Best Gear Ratio.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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Best Gear Ratio.
Best gear ratio? I have 3.73's in my f350 and plan on pulling heavy loads but I don't want to sacrifice my gas mileage. I think 4.10's would be better but what about the mileage and cost of changing it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 7
From: Circle City
On my last powerstroke I went ahead and changed out my gear ratio from 4.10's to 3.55's and wow
what a difference.the taller gear ratio completely changed the characteristics so much that it was no longer a "tow beast" and became what I wanted it to become, a higway beast.
Since I never towed much with the thing and when I did it was just nominal and infrequent, instead of taching out at 60mph, it cruised at 73! and got great mileage.
The gears were taller and farther apart, especially between 2nd and third.
I would not recommend this modification to anyone unless they don't tow anything heavy and they also use their truck on flat ground because once towing in the mountains, it becomes very fickle.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
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From: Tustin, CA
I was reading this post, and I know if may be dead, but I have 3.73 in my 2003 F350 6.0l. I have 39" tires & an 11" lift, and it is a daily commuter truck. They run very nice at 70mph, pulling 1700-1800 rpms. It does fine with the moderate 4x4 I do. I know many would consider the 3.73's and 39"s a sin, but it does awesome on the highway.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
I'd stick with the 3.73s until you get close to a 35" tire, then 4.10s will put you back to the stock end ratio.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Parkersburg
What average speed do you plan on towing at? I have the 4.30 gears and around 60 I run at 2,000 rpm. My truck tows like a monster. It would be a lot of money to swap out gears for maybe 1 or 2 mpg's. I say if at aint broke don't fix it but I am also the one who cut off a perfectly good factory exhaust to install a bigger one also..
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
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From: Whittier, CA
I was reading this post, and I know if may be dead, but I have 3.73 in my 2003 F350 6.0l. I have 39" tires & an 11" lift, and it is a daily commuter truck. They run very nice at 70mph, pulling 1700-1800 rpms. It does fine with the moderate 4x4 I do. I know many would consider the 3.73's and 39"s a sin, but it does awesome on the highway.
That'll work for sure. You probably don't tow much, because you'd feel it. You probably don't get very good mileage, but WTH you ain't gonna with those tires and lift anyway. So why change it if it works? I would argue that you could improve your highway mileage by going to a lower gearing, but it would take a long time to make it pay off.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
That'll work for sure. You probably don't tow much, because you'd feel it. You probably don't get very good mileage, but WTH you ain't gonna with those tires and lift anyway. So why change it if it works? I would argue that you could improve your highway mileage by going to a lower gearing, but it would take a long time to make it pay off.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Hey, I'm not arguing with you. But this guy said it was his daily driver, so I'm jumping to the conclusion that he doesn't tow. Not that much of a stretch considering the 11" lift. So what he's doing isn't really any different than the guy who drives 100% of the time with 10k in tow. I don't think we can assume he is damaging his tranny.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
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From: Tustin, CA
You guys are right. I should change to 4.30's at least - that'll be $2700 for the lowest stock FORD gears, installed. My mileage is sitting around 16-18mpg right now. and I DON'T TOW. Thanks for the advise & info, I appreciate it all.
My problem right now is; no $$. After spending $21k on the truck last month, AND then $9k on ARP studs, SS EGR Cooler, Banks Intercooler, new Hydra steering thingy, new 39.5" Irok SB Tires for $800 (craig's list) and 20" wheels, Custom X3 tunes by Eric, etc, etc etc,......... Gears had to be put on the backburner this year. Maybe a Xmas2009/New Years2010 gift next year, to celebrate CA possibly new 2010 Diesel Smogging Requirements
I am not to heavy on the pedal, since the X3 tunes are so powerful. I now know what I need to do NEXT to the truck. Again, I really do appreciate all the input.
My problem right now is; no $$. After spending $21k on the truck last month, AND then $9k on ARP studs, SS EGR Cooler, Banks Intercooler, new Hydra steering thingy, new 39.5" Irok SB Tires for $800 (craig's list) and 20" wheels, Custom X3 tunes by Eric, etc, etc etc,......... Gears had to be put on the backburner this year. Maybe a Xmas2009/New Years2010 gift next year, to celebrate CA possibly new 2010 Diesel Smogging Requirements
I am not to heavy on the pedal, since the X3 tunes are so powerful. I now know what I need to do NEXT to the truck. Again, I really do appreciate all the input.