Axle gearing
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR
Around $500 for parts and $500 for labor, plus or minus a couple hundred. 3.73 to 4.10 isn't a huge change, only 10%. If you're planning on ever running larger than stock tires I'd go with 4.30s. I have 35s with the 6.0L and TorqShift auto and I have 4.30s arriving today.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
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Gearing
The reason for my inquiry, is that I am looking at buying a 5th wheel camper. The one that I want weights 6700lbs. dry(9500 GVWR). I found another that I liked but its GVWR is around 11k. I was just thinking of what it would take to adapt my truck to haul the heavier trailer.
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Vancover, WA
Are you running oversize tires? Will you be towing most of the time? Or only occasionally? If you are running the stock tire size, and will only tow occasionally, I personally would not change the gear ratio.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
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Gearing
I have the factory upgraded 18" tires and wheels. I don't plan on going with anything larger. As for towing, probably 6 to 8 times a year. Some short trips (100 miles or less), most medium trips (between 100 and 500 miles), and maybe one long trip (more than 500 miles) each year. My favorite destination is the mountains of North Carolina. That is my biggest concern. Will the 5.4L with a 3.73 haul a 10k+lb. 5th wheel in the mountains?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
If you tow 11k often you'll wish you had a diesel with 4.30s. The 5.4 with 3.73s is going to be pretty weak and get horrible mileage. For heavy towing with the 5.4 I'd say 4.30s would be the minimum.
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From: Wake Forest, NC
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
$500 for rear gears is super high!! OEM from your dealer is around $300.
$500 for install is about right. Maybe more depending on the shop.
I second the 4.30's if your gonna bother. Sit tight. Once cartmanea realizes his 4.30's are too steep he'll give you a good deal on his rear set!
$500 for install is about right. Maybe more depending on the shop.
I second the 4.30's if your gonna bother. Sit tight. Once cartmanea realizes his 4.30's are too steep he'll give you a good deal on his rear set!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
4.30s will be perfect 
With 35s, 4.30s are only 5% lower than stock. I did the math, it will put me right at the sweet spot in my rpms running 65 on the freeway.
Yes, $500 for rears is low, but I'm including cost of the install kit. I priced it out and it was right at $1000 for parts for both ends, however the front D60 gears were the more expensive of the two, maybe $400 with kit would have been a better guess. Luckily I found a full set on Ebay for about half the cost of new.
Check out ringpinion.com, they carry Yukon gears when I believe are the best other than OEM. For towing and since you just have to buy rears you may look into the OEM gears, I believe they carry those too.
With 35s, 4.30s are only 5% lower than stock. I did the math, it will put me right at the sweet spot in my rpms running 65 on the freeway.Yes, $500 for rears is low, but I'm including cost of the install kit. I priced it out and it was right at $1000 for parts for both ends, however the front D60 gears were the more expensive of the two, maybe $400 with kit would have been a better guess. Luckily I found a full set on Ebay for about half the cost of new.
Check out ringpinion.com, they carry Yukon gears when I believe are the best other than OEM. For towing and since you just have to buy rears you may look into the OEM gears, I believe they carry those too.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
Depends on how fast your drive, I usually keep it at 65 on the highway so my rpms will be right at 2000 with my tires, which is pretty much optimal for the 6.0L. Lower gears usually help you around town if you keep your foot out of it because it takes less fuel to put the same torque to the wheels.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
For towing and since you just have to buy rears you may look into the OEM gears, I believe they carry those too.
Ti sis all a mute point, however, if you just get the trailer that you want.
At only 6700lbs GVWR, you should be good to go.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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if you are wanting to pull 11k in the mountains the 4.30's will help. i have the 4.10's but i don't tow in the moutains. you will not lose much mpg's. it will do a little better in town, better when towing, and might go down a little on the highway. if you really want that camper, and are going to spend the money then i would get the 4.30 just to be on the safe side.
New User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
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Personaly For What You Are Going To Be Doing And How Often I Would Stay With The 3.73 And Mabye Do A Programer The Truck Should Pull Ok Even In The Hills
You Might Not Get The Best Mpg But It Dose Not Seem Worth The Cost And Time. I Personal Like The 3.73 They Seem To Be The Best All Around Gear For The Ford I Have Owned. The Biggest Thing Would Be How Fast Do You Want To Drag The Trailer Up The Hills. Good Luck
You Might Not Get The Best Mpg But It Dose Not Seem Worth The Cost And Time. I Personal Like The 3.73 They Seem To Be The Best All Around Gear For The Ford I Have Owned. The Biggest Thing Would Be How Fast Do You Want To Drag The Trailer Up The Hills. Good Luck
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