change reflecting the difference : such as 100 miles traveled / 110 miles on your odometer 10% increase in your odometer. If you count 20 teeth on your gear you would decrease by 10% (or 2 teeth) to an 18 tooth gear. If you want to be even more exact,there are several adjustable boxes made to work in line between your tranny and odometer(on older vehicles that dont use a speed sensor). You should be able to find a speedo calibrating shop in your yellow pages(usually under calibrating) and they will also be able to make suggestions or help.
Jeff
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2000 | 07:22 AM
  #3  
StrangeRanger's Avatar
StrangeRanger
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 2
From: Copley, OH
axle ratios

The 3.25 and 3.00 ratios are probably for the 9" rear. If you had a 3.55 and your speedo was correct before then with a 3.08 your speedo is off by:

3.55/3.08 = 1.1526

At an indicated 56 you'll be doing 65.
At an indicated 48 you'll be doing 55.

Any half way competent speedo shop or Ford dealership can supply the speedo drive gear you need. It's a 10 minute job to install.

 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2000 | 11:18 PM
  #4  
Katt's Avatar
Katt
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
axle ratios

Another easy way to see is to drive by one of those stupid radar things that the cops leave all over to tell you your speed 8-)
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2000 | 11:26 AM
  #5  
87F150's Avatar
87F150
Thread Starter
|
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
axle ratios

Thanks for the replies; I did some quick math after posting the question and got the same results as StrangeRanger: 56 reading is an actual 65; there's about a 13 or 14% speed difference, which is of course directly related to the change in final drive. I'm going to try and find a correct gear; it's definitely worth it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2000 | 01:12 PM
  #6  
Trail_Rider's Avatar
Trail_Rider
Fleet Mechanic
25 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Lower 48
axle ratios

Get it out on the interstate and time yourself between mile markers. 60 secs = 60 mph, 65 secs = 55 mph, 55 secs = 65 mph. Take the time it takes in secs and divide it into 3600 and it will give you mph. 3600 divided by 60 secs = 60 mph.

Trail Rider
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2000 | 08:52 PM
  #7  
Jack_Whittle's Avatar
Jack_Whittle
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
axle ratios

I just burned out a 355 rear and thought it was a good time to get something a little more for the highway; swapped out rear end for a 308. Anyone know of a formula or some way to figure out how much my speedo would be off; I think it now reads lower than real speed. Also called one Ford place
and found that I might not be able to get an exact match for replacement speedo gear; using a C6; parts guy said he had a 325 for a C6 and said something about a 300, but I think it was for a different tranny.
In responce to your question I also had a 355 rear end in my 1990 F Series truck with a 355 and burnt it out I had it replaced with a 308 in 1997 and when I got pulled over for going (according to my speedo) 135 Klms in a 100klms zone the cop wrote me up for doing 136 klms. So my guess is that the speedo is not off very much at all.


 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2000 | 01:40 AM
  #8  
Larry619's Avatar
Larry619
Junior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
axle ratios

 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 14, 2009 | 12:51 AM
  #9  
roofcam's Avatar
roofcam
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
If you want a very accurate reading, get or borrow a GPS unit. Then you can check it at every level.
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2009 | 07:14 AM
  #10  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
That question was asked almost 10 years ago, before GPS units were generally available
to consumers.
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2009 | 07:35 AM
  #11  
Diesel_Brad's Avatar
Diesel_Brad
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
ha ha ha just looked at the date. Good call ctubutis
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2009 | 08:13 AM
  #12  
lew52's Avatar
lew52
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
Dam its dusty in here !! I didn't know you could go that far back ?? Lew
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2009 | 08:56 AM
  #13  
roofcam's Avatar
roofcam
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Yup! I saw that after I made the posting. I was doing a google on the rear end and that link came up. I usually check the date before jumping in, but fell asleep on this one. Sorry!
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:45 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE