Well, finally installed my 4.30 gears this past weekend, and WOW, what a difference! I forgot my truck even had accelleration after driving around on my 35's with 3.08 gears for the last 2 months.

I also installed an Auburn Pro-Series limited slip rear diff while I was at it. I was just going to go with a No-Slip, but I figured the Auburn unit would be a little more forgiving on the street and still offer great off-road performance. One note on the diff. though; if you're running gears higher than 4.11 you will need a special pin that is notched to clear the ring gear (Jeg's wasn't nice enought to tell me this!). I ended up having to (ever so slightly) grind the inner edge of one of the teeth on the gear to get the pin out. It's nowhere near my mesh pattern, so I should be ok (I HOPE!).

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Lift w/35's
And STILL waiting to get my 4.30 gears installed!!!!
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

LOL....guess I can update my signiture now huh?

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Lift w/35's
And STILL waiting to get my 4.30 gears installed!!!!
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

I'd read about that little bit of surgery somewhere, but I think it was in connection with a Dodge.

Dawg: I'm only running 4.10s, can I still come out and play with you big boys?

Eddie

 

LOLOL.....sure, the more the merrier!

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Lift w/35's
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30 gears
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Dear Traildawg...

Could you please take the time to explain the ratios to me? I'm mechanically inclined, just know next to nothing about transmissions. My Mazda manual trans SUCKS, to say the least, and the syncro's are going (per my dad's advice).

You put 3.08's in? What does this mean?

Thanks!
-Nick.

Everyone else includes their truck in their .sig file so here is mine:
1996 F-150 XLT Pacific Green Metallic
Mods: Perm mounted CB with Dual Cobra antennas, 3" body lift, 31" tires, and a bunch of other smaller stuff.

 

Sorry, you put 4.30's in...

 

Hey Traildawg, 4.30s with 35s, what rpm are you at around 70-75 mph? I forgot if you have an AOD or 5 speed, so lemme know that two. I'm upgrading to 33s after my lift, and just wanna get an idea of what I can expect (goin ARB with ?.?? gears).

1989 F-150 : 5.0, shorty headers, Flowmaster cat-back, K&N filtercharger intake, March pulleys, MSD-6T, soon to be Mass-Air...doesn't know she's not a Mustang

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-May-01 AT 10:32 AM (EST)[/font][p]
The 4.30 refers to the rear end gears. My stock gears were the 3.08:1 ratio, which means the pinion/driveshaft turns 3.08 times for every full turn of the ring gear/axles. The lower (numerically higher) gear rations provide better acceleration, but will take away from top speed, and vise-versa for higher (numerically lower) ratios.

When making a noticable change in tire size, it is highly recommended to change the rear end gears accordingly to retain acceleration and performance. I went from 29" tires to 35's, and with the 3.08's still in I lost use of my OD. With the 4.30's in now, I have my OD back and my cruising RPM is very close to what I was originally at originally. The easiest way I've found to calculate what gears are needed for you'r larger tires is this simple formula:

(New Tire Diameter/Old Tire Diameter) * Stock Gear Ratio = New Gear Ratio

Example:

(35/29) * 3.08 = 3.717 (3.73 is closest offered)

I wanted a bit more bottom end power and acceleration, so I plugged in a ratio of 3.55 for my stock ratio (which was the optional ratio offered by Ford).

(35/29) * 3.55 = 4.285 (4.30 is closest offered)

Ok, TrailDawg's "Gearing 101" class is now dismissed. :P


TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Lift w/35's
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30 gears
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-May-01 AT 10:37 AM (EST)[/font][p]hotrod, I'm running about 2100-2200 on the highway, which is about the same as stock with 235/75R15's and a 3.55 ratio. I have the E4OD overdrive auto trans. It's basically a C6 with an electronic OD added to it. Just wish they were built as good as the old C6's were. lol


As for gearing for 33's, I'd go with either 3.55's (equivelant to 3.08's stock)or 3.90-4.10's (equivelant to 3.55's stock). I know there's alot of guys on here running the 4.10's with 33's, and they seem to really like the combination.


TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Lift w/35's
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30 gears
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

If you do a lot of highway driving you might want to consider 3.73's. I went from 3.08's to 4.10's and it was a bit of a culture shock when I took the truck out for that first drive. The gearing did work in after a few thousand Km's and feels better but their are times on the highway where I wish I had 3.73's. I don't believe they make a 3.90 for 8.8 and Dana 44's.
With 4.10's you will run higher RPM's but my gas mileage has not diminished all that much. I still get 15-16 mpg on the highway and about 14-15 in the city. Off-road the baby will crawl, crawl, crawl..


WHaynes


93 F150 4.9L 4x4
4" ProComp StII Lift
BFG 33in 4.10's
Detroit TrueTrac's

 

I'm still running 31-10.50X15s, and highway rpm @ 70 is around 2700-2800.

I noticed an MPG decrease, I can assure you!

Fun playing stoplight Grand Prix, tho...

Say, would those of you with 33s and a lift (specify) get a cab height measurement for me?

I'd like to go 33s next tire change time, but I park in a parking garage, and those joists are awful close...

Eddie

 

LOL.....you wanting to still be able to park in the garage there Eddie?

I'm not sure about mines height, but I do know it just BARELY fits into the garage now. I have about 3/4" clearance on what I think is a 7' door. It scares me every time I pull in, but it fits. LOL

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Pro-Comp Stage II Lift w/35's
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30 gears
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

My truck measures about 6'5. It sure is fun on those trips downtown where the only parking is in low garages.

WH.

93 F150 4.9L 4x4
4" ProComp StII Lift
BFG 33in 4.10's
Detroit TrueTrac's

 

hey traildog,
did you order the gear set from jeg's too or from someplace local? i have a '79 f-250 with 3.73 gears (best as i can tell from the rolling tire in driveway method since the codes are obliviated from the door frame). i raised it a little and put 35"s on and now i have a rough just getting up to highway speeds let alone passing. time to upgrade the gears but am looking for the cheapest way possible. also, do you mind letting me know about the price involved of you had them installed from a pro or did you do them yourself? thanks man

'79 F-250 4X4 300/T18 with 35" grabber mt's

 

I got the gears from Summit. Their a Ford MotorSport set, so Jeg's could also get them for you. I wouldn't reccomment getting the 4.30's if you don't have and OD trans though, you'd be better off somewhere around 4.10's.

As for install price, one ow my wheeling buddies is a mechanic so I got off pretty cheap at $60. I know when I first called around though that I got quotes ranging from $125 to $400. Mechanics don't like doing them, so they usually hike the prices way up to scare ya off, or make doing it worth their time.

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
6" Pro-Comp Stage II Lift w/35's
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30 gears
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg