Changing gears?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Changing gears?
I have an automatic and I was wondering if I got 4.10 gears if it would be fairly cheap to have them put in. Would it give me more or torq or just make the truck faster? I know a lot of mustangs fans tend to throw 3.73 and 4.10 gears in their cars and it makes them faster, and then I've heard of some people on here having them in their trucks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,021
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From: Brandon Mb
I don't know if faster is the right word. It makes them accelerate quicker, but not necessarly top speed faster. Anywho, it depends on what you want to do with your truck. See, putting 4.10's in your truck will make it a better pulling truck (you'll be able to pull a load better), but your gas mileage will suffer, and you could wear things out quicker.
Trevor
Trevor
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Changing gears is a trade-off.
Lower gears (numerically higher) will give you more "perceived" power and make the truck seem to accelerate faster. The motor is really doing the same amount of work, it will just get you there faster.
The downside is that your engine will be spinning faster at a given speed, burning more gas than before.
There are exceptions - some people report an increase in gas mileage with lower gears because the transmission doesn't have to downshift as much going up and down hills.
You have to look at your tire diameter, engine, and transmission before deciding to spend the money on a gear change, which runs in the $600 per axle neighborhood.
Lower gears (numerically higher) will give you more "perceived" power and make the truck seem to accelerate faster. The motor is really doing the same amount of work, it will just get you there faster.
The downside is that your engine will be spinning faster at a given speed, burning more gas than before.
There are exceptions - some people report an increase in gas mileage with lower gears because the transmission doesn't have to downshift as much going up and down hills.
You have to look at your tire diameter, engine, and transmission before deciding to spend the money on a gear change, which runs in the $600 per axle neighborhood.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Gear change Question
I had a similar quandry and I solved it this way.
I wanted 3.73 gears. I bought a ring and pinion on e-Bay.
Then tried to get the rear end out of my current axle.
Oh, and current axle has leaked from the right seal since day one!
Little bolt was broken off which holds the pin in the spider gears.
It was suggested I cut(oxy-acet) the spider gears out and then just replace them after assembly of the new ring gear/pinion.
I decided instead to go to the junk yard and get a whole axle.(cost was $75)
Found a limited slip, only real high, like 2.7x or something.
Took old axle out and put this one in complete with new brake shoes, cylinders and new lines. Took an afternoon.
Old line was breaking down anyway.
This was in a 90 with 3.9 and E40D.
Now I can work on the old axle at leisure and when complete either sell it or reinstall it in the truck.
Wanted the 3.73 for towing car trailer so think that's the way I'll probably go.
Bottom line of all this I guess, is a whole axle swap is another option.
Or rebuild one and swap rebuild into your vehicle.
(Loving the gas mileage right now I should add)
FWIW
DaveP
I wanted 3.73 gears. I bought a ring and pinion on e-Bay.
Then tried to get the rear end out of my current axle.
Oh, and current axle has leaked from the right seal since day one!
Little bolt was broken off which holds the pin in the spider gears.
It was suggested I cut(oxy-acet) the spider gears out and then just replace them after assembly of the new ring gear/pinion.
I decided instead to go to the junk yard and get a whole axle.(cost was $75)
Found a limited slip, only real high, like 2.7x or something.
Took old axle out and put this one in complete with new brake shoes, cylinders and new lines. Took an afternoon.
Old line was breaking down anyway.
This was in a 90 with 3.9 and E40D.
Now I can work on the old axle at leisure and when complete either sell it or reinstall it in the truck.
Wanted the 3.73 for towing car trailer so think that's the way I'll probably go.
Bottom line of all this I guess, is a whole axle swap is another option.
Or rebuild one and swap rebuild into your vehicle.
(Loving the gas mileage right now I should add)
FWIW
DaveP
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Performance
That is always for sure another good option!
And the good thing about it is if you think you didn't make the right decision, you still have the truck!
Right now I have the truck(90 F150), an economy vehicle(cavalier), working on a performance vehicle(85 Elcamino/355/ 5 speed) and a host of others-2 VW Super beetles, 3 Falcons(I6's) and a couple of Camaros, oh, and two other El Caminos.
Besides with another performance vehicle you can run around scouting for parts!
People gravitate toward performance cars and are always willing to help you find things for it or otehr vehicles.
See, it's already a good investment! :-|
On my axle swap, the hardest part was redoing the brake lines and working around the emergency cable.
I'm reading up on setting up a rear end now.
DaveP
And the good thing about it is if you think you didn't make the right decision, you still have the truck!
Right now I have the truck(90 F150), an economy vehicle(cavalier), working on a performance vehicle(85 Elcamino/355/ 5 speed) and a host of others-2 VW Super beetles, 3 Falcons(I6's) and a couple of Camaros, oh, and two other El Caminos.
Besides with another performance vehicle you can run around scouting for parts!
People gravitate toward performance cars and are always willing to help you find things for it or otehr vehicles.
See, it's already a good investment! :-|
On my axle swap, the hardest part was redoing the brake lines and working around the emergency cable.
I'm reading up on setting up a rear end now.
DaveP
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
Having a set of gears installed in a 2wd truck should be in the two to three hundred dollar range. On a side note my top speed increased by changing from a 3.31 gear ratio to a 4.30 ratio, I can get alot more rpms out of overdrive now.
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