gearing vs other performance options

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Jun 27, 2007 | 08:45 PM

terrys96

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gearing vs other performance options

I've got a 96 F250 Supercab 2wd Longbed with the 460, E40OD trans, and 3:55s that I'm using to pull a truck and trailer with (approx 6000lbs). It does fine around here where its mostly flat other than being kind of sluggish at takeoff but anytime I get into a hilly area it just bogs like crazy. I'm currently getting 6mpg city with no trailer city to 10mpg highway with trailer on

My instincts tell me that re-gearing would be the biggest bang for the $$$ improvement, however I do not know what ratio would be my best choice and how much (if at all) my mileage will be affected

However I'm also open to other suggestions that would improve my performance and allow me to keep my current ratio

Unfortuneately my budget is a little tight right now but hopefully I'll be able to do something with this soon

Jun 27, 2007 | 08:50 PM

Bruce R Leech

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From: Mulege south Baja ca. Mx.

it sounds like you may have other troubles if you are getting 6 with no trailer. I would get it running good first then maybe the 3.55s will be fine

Jun 27, 2007 | 09:07 PM

terrys96

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that 6 in the city # may not be quite accurate, the forward fuel tank has a leak at the seam I was unaware of at the time. I discovered the fuel leak right before I left on a 1200mi trip so I ran the front tank first and never let the truck sit with gas in it for extended periods of time which prob contributed to the mileage improvement

I've had the truck looked over twice and it appears to be fine, starts right up, no missing, hesitation, codes, or anything just kinda weak on hills & takeoff. It's got new plugs, wires & dist cap on it that the previous owner had put on just before selling

Jun 27, 2007 | 09:26 PM

Conanski

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

Is the exhaust system stock or close to stock? The big block REALLY benefits from opening up that cork of a system they hung under these trucks at the factory. Look at a 3-4" single all the way back and then advance the base timing a few degrees, milage and towing power will both improve.

Jun 28, 2007 | 07:36 AM

lostin90s

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From: Central PA

You are right for mile I had 2 F with460 E4od new they were lucky to break 11 MPG . But In you towing a lower set of gears will help with getting moving and stress on trans will be less. Give it a tune up and exhaust . But I'd still get the gears.

Last edited by lostin90s; Jun 28, 2007 at 07:39 AM.

Jun 28, 2007 | 12:18 PM

95Ford4x4

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From: Pensacola, FL

go with headers and a new exhaust first, this will give you more power on those hills and can also improve the mileage. 3.55 gears is a good all round gear ratio, but for a tow rig i'd have 4.10's. an aftermarket shift improvement kit for the tranny could also improve your takeoff and hill performance. and they are relatively simple to install.

Jun 28, 2007 | 09:23 PM

frederic

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From: New Jersey

Once you take care of the exhaust, make sure things are tuned properly, and install a basic shift kit, I'd personally leave te 3.55 gears in there, and possibly go to 3.25 (3.23? I forget), then install a gear vendors unit which can be ordered as a normal/overdrive or a normal/underdrive unit. The latter will bring your gear ratio up to 4.11 or so, giving you "on the fly" selectable 3.23 and 4.11 rear end gearing - great for highway, great for towing.