HELP! Gear ratio change forthcoming.....
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
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HELP! Gear ratio change forthcoming.....
and I can't decide which ratio would be best. I have it narrowed down to the 4.30 or the 4.56. I've been driving the V10 for 4 months now and judging by the way it pulls my boat I'm afraid it may not have the umphh to pull the 36ft 5th wheel which weighs in at 12,600 lbs. It has the 4.10 gears in it now.
Any thoughts? Thanks.
Wendell
Any thoughts? Thanks.
Wendell
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Apex, N.C.
I pull my 8000# 28' travel trailer with 4.30's with no problem, however your unit weighs approx. 4500# more. Also with a fifth wheel you are going to have more wind resistance than I do. If you've got to do a re-gear anyway you probably would be better of with the 4.56. Just my opinion.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Is the towing really that bad?? I have 3.73's in my '01 F250, that I use to pull my ~10K lb, 35ft Travel trailer.
Yeah, it won't pull away from a dead stop as fast as the higher gears, but I still have no problem pulling it. Plus, the better gas mileage (however marginal) when not towing is certainly a plus.
Even with the 3.73's, I can still smoke the tires when I want to....
Yeah, it won't pull away from a dead stop as fast as the higher gears, but I still have no problem pulling it. Plus, the better gas mileage (however marginal) when not towing is certainly a plus.
Even with the 3.73's, I can still smoke the tires when I want to....
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
4.10 to 4.30 is 5% increase in torque-to-the-ground
4.10 to 4.56 is 11%
5% might not be worth it.
On the other hand, looks like you have a 3-valve V10. Have you changed fuel filter, cleaned the MAF, and done whatever other tuneup things like air filter?
4.10 to 4.56 is 11%
5% might not be worth it.
On the other hand, looks like you have a 3-valve V10. Have you changed fuel filter, cleaned the MAF, and done whatever other tuneup things like air filter?
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A couple of thousand!! Holy crap! I priced the new ring and pinion for around $400.00 and my son who's a fairly good mechanic said he would do the install for a six pack. Am I missing something?
I've put a new fuel filter on, changed to a full synthetic oil, transmission fluid service, cleaned the MAF and cleaned the throttle body.
Today I had a flowmaster FM70 BB installed. That sounds great!! No drone, just a sweet purring sound. BSEG!!
I might just pull the fiver first and see how it does before jumping off into the rearend. Good advice!!
Wendell
I've put a new fuel filter on, changed to a full synthetic oil, transmission fluid service, cleaned the MAF and cleaned the throttle body.
Today I had a flowmaster FM70 BB installed. That sounds great!! No drone, just a sweet purring sound. BSEG!!
I might just pull the fiver first and see how it does before jumping off into the rearend. Good advice!!
Wendell
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,627
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From: South Carolina
bama210
My opinion; i would suggest the like others have said, Hook up 5th wheel first see how it does for you, it may surprise you never know. If you are still wanting more maybe look at getting some sort of flash tuner run something like a 91+ octane calibration when towing, then try pulling 5th wheel again...If you still need more, then go to the gears. And with the gears installed you could use the flash tuner to reset the shift points and torque converter points back to stock.
My opinion; i would suggest the like others have said, Hook up 5th wheel first see how it does for you, it may surprise you never know. If you are still wanting more maybe look at getting some sort of flash tuner run something like a 91+ octane calibration when towing, then try pulling 5th wheel again...If you still need more, then go to the gears. And with the gears installed you could use the flash tuner to reset the shift points and torque converter points back to stock.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
I agree pull the 5ver and see how it goes first.
A gear change for a 4X4 with labor is about $2k. A 4wd needs a ring/ pinion for the front and back. Then add the synthetic gear oil, any install hardware like bearings and etc then tack on labor. It adds up.
A gear change for a 4X4 with labor is about $2k. A 4wd needs a ring/ pinion for the front and back. Then add the synthetic gear oil, any install hardware like bearings and etc then tack on labor. It adds up.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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I wouldn't let a "fairly good" mech dial in my gears. It's more than just swapping parts.
I'd also go straight to a 4.56 and would even consider a 4.88.
As Krewat has pointed out the % difference between your stock gears and 4.30s wouldn't be worth the trouble of a swap. Better gas and a performance tune will net you 5% and no one will have to get dirty.
I'd also go straight to a 4.56 and would even consider a 4.88.
As Krewat has pointed out the % difference between your stock gears and 4.30s wouldn't be worth the trouble of a swap. Better gas and a performance tune will net you 5% and no one will have to get dirty.
New User
Joined: Apr 2008
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I have an 04 350 DRW with 430 gears. I tow a 37 ft Raptor toy hauler with motorcycle and wheeler inside. Dry weight around 14000. We have been in Co for month now. Have done Raton pass, Monarch and Lizard head pass. Done a decent job on passes great elsewhere. Wouldnt want to tackle Red Mtn or one of the harder pases though. I would definitely go to 456 if I was spending the money. Before next summer I may go to 456 or 488.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 259
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From: SPARKS NEVADA
A couple of thousand!! Holy crap! I priced the new ring and pinion for around $400.00 and my son who's a fairly good mechanic said he would do the install for a six pack. Am I missing something?
Wendell[/quote]
I switched out my 3.73's for 4.30's and it cost $1,600. Was well worth the increased towing capacity, but if you do switch, go with the 4.56 or 4.88's.
I wish I did!!!
Wendell[/quote]
I switched out my 3.73's for 4.30's and it cost $1,600. Was well worth the increased towing capacity, but if you do switch, go with the 4.56 or 4.88's.
I wish I did!!!