im gonna change gear ratios from 3.73 tp 4.56 do i need to change the carrier too
thnx

 

I think that depends on whether or not you are going with aftermarket gears or not.

BUMP! Anyone?

 

If you are using the term "carrier" to mean "differential", then the answer is yes. From what I have seen, 4.10 gears and smaller require one size differential while 4.56 gears and larger require another size differential. I know, what about 4.30 gears? I have yet to find an answer to that question.

Check out Eaton's application guide for confirmation (Page 6 in link below).

http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/publ.../ct_128302.pdf

 

Yukon gears make the switch somewhere around 4.10, go to broncograveyard.com and pull up 10.5" axle gears, it's have lists of different gear ratios and what carrier they need.

 

Hard to say, there may be a carrier break, but usually there are gears available to get around it.

 

the gears are aftermarket

 

Good question but my gut feeling is there is no carrier break.

 

Need more proof? Look at ARB's Super Duty application guide (Page 3) below.

http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/ac...dSuperDuty.pdf

 

Something more to consider... Yukon makes "Reverse" gears that for the Dana 60 front axle. These gears can be purchased in a "Thick" version for the smaller differential, which are designed for the 4.10 gears and smaller. For example, you can run a 4.56 "Thick" gear with the smaller differential. However, these "Thick" gears are not available for the Dana 50 front axle. See links below for details.

Dana 50 Front Axle Gear Options:
Ford / Lincoln / Mercury F250 Front Differentials Dana Spicer D50 Rings & Pinions Auto Parts: YG D50R-373R, YG D50R-411R, YG D50R-430R, YG D50R-456R, YG D50R-488R, YG D50R-513R, YG D50R-538R,

Dana 60 Front Axle Gear Options (Note "Thick" versions):
Ford / Lincoln / Mercury F250 Front Differentials Dana Spicer D60 Rings & Pinions Auto Parts: YG D60-354, YG D60-373, YG D60-411, YG D60-430, YG D60-456, YG D60-488, YG D60-513, YG D60-538, YG D60-586, YG D60-617, YG D60-717, YG D60R-354R, YG D60R-37

4.56 Thick Gear for Dana 60 Front Axle:
Auto Parts: YG D60R-456R-T - High performance Yukon Ring & Pinion gear set for Dana Spicer 60 Reverse Rotation in a 4.56 ratio. Yukon exclusively uses 8620 steel in all their Ring & Pinion sets for high strength and long life. They use the latest des

Product Description - "High performance Yukon Ring & Pinion gear set for Dana Spicer 60 Reverse Rotation in a 4.56 ratio. Yukon exclusively uses 8620 steel in all their Ring & Pinion sets for high strength and long life. They use the latest designs and manufacturing technologies to provide a quiet running gear that is strong and easy to set up. All Yukon Ring & Pinion sets come standard with a one-year warranty. Thick gear for 4.10 and down carrier."

However, I did not see any "Thick" gears for the Sterling 10.25 axle.

Sterling 10.25 Rear Axle Gear Options:
Ford / Lincoln / Mercury F250 Rear Differentials Ford 10.25 Rings & Pinions Auto Parts: YG F10.25-355L, YG F10.25-373L, YG F10.25-411L, YG F10.25-430L, YG F10.25-456L, YG F10.25-488L, YG F10.25-513L, YG F10.25-538L,

This leads me to believe that you may be able to keep your OEM differential in the Dana 60 front axle but will have to replace the OEM differential in the rear axle. However, the OP has a Dana 50 front axle so both front and rear differentials will need to be replaced.

Can someone confirm the purpose of the "Reverse" gear design?

 

Very good Furian, reps to ya!

 

Here is some information on the "Reverse" gears. Apparently, the term "Reverse" is synonymous with "High Pinion". I'm not sure if our Super Duties actually have high pinion front axles.

Dana 44 Solid Front Axle: Part 1 Reverse Spiral Housing


Wiklipedia has a great article on the Dana 60 front axle. Note the differential (carrier) gear break point in the article.

Dana 60 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Carrier break: 3.54:1 - 4.10:1 and 4.56:1 - 7.17:1"

 

Thanks Brent! New Yukon 5.38 gears are next on my wish list so I need to know this information as much as anyone. I'm still not 100% certain so I need to do more research.