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Sep 11, 2007 | 12:50 PM

01 superduty

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Gears

I have a 2001 Superduty regular cab xlt 4x4 with the v-10.it has 53,000 miles on it and has been a good truck, except i had to change the manifold studs but it wasn't that tough of a job. I am starting to pull more and it does pretty good but I was wondering about gears. I have 3:73 right now with 285 tires. If I put 4:30 gears in will it make much difference? Also will it make it run harder with out a trailer behind it, just looking for a little more power, can't afford a diesel and don't like the noise. Also does the 4:30's hurt the gas mileage that bad ?

Sep 11, 2007 | 12:56 PM

PHWLEE

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From: New York

Yes, it will make a BIG difference. It will give you more low end torque and acceleration. With a 4x4 you are looking at maybe $1700 installed for both axles. I had mine changed last year and would do it again in a heartbeat. Only real difference off the top of my head is that on the highway doing say 65mph, your engine will be doing around 2200-2300 rpms instead of 1700-1800 rpms so that will effect your MPG's a little. Not much though. I went with Yukon gearsets and had a local axle shop install them for me. Check out Randy's Ring and Pinion online. They had the best prices and delivered in two days.

Sep 11, 2007 | 12:59 PM

Fredvon4

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Welcome to the FTE V10 forum

Because this is your #1 post I assume you did not search or cruise back through all the thread topics... we answer this question a LOT

Several of us here recommend the swap to 4.10 or 4.30 as the absolute most bang for the buck you can do...

You will probably see less then a 1 MPG hit with the swap from 3.73 to 4.30 depending on your right foot (the 4.30 make these trucks real FUN) There are Many many owners who did the swap amd reporrt a MPG gain.... That was because the 3.73:1s were also trying to twist over sized tires and moved the cruise RPM down out of the sweet spot

The sweet spot on your 2v V10 is between 2100~2250RPM at 70~75 MPH

Sep 11, 2007 | 02:42 PM

i eat hybrids

Post Fiend

Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Ohio

Is that why u guys can always break loose? I always hear about v-10s breaking loose but i can never get mine to do it?

Sep 11, 2007 | 04:17 PM

01 superduty

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Thanks guys, it sounds like it will really help. I am going to order a set, thanks again

Sep 11, 2007 | 05:31 PM

Fredvon4

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Joined: Jan 2002

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29" to 32" tall tires react well to the 4.10
33" to 35s get the 4.30
36" to 38" 4.56 or 4.88 set

I can assure you that with larger tires you will need a lift AND deeper gears and you will LOOSE MPG not only from the much heavier and larger tires but also from wind drag of the lifted truck....Monster Trucks look cool and are cool but they cost a bunch to do right and maintain and feed

Sep 11, 2007 | 09:13 PM

sandman3510

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Just as an FYI, here's what I calculated out figuring a .82 overdrive ratio (not sure exactly what the OD ratio is, that was a guess figuring the RPM my truck runs at 65mph):

tire size /Tire dia /speed /gear ratio/rpm @.82 OD /RPM diff from stock
265 /31.7 /65 /3.73 /2108 /-
285 /32.8 /65 /3.73 /2037 /-71

265 /31.7 /65 /4.1 /2317 /+209
285 /32.8 /65 /4.1 /2239 /+131

265 /31.7 /65 /4.3 /2430 /+322
285 /32.8 /65 /4.3 /2348 /+240

Hope you understand my chart, hope this helps. Right now I'm thinking of sticking with my 265 tire size and leave the gears alone, because I don't need the expense right now. She's got plenty of power to turn the tires

with the 3.73's in there now

Last edited by sandman3510; Sep 11, 2007 at 09:15 PM.

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Sep 11, 2007 | 10:39 PM

paul

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O1 superduty , I have almost the same setup as you with 51,000 miles on my 01 F-350 4x4 supercab V-10 with 3.73 gears. If you tow allot and if you tow heavy loads the lower gears will be beneficial, especially with your larger tires. I only tow a 6000 lb. travel trailer, and with the 265 tires it does very well. I only tow about 5% of the time so the rest of the time the 3.73's are really sweet for traveling on the highway and are good for mileage. You might see if you can find / borrow a set of 265 tires to see if works better for you before you drop $1700 for a gear swap.

Sep 12, 2007 | 05:22 AM

#10

sandman3510

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Updated calcs with .72 OD (auto trans):

tire size /Tire dia /speed /gear ratio /rpm @.72 OD /RPM diff from stock
265 /31.7 /65 /3.73 /1851 /-
285 /32.8 /65 /3.73 /1789 /-62

265 /31.7 /65 /4.1 /2034 /+183
285 /32.8 /65 /4.1 /1966 /+115

265 /31.7 /65 /4.3 /2134 /+283
285 /32.8 /65 /4.3 /2062 /+211

Sep 12, 2007 | 05:26 AM

#11

sandman3510

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One more post without figuring overdrive (high gear, 1:1 ratio):

tire size /Tire dia /speed /gear ratio /rpm NO OD /RPM diff from stock
265 /31.7 /65 /3.73 /2570 /-
285 /32.8 /65 /3.73 /2484 /-86

265 /31.7 /65 /4.1 /2825 /+255
285 /32.8 /65 /4.1 /2730 /+160

265 /31.7 /65 /4.3 /2963 /+393
285 /32.8 /65 /4.3 /2864 /+294