Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

What would you do??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 09:58 AM
  #1  
Pocket's Avatar
Pocket
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
What would you do??

Ok, my truck is an '02 4x4 7.3L. I'm running with a 6" lift and 325/65r20 tires (basically 35.6" tall tires). I still have the stock 3.73 gears and I'm finally getting around to swaping them out. My question is:

Would you go with 4.10's or 4.30's?

I don't tow very often. I do offroad and race on occasion, and will do more in the future. Mostly it's my daily driver. I live in Colorado and I'm tired of lugging the engine at low rpm's when driving up a mountain pass behind traffic. Right now my truck gets great mileage, and I'd like to keep as much of that as possible (which is why I'm not looking at anything over 4.30's)

Right now I'm leaning towards 4.10's, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 10:07 AM
  #2  
bf250's Avatar
bf250
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
i would just keep the 3.73, but if you feel the need to switch, then 4.10 would be my choice.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 10:59 AM
  #3  
EnviroCon's Avatar
EnviroCon
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 1
From: Milky Way Galaxy
I'd go with the 4.30's. But I'm mostly a rockcrawler person, so I think I'm stuck in a "lower is better" mind-frame. Going from basically a 32" tire to the 35.6" tire has given you a new effective gear ratio of 3.35. To get back to an equivalent ratio you'd need 4.15's. Since they're not made, why not bump-up to a 4.30. This would give you just a bit more low-end grunt than the 4.10's, while not being to hard on the MPG's. But having a diesel with low-end grunt anyways means that even if you were to go with the 4.10's, you'd still be just fine.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 11:03 AM
  #4  
wlihntr's Avatar
wlihntr
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
4.10,s will give you an effective ratio of 3.69 and the 4.30,s will be 3.87. i would go with the 4.30,s because of the added weight of the tires and wheels, and the added wind resistance of your lifted truck.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 02:50 PM
  #5  
PowerstrokeJunkie's Avatar
PowerstrokeJunkie
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
if i were you, i would go to a 4.30. im getting 36's in the next two weeks, and im saving up for 4.30's in the future. i have 3.73's and i do agree that a 3.73 is way to tall of a gear. idle down the highway at 55 mph
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 07:11 PM
  #6  
Geneoh's Avatar
Geneoh
Senior User
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Goodrich IL
Well a guy like myself would pass right by the 4.30's and go with 4.56
4.56 gears will put a bigger smile on your face
My truck is gas V10 with 34in tires 4.10 gears suck! 430's would not be worth the cost!
If your not running a WHOLE lot of hi-way I'd say 4.56
Nothing like a little bit of a edge.....

Gene
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 08:43 PM
  #7  
PowerstrokeJunkie's Avatar
PowerstrokeJunkie
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Originally Posted by Geneoh
Well a guy like myself would pass right by the 4.30's and go with 4.56
4.56 gears will put a bigger smile on your face
My truck is gas V10 with 34in tires 4.10 gears suck! 430's would not be worth the cost!
If your not running a WHOLE lot of hi-way I'd say 4.56
Nothing like a little bit of a edge.....

Gene
yeah, i was going to suggest 4.56's. he gave me two choices, and i thought it would be better if i picked one of the options he gave. your v10 doesnt' have the low-speed torque to churn over those tires with authority. (dont get me wrong, they are hosses)
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 08:46 PM
  #8  
PHWLEE's Avatar
PHWLEE
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: New York
I had the 3.73's and I went with the 4.30's. I am very happy I did. It has more torque and acceleration now.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Brett Foote
story-4

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

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

 Brett Foote
story-8

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 09:03 PM
  #9  
Pocket's Avatar
Pocket
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Well I've decided on the 4.30's. But the shop can't find the right one for my truck. They have the Dana 60 gears, but not the Sterling. Anyone know where to find them?
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 09:14 PM
  #10  
PowerstrokeJunkie's Avatar
PowerstrokeJunkie
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
well, if they cant find 10.25 gears, i would be hesitant about them. make sure you get the high-pinion (reverse cut i believe) instead of regular rear-axle use.

here is where i would buy my stuff. randy's got some cool stuff.

http://www.ringpinion.com/content/pr...sp?vid=3&pid=4
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 09:30 PM
  #11  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

4.30 or better. Do it once.


Dick

Randy's or Reider racing
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 09:33 PM
  #12  
EnviroCon's Avatar
EnviroCon
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 1
From: Milky Way Galaxy
I'll third Randy's, great customer service.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2006 | 10:13 PM
  #13  
PHWLEE's Avatar
PHWLEE
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: New York
Yep, Randy's Ring and Pinion is where I got mine from. I got two Yukon ring and pinion gearsets and two master overhaul kits from them. But when the shop did the install, they found a few missing seals and something about a seal not being the right one. They had the right ones in stock, so make sure the shop you pick has the ability to do the job if parts are needed.
 
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2006 | 07:51 AM
  #14  
KubotaOrange76's Avatar
KubotaOrange76
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,144
Likes: 2,631
From: GA
4.30's no doubt

i love our 03 6 spd cab and chassis with 4.10's and stock tires, you should be happy with 4.30 and 35's
 
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2006 | 05:33 PM
  #15  
Pocket's Avatar
Pocket
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Thanks for the help.

The shop here does quite a few trucks and Superduties, and I was referred to this shop by someone I trust. They just don't sell the 4.30's very often, which is why they are having a hard time finding the right ring and pinion set. Most superduties that come out of that shop are lifted 8 inches or more, and the guy helping me out said they do 4.56's all the time.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:55 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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