Looking at a new 2009 Supercab F-350 with 3:55 gear ratio, I have never had this gear ratio, at the dealership they said it gives better fuel economy for the 6.4, I haul a camper, they say okay hauling for that but not so good for towing, which worries me for resale value. Why is tis gear an option ? I would like any comments from this gear users and the gear ratio's Thanks JB

 

As per the 2009 Towing Guide, the 3.55s are rated for the exact same trailer weight as the 3.73s.

I doubt you'll have a problem with it. How big of a camper do you pull?

 

If you're gonna do much towing at all, I would stay away from the 3.55.
The 3.73 would be min.( for me)

I doubt you'll see much difference in mpg between the two,but will notice a difference in performance.

 

performance ? good or bad, slow or slower ? JB

 

My camper is 9'2" it ways 2400lbs dry

 

That truck won't even know a 2400 lb. camper is hooked to it.

3.73 will give a little better performance than a taller gear.

(something to consider if you think you may upgrade you camper of tow anything heavier in the future)


BTW welcome to FTE!

 

Are the 3:55 designed for an empty truck ?

 

Also consider your tire size. If you plan on lifting or plus sizing the tires, it will change your final drive ratio. It's not as critical in the diesel, but it is worth considering if you plan for upgrades.

 

I wouldn't think so. They would probably give you better MPG if you do a lot of hiway driving. If I did a lot of high speed driving I would like to have them. Less miles on the engine (per mile) also. They wouldn't be good for heavy towing.

 

My 2004 F-350,6.0, 3:73 is empty 50% of the time, and I do not tow, (just haul) or plan to change the size of wheels it will be a lease on the 2009 6.4. Is the mileage even going to be close on this new rig with the 3:55 ? I am not a hard driver.

 

Higher (lower numerically) gears will automatically give you better gas mileage to a point. The older chevy cars had a 3.08 gearset that was very commom. With no towing and an easy foot I would say the 3.55's will give better mileage on the freeway than 3.73's. (less engine RPMs per mile).

 

3.08 was actually common for the F150 too not just 'older chevy cars'. My F150 would have been 3.08 except the first owner opted for 3.55's thankfully... with a lowly 4.2L pushing 33's I'm sure the 3.08's would have been painfull...

 

You have opted for the V-10 ? Not too many up here in BC, reason for the choice ?

 

Are you referring to me? If so... well I could have gotten by with the 5.4 I think but 90% of everyone told me to go V10 so I gave in. I would like to get a camper (25-30 foot range) and or nice size boat eventually, and be able to haul my bronco around on the goosneck if I get her fixed up. Also might run some oversized tires part of the year as well. And frankly the crew cab 4x4 8' bed 350 is a darn big truck for a 5.4 anyhow. The V10 also included the 4.10 gears for free that I'd paid extra for with the 5.4, so the difference was really only about $300 for the V10 option. Only possible downside I could even think of is a little worse mpg and having to replace a couple more plugs. I plan on it being in my possesion until the bolts fall out and I would hate to regret getting an underpowered rig for a couple decades so I just went for it. if you werent talking to me... well just disregard all that above.

Edit: Probably you dont see V10's is because the dealers just dont stock em and push em like the 5.4 and PSD. I see very few here too. If you dont really work your truck or want to save money they must figure you want the 5.4L. If your working your truck hard they figure you want a diesel. I think people are often scared the V10 will drain there wallets at the pump (which isnt all that far from the truth... but not THAT much worse the 5.4 really).

 

The V-10 is a great long lasting engine. It's not so much the engine size as it it is the weight of the truck with the MPG. The v-10 effortlessly pulls the big trucks.