Gotta q for everybody. Ring and pinion sets.... are there really any difference between the 180$ sets and the 500$ ones? it says on the gears that the more expensive are for quiet running operations. has anyone swapped gears and can reccomend a company

 

I just replaced my 355's cause of a differential bearing problem. I orderd from:

http://www.jawsgear.com

I bought the Motive Gear Ring and Pinion set and the Master Installation Kit: Pinion and Carrier Bearings, Pinion Seal, Pinion and Carrier Shims, Pinion Nut, Ring Gear Bolts, Crush Sleeve, Gasket, Gear Marking Compound, Loctite, and Brush.

Price was about even or a little cheaper than others I found on Google. I called them the next day to make sure they got the order. The parts guy said yep, it's been sent to the warehouse for shipment. The warehouse is in a different state. So, if ya order from there, call it in. Don't use the web order form. You'll save a day.

Set up was relatively easy after you wade through the endless manaj of un-needed $350 tools to measure for pinion shims. If you need pointers, I'll share those too.

10K on the new gears and bearings and they're still smooth and quiet.

 

not to get this thread off track but how do i know what ratio my 97 model f-150 has???

 

Yes there is a difference. Personnally after what I have read and heard I wouldnt use Genuine Gear. Motive Gear is a good affordable r&p, I put 4.56 Motives in my truck and they are real quiet.

Not only are the real cheap R&P sets noisier, most of the time they are weaker and are harder to get a good consistent tooth pattern.

 

Sorry also.. can i just buy a ring and pinion set and have a competent mechanic install it? or do i have to purchase an install kit and new bearings and whatnot? or is there anything anyone would recommend doing while its apart. I have 3.55 right now and i am putting a 285 75 r 16 on. im am thinking about putting 4.10s in if i need to? will i need to though? anyone know?

 

4.10s will maintain the pep that it still has. there was a formula somewhere online where you put your tire size, gear ratio, and new tire size and it will give you what gear ratio you will need to maintain the acceleration of you truck.

powerstrokeddiesel to find out what kind of ratio on your axle there is a tag attached to one of your diff cover bolts that will say what it is. something with a 55 is 3.55 and a 73 is a 3.73.

 

4.10s will maintain the pep that it still has. there was a formula somewhere online where you put your tire size, gear ratio, and new tire size and it will give you what gear ratio you will need to maintain the acceleration of you truck.

powerstrokeddiesel to find out what kind of ratio on your axle there is a tag attached to one of your diff cover bolts that will say what it is. something with a 55 is 3.55 and a 73 is a 3.73.

 

Also look on your door jamb and under AXLE it will have a 2 digit code,which if you post it here we can find out what it means.

How many miles are on your truck? Depending on the mileage, some stuff wont need to be replaced.

And yes, definetly take it to somebody who knows what they are doing. If it isnt set up right it can howl and eventually fail.