Hi, thinking of getting a V-10. see alot of them and they are way cheaper than a diesel. i live at 3300 ft. and tow a 4000# baja from may til september only a 100 mile round trip. i have a 5.4 F-150 with 3.73 and it does a great job. with the weight of the EX V-10 should i go with 3.73 or 4.30 gearing. also will there be a huge mileage diff between the two. Thanks!

 

LynnB,

I've had both gears behind my V10 and can speak from a little bit of practical experience.

I tow much heavier than you do though but you live at a higher elevation as well...

My opinion is that the V10 and 4.30 gearing is a PERFECT match from an RPM powerband standpoint. The 3.73's is a compromise IMO. Don't get me wrong...I tugged my 7500# high wind profile travel trailer 7000 miles with them thru the Black Hills, Big Horns and Rockies and it got me to the top of EVERY hill...I just had to run her up in 1st gear to 5000 RPMs on the STEEPEST and TALLEST of passes (9700') but I don't play around on those passes very often...

Where I think the 4.30's is better is that it keeps the V10 at ~2200 RPMs while in OD...much lower than that and the trans wants to shift at the smallest (and I mean the smallest) of incline. You have a moderate altitude issue as well.

From an MPG standpoint...I can ONLY help with towing as I don't drive the Ex much unloaded on the highway.

I can say that in my 4 mile each way local commute...I've actually INCREASED my MPGs by about 1 with the 4.30's. My theory is that with the 4.30's it shifts so FAST thru the gears now my overall RPMs during the commute are actually LOWER. I can be in 3rd gear BEFORE I hit 30mph!!!

Towing wise (remember I towed 7500#'s last year and ~9000#'s this year) I am averaging 8mpgs overall in 11,000 miles of towing. I've picked up the average for this years 4,400 miles of towing to 8.2 but I didn't venture to the Rockies either.

Having had both gears in this Ex...I can honestly say the V10 and 4.30's are much preferred. With the 3.73's always felt like the V10 was "hanging" on to shifts...with the 4.30's they are crisp...hard to describe...but my overall impressions are that I would NOT own a V10 without the 4.30's after driving mine after the gear swap...

Now remember that I do NOT drive highway or unloaded much so my situation is different than many.

For your load (4000#'s) behind a V10 Ex...you could get by in 3rd and pull most every hill (not mountain) you encountered...the V10 with 3.73's in 3rd gear at 65MPH will turn ~2700RPMs...the alternative is what I have in the 4.30's...OD at 65MPH turns ~2200 and pulls most every hill (not mountain).

Personally having had both you can tell I am high on the lower gears (4.30s).

Hope this helps.

joe.

 

I am also interested in the difference in milage as well. My driving is about 75% highway and I never tow.

 

I'd say it all depends on how much you tow and how often you tow with ur truck. If u tow alot i would go with the 4.30's. If you dont 4.10's. If was my truck i would go with 4.88's since i like torque. haha

 

4.30s is the way to go. My 2000 has 4.30s and my mixed driving average is 12.6mpg. That is when the wife drives, I average 13.6mpg. Other than hauling the family I don't tow with it, I had an F250 that handled all that. It was also a V10 with 4.30s.

 

yeah, the 4.30's will let you accelerate easier and quicker. i have the 3.73'sin my X and i baby my truck and get 10.6 cty/hwy driving. if you have the 3.73'snow, dont even think of wasting your time and $$$ to change to 4.10's. and if you are close to stock on tire size, dont even think of doing 4.88's.

 

Can any one break there tires loose on dry pavement with 3.73's and stock v-10?

 

I know I can but only if I powerbrake it and point the truck uphill.