Hey guys I need help with something, i have a 1976 F150 2WD with a 5.0L 302 and I'm in the process of fixing it up to the extent that i am able to drive it when i turn 16 in a year. I need to know what the best rear end gear would be for me. i want good acceleration and better gas milage. I'm not doing much pulling but some. What Gears should i get. thanks for any input on the matter.

 

3.73's are a good compromise gear if you occasionally tow/haul but still want good fuel economy, 3.50's or even 3.23's are an excellent highway gear if fuel economy is your primary concern, i'm assuming you're running a tire in the 29" to 31" height range.

 

with a ford 9" a 2.75 ratio is the highest stock ratio you will find should give you about 2100 rpm at 60mph decent gas milage

 

My 76 F100 came to me with a 300-6 and 3 speed and 3.50 9inch rear. I swapped in a 302 w/ C 6 transmission. I also have had a 69 F 100 with a 390 and T18 4sp w/ a 3.50 Dana rear and a 79 F150 with 302 3sp+OD (RUG) and 3.25 rear. Currently my 76 has a 390 with a T18 4sp and 3.00" rear w/ 31 inch tires. This has given me the best power (low end torque) AND gas mileage (13mpg)of the variations I've had. The 302 has a short 3" stroke and struggles with low end torque in a truck. My 390 has a 3.75" stroke and has a very noticeable increase in low end torque. I believe that because it doesn't have to work so hard to get the truck moving, that it benefits more from the higher highway gears. My fear with a 302 is that if you try to use a high rear end gear ratio, that your engine will suck more gas to get it moving. 302's from the late 80s on, have roller lifter cams that allow for a more aggressive cam profiles that allow for better truck power. Traditionally the 302 (and its 289 predecessor) shined in light weight cars for it's ability to develop power at high RPM's. In a relatively heavy truck, it's hard to get to those higher RPM's.
Without an Overdrive transmission don't expect more than 11-12 mpg. You can buy a lot of gas for the cost of converting your truck to a more modern OD transmission.

 

thanks guys i think i'm either going to use a 3.50 or 3.73 gear. thanks
--Sayer Lane

 

My 302 currently has a 3.25 rear gear and a ford 3 speed. In my opinion, 1st gear is way to fast. You have to ride the clutch to slow yourself down. It does nice at highway speed though. Generally, a higher number will give you more torque, a lower number will put your rpms lower at highway speed. It depends on your driving area. I live in the country, lots of highway driving, so a lower number works best for me. In a city, I would want a higher number.

 

Bulletsneverlie, i live in the country also and its about 20 miles to town and then after school i've got to go another 25 to work and its mostly highway traffic so i might do the 3.25 or 3.50 gear i've not decided yet

 

I wish I knew what was in my truck, it was said to be a 3.00 by a thread I posted earlier but I honestly don't belive that. I don't have a tach but I'm turning more rpm at 60 than I want to be. That and 1st and 2nd are way to close, 1st takes me to about 35(with me shifting it, the truck gets brave and shifts at about 45), then second takes me to about 55 and then she shifts into third. I wish I had OD in my truck, upgrade from my 10mpg .