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rear diff question...

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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
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Question rear diff question...

I have a 95 f150 supercab 5.8 with a e4od trans 4x4... my questions are... If the rear is stock what is the ratio most likely to be? and also, is there a way to drain and refill the diff without removing the diff cover? thanks
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:11 AM
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most likely a 3.55, and IIRC, pulling one of the bottom bolts causes a drain? (its been a while)
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:01 AM
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If one or more of the cover bolts are removed-it will not drain and may break the seal.

Use one of those hand pumps and hoses to pump the old lub out through the fill bolt hole in the driver's side front of the differential housing.And then reverse the same pump and pump in the new fluid. I always use a different pump as to not cross contaminate the new with the old differential fluid.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:08 AM
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ok.... so far as off road and 4x4 use how is the 3:55 gear?... what would be optimum?, and how hard would it be to change it out myself, i've heard that it can be a difficult task
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by fkaster01
ok.... so far as off road and 4x4 use how is the 3:55 gear?... what would be optimum?, and how hard would it be to change it out myself, i've heard that it can be a difficult task
3.55 is pretty good for most environments. Middle of the road. My 4.10s are much better for offroading with tall tires!

And it would be difficult to change out the ratio yourself the first time-I have heard. The gears have to be shimmed just right and takes experience to do it right the first time
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:12 AM
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yeah the first time you do gears always have a buddy around who knows what he is doing, the higher (numerically) the better for offroad use but if you want to drive on the road it depends on what size tires you have with 33s and a a v8 4.56s are good the bigger the tire the bigger the gear
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 01:21 PM
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I have 31 inch tires on it now, about as big as I can go in the front without rubbing. I was just asking for future reference, someday I would like to upgrade the rig for serious off road use
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by fkaster01
I have 31 inch tires on it now, about as big as I can go in the front without rubbing. I was just asking for future reference, someday I would like to upgrade the rig for serious off road use
The 351, 3.55 gear and 31'' tire is an excellent combo. If you want to set up your rig for serious off roading you would probably want a taller tire. This means a lift. It would need to be re-geared for the taller tire. Re-gearing is expensive and costs twice as much on a 4x4. Your rig is PERFECT for every day driving mixed with off road use. If you ever want to make your rig a 90% mud truck, you will want to lift your truck, use taller tires and swap out your gear ratios and lock the rear diff for an off roading beast.

There is always something bigger and badder and your ride can always be bigger and badder. Unless you are unhappy with your rig, leave well enough alone! If you have a lot of money and time then it's different. Just my $0.02

 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:44 PM
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On a 4x4 i like 12.50 - 33s Good off road & on street..The bigger the tire the more gear you need plus you have to have the HP to turn them & need a bigger lift . The bigger the truck & tire the more weight . I allways liked the lighter 4x4s . Thought they were more fun . With 33s & your trans 456 would work good . JMO . Lew
 
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 06:53 PM
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thanks for all the input... I was thinking of leaving the tires the size they are now, I think they are big enough... but maybe going a couple inches taller eventually with a lift. I think the tires would still look ok because they are oversized now for being stock ride height. I get comments all the time on how big the tires look...lol
 
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