Gear and tire changes
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New User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Gear and tire changes
I plan on getting a Fabtech 6" lift kit and 35" tall tires, what gear ratio would be best? 4.10 or 4.56? Also is there any suspension lift kits for a 1997 F150 that are bigger than 6"? Also what tires do you suggest I get? (I Plan on getting mud tires, maybe PJ Dirt grips or swampers)
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Joined: Jun 2004
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You prob have a 3.55 stock. Ive looked into this for my 02 FX4 5.4L with 3.55 gears and 35" mud terrains. In order for your truck to be back to where you were stock, you would need about 3.90gears, a 4.10 would give you an effective ratio of about 3.73. In order to really gain anything in my opinion you would need to go 4.56 gears which will give you around an effective ratio of about 4.10 gears. Keep in mind whatever gear you put in, you still have to compensate for the larger tires. Do some searching on here for a gear/calc chart if you havent seen one, this will give you some answers. Finally I run a tire from BigO Tires, its a mud terrain pretty much the same tire as ProComps mud terrain. I like the tire and it has great tread life, rides smooth and is quiet, plus they were very inexpensive. I would recommend that tire or ProComp, or BFGs. Check out ProComp every few months they will have buy 3 tires get one free! Good Luck!
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Thanks, I have one more question, I can no longer read the marking on my axles, I am curious why type do I have? 1997 F150 5.4L V8 supercab short bed, the axle has 12 bolts, would the manual have that in there? If so mine is missing, please help.
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My FX4 has the 9.75 "Im 99% sure." and is 3.55 gears. And I think mine is the 12 bolt pattern also. Id be pretty sure your a 3.55 also! I dont know if it is in the manual cuz I dont have a manual, bought my truck used. Look at the sticker in your door and see what axle code your truck has. You can find a place on this website that will give you descriptions, and how to read the codes on the sticker. But im sorry I cant remember where you find it....just do a search on here!
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a 8.8 and a 9.75 has 12 bolts if it is sorta oval shaped it is a 8.8 and if it is a funky cant hardly describe shape it is a 9.75 with a 5.4 4x4 and off road package with skids it probly is a 9.75 axle with 3.55 gears with a locker. and the tags on the diff cover bolts should tell
