2004 F250 headers
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2004 F250 headers
First post! I'm sure this has been posted before but I have a question regarding my new truck! I bought a 2004 f250 4x4 with a 5.4 4inch lift and some 35's it has a airaid intake and a cat back system. The power is a little less then I hoped and revs alittle high on the freeway so I'm hoping a little extra power will help low end torque as well as fuel mileage on the freeway. i'm looking at some JBA shorties just want to know if anyone knows if they are worth it? Will I really see any power gains or mileage improvement? thanks
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
You should see some noticeable gains, it will compliment what you have already done nicely. I do recommend the JBAs, very good quality, well designed. Might I suggest getting a Bama tuner to compliment the package as well. Most the things you have done will not help economy much, but the tuner can.
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thanks! I have heard mixed reviews with programmers in gas motors but in my case would really be looking for something to help shifts points more so then engine management.You suggest Bama? never heard of it but i will do someresearch. also my truck has 3.73 gears would 4.10 be better? I'm not sure how my lift and tires would play a factor? I think I'm going to do the headers! should I buy them new or try to find some on ebay?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
thanks! I have heard mixed reviews with programmers in gas motors but in my case would really be looking for something to help shifts points more so then engine management.You suggest Bama? never heard of it but i will do someresearch. also my truck has 3.73 gears would 4.10 be better? I'm not sure how my lift and tires would play a factor? I think I'm going to do the headers! should I buy them new or try to find some on ebay?
Headers and Ebay y-pipe help perk the engine up a bit but they are NOwhere near to what a proper regear will do.
I'm running 33s and have 3:73 gears on my 04' 6.8l SD. I plan to swap gears to 4:30s and a detroit truetrac next year.
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what should I expect to pay for a gear swap? so 4.56? should I buy gears then have a shop install?or just take it in and get it done all together or attempt on my own?? also how do i verify that i have 3.73? I'm pretty sure I do but i guess I'm not 100% certain? thanks
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Lubbock, Texas
gearing is bringing down the mileage, with the 35"s if you plan to go no bigger than 4.10"s will do the trick, still let you tow and you will still maintain some mileage up top. To much higher and your truck will have to rev higher to maintian crusing speeds. Headers will work well with whats already been done, and i suggest the tuner too. You may want to make sure that your truck has'nt already been regeared, by the way it sounds you bought it in its current condition? My mind is dead right now, but im sure there is away to see what gear size you have if you take off the diff cover. That could explain the high rev's at crusing, or if the gearing is to low then the truck isn't shifting into over drive which is also causing the high rev's at crusing, re gearing is pretty spendy, figure around 800 ish per axle, parts included.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
There is a replacement y-pipe for your application that would be a good idea for your application. DFK has the link, or just search for it on ebay. It fits the V10 too.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
what should I expect to pay for a gear swap? so 4.56? should I buy gears then have a shop install?or just take it in and get it done all together or attempt on my own?? also how do i verify that i have 3.73? I'm pretty sure I do but i guess I'm not 100% certain? thanks
As to determine the gear ratio, it is in the code on the door. Also with stock 32" tires and 3;73 gears I was running at 2k rpm @ 70mph in OD with my truck. (4spd AOD)
I think you'll be super happy with 4:56 gears, they will make your truck come alive.
Heres a link to the SD tech folder. You can decifer your VIN # and find out what the numbers and letter of you VIN mean thus finding out which gears your truck came with from factory. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...tml#post863209
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yep i have 3.73 limeted-slip. I'm not super worried about towing I only plan on towing a mid sized boat with it and maybe a 20ft trailer with my 67' bug on it so really not too much weight what would be the best gear for typical freeway driving? say 75mph and I want 2000rpm? as it stands it jumps back and forth from OD to 3rd 1900rpm to 2600-2800rpm all down the freeway Im not racing anyone on the freeway so 75 is good for me lately 65-70 is best for the rpm's. Maybe gears are more then what I need cost to payoff ratio wise? I saw the y-pipe very cool I will be buying it when i return home from vacation next week. Also i found the diablo predator tuner but not the BAMA for my truck? sounds like the tuner will be the best for me i can adjust the shift points that best suit my needs right? as it stands now it will be headers,tuner and y-pipe. when i get headers should i find one with a whole new down y-pipe or just get the headers from JBA and the y-pipe off ebay. thanks for everything!!
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
yep i have 3.73 limeted-slip. I'm not super worried about towing I only plan on towing a mid sized boat with it and maybe a 20ft trailer with my 67' bug on it so really not too much weight what would be the best gear for typical freeway driving? say 75mph and I want 2000rpm? as it stands it jumps back and forth from OD to 3rd 1900rpm to 2600-2800rpm all down the freeway Im not racing anyone on the freeway so 75 is good for me lately 65-70 is best for the rpm's. Maybe gears are more then what I need cost to payoff ratio wise? I saw the y-pipe very cool I will be buying it when i return home from vacation next week. Also i found the diablo predator tuner but not the BAMA for my truck? sounds like the tuner will be the best for me i can adjust the shift points that best suit my needs right? as it stands now it will be headers,tuner and y-pipe. when i get headers should i find one with a whole new down y-pipe or just get the headers from JBA and the y-pipe off ebay. thanks for everything!!
For a tuner I recommend SCT with a custom tune thats what I run and its very flexible and works great. I got my tunes from Mike at 5star tuning. www.5startuning.com
I would go with the 4:56 gears, SCT tuner and Ebay y-pipe. You can hold off on the headers. The 3 items I listed will make your truck come alive.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: nebraska
Great post DKF. Yup gears should be top proirity one your truck that will make a huge difference on your power. Hey welcome to the site. Hey bud your truck sounds like a nice one Post a pic off it when you can. Good Luck with everything on your truck. Hope you get the desired results.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: North west La
I had the JBA shorty headers on my 97 F150. They didn't add enough power to be worth the cost.I got no gains at the track after I put them on. Plus they are a bear to install. I'd use a set of long tube headers if you want more power. The guys above are right. Your tall tires & 3.73 gears are the cause of your power loss. I bet you can put stock tires on the truck & have plenty of power.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Your JBA shorty headers probably offered no gains because something else in the system was not right. A system is only as good as its weakest component. Shorty headers are noticeable improvement over stock manifolds, and compliment tuners nicely.
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