I really need to assess what I will be doing with this truck. I intend on keeping it. But I know I will have either a Tundra or Sequoia in my driveway as well. But it is nice having 2 vehicles ready to tow. (i installed a 2nd pocket for the Prodgiy in the X so I can move it over when needed).

Id like as much inof and experience thrown into this discussion as possible.

Based upon your experience, it sounds like the mpg's wont really change then, huh?

For extra power, I ordered the SPD perf y pipe. An inexpensive change that should do some good. If it doesnt, well, im only out the $90 shipped + whatever the 2 hrs labor will run me. I would hate to invest too much and not be happy either.

I did just pop in a k&n filter. I donty want extra noise but she needs to breathe.

 

Mine is all stock except for what you see in my sig.

 

I have changed my gears.

It cost me ~$1550 for parts, labor, synthetic fluid and tax on my 4x4...remember you must change both axles. Parts were more than I though they would be but that included two ring gears and two pinions and all the seals/bearings etc as part of the 'install' kits.

As I said in another thread today...gears are the single best performance enhancement for a V10 hands down IMO.

MPG wise I've never gotten the great mpgs others are able to get. I'm sure it is a combination of TT wind resistance on my high profile TT and driver habits...not sure.

MPG wise my 3.73's and 4.30's are pretty close to the same for towing (remember I mostly use my Ex for snow and tow duty). I have never driven my Ex much on the highway unloaded so I can't give you good unloaded mpg numbers other than what I call 'extreme' city driving. I drive 4 miles each way to work on city streets. I actually get slightly BETTER mpgs with 4.30s on that route than I did with 3.73's...I believe that is because the 4.30's cause the trans to shift much quicker and not 'hang' like it did with 3.73's. So I get into higher gears on my extreme commute quicker and my overall RPMs are actually lower...hence about a 0.5mpg gain with the 4.30's.

BUT...performance towing my 9000# TT all over the country is much improved.

I've tackled the Rockies with both 3.73's and 4.30's...so either can do it...however with 3.73's I was tugging a 7500# TT and my combined weight was about 15,500#'s. With my 4.30's I'm at 17,000#'s combined and climbed about 1500' higher peaks...so more weight and higher climbs and I'm satisfied...very satisfied...in the performance. To be honest...I really don't know what I'd do with more power...now an additional gear...that I'd take in a blink of an eye...it would make things much easier all around.

I'm actually disappointed Ford didn't put the 3V V10 with torqshift in the '05 Ex...but I digress...

Joe.

 

Yep, 4.30 gears is the way to go when towing anything significant. and while others have installed the Roadmaster kit, I installed a Hellwig rear sway bar (no rear sway bar from factory!) and it cured all my wandering problems I had. I also use Airlift airbags (universal) attached to the top of the springs and not from the axle to the frame (exact fit). I believe going from the axle to the frame unloads the spring and allows the X to wander more! I only need 25psi to keep my X up in the rear with my 1200lb tongue weight. I also use a Reese 1200lb Dual cam to make for a stable towing experience.