Gear change
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Kodiak, AK
Gear change
I haven't found much on the subject so I'll throw it out there. I have the stock 3.55 8.8 rear end and the dana 44 up front. I have 33x12.5 R15's and it is a gutless wonder, especially when pulling my boat. I have to use 4 low to pull it out of the water. A gear change is in order. If I go with the 4.10's, it put's me pretty much back to stock. I'm leaning towards the 4.56. It would give me room to grow(tire size) in the future and I could climb trees right now. I live on a island and the max speed here is 55 so I'm not worried about highway speeds. My concerns are;
1. 4.10 or 4.56?
2. Having too much gear on ice in the winters?
3. I have to get a new carrier in the front anyway. Limited slip, open carrier, or full spool? I have manual hubs, maybe leave one unlocked on the ice?
4. Has anyone had any trouble with those gear sets?
What do you guys think?
86 F150 4x4
302 AOD
NP208
1. 4.10 or 4.56?
2. Having too much gear on ice in the winters?
3. I have to get a new carrier in the front anyway. Limited slip, open carrier, or full spool? I have manual hubs, maybe leave one unlocked on the ice?
4. Has anyone had any trouble with those gear sets?
What do you guys think?
86 F150 4x4
302 AOD
NP208
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,299
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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
I would stay open in the front, they do goofy stuff with lockers. As for gearing with a max speed of 55 I would for sure go with the 4:56 or mabey even 4:88s but I like my trucks to perform like tractors. I don't know what leaving one hub unlocked would do to a locker but in a clutch type limited slip it will burn the clutches out, might get by with a spool but I don't know. As for snow and ice I always thought it was easier to drive with lower gears not as much clutch on take off less wheel spin but thats just me. I feel you pain at the boat ramp they can really be a pain especially if its a steep sucker, thats why I love my granny low 4spd.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
With the AOD, you can go on up to 4.56. The gearing would help the 302, and the tranny also.
Do not use a spool on the street. My 80 had the factory limited slip in the front, and it handled pretty weird in the snow. I would use a open carrier in the front, and a limited slip in the rear.
Do not use a spool on the street. My 80 had the factory limited slip in the front, and it handled pretty weird in the snow. I would use a open carrier in the front, and a limited slip in the rear.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Kodiak, AK
I figured I could put a full spool up front and lock both hubs off road. If I needed 4high on the road I could unlock one hub and it would act like a open differential. When the summer comes (if the summer comes) In 2 wheel drive with the hub unlocked, a full spool would be no big deal.
Is that not the case?
Is that not the case?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
If you decide to do it I would just be sure to unlock the long axle side and lock the short side, might prevent breakage. I actually don't really know what it will do with a spool, sounds like it might work.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
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From: Virginia
I don't think unlocking one hub would work. I would think it would try to pull the steering wheel to one side, since only one side would be pulling, unlike a open diff were the power would be equal on both sides going straight, and would flip flop from side to side depending on traction at other times, with both hubs locked in.
I see another poster had the same experience I had with a locked front, only a spool would be even worse. When you are in the snow, and the truck is unloaded and you have power going to the wheels, you can actually turn the steering wheel back and forth, and the frontend will stay pointed straight ahead, and the rearend of the truck will swish back and forth with the steering wheel. And when you want to turn into a driveway or a side street, you have to come to almost a complete stop, turn and then hit the gas. If you just turn the wheel, the truck just keeps going straight.
It will go good with a locked front, but needless to say you have to be very careful with it.
I see another poster had the same experience I had with a locked front, only a spool would be even worse. When you are in the snow, and the truck is unloaded and you have power going to the wheels, you can actually turn the steering wheel back and forth, and the frontend will stay pointed straight ahead, and the rearend of the truck will swish back and forth with the steering wheel. And when you want to turn into a driveway or a side street, you have to come to almost a complete stop, turn and then hit the gas. If you just turn the wheel, the truck just keeps going straight.
It will go good with a locked front, but needless to say you have to be very careful with it.
