I am looking at getting a (used) super duty with the V10. Either 2000 or 2001. Not only will it be my drive all around truck but it will also be the occasional equipment and cattle hauling truck.
I have found one that has 4.30 gears in it.

Any of you folks know about what kind of difference we're talking about in gas mileage between the 3.73 and the 4.30? I'm in N. Florida so we're talking flatlands driving.

Also, any of you folks up north ever heard of an undercoating called Zbart (sp?). Lady at the feed store was telling me about it. Supposed to keep the salt from rusting your vehicle out. I was wondering because one truck that I'm looking at is in Kansas. Finding a good Super Duty down here is like finding hen's teeth!

 

The 4.30's are good for hauling trailers and are quicker out of the hole.. Gas mileage difference is probably 1-2 mpg for regular all around vs. the 3.73.
The 4.30's raise your RPM's about 200-300 at 65 mph. The 4.30's will require less downshifting with a load.

I run the 3.73 as I think it works fine for my daily driver, and when I haul the camper, it has plenty of guts.

I would be leery of undercoatings as they can trap in moisture and cause more damage. Someone else may know a lot more than me on this though.

 

When I was looking for a Limited Slip axle for the V10\manual transmission, all I could get was the 4.30. I don't know why, but the 3.73 LS wasn't offered with the manual transmission (A non-LS 3.73 was). I ended up with the 3.73 LS with the Auto, and love it..

It is spelled Ziebart but I haven't had any experience with them.

http://www.ziebart.com/

Matt

 

I've known people in the past that have had Ziebart put on their vehicles... I've never heard any complaints. It comes in very handy down here in Texas along the gulf coast... Salty air and water are a nightmare here.

 

Ziebart was a lot more popular back in the 60s and 70s, when vehicles seemed to rust a lot more than they seem to now. Someone told me (don't know if it's true) that the manufactures used a lot more recycled steel back then, which was more likely to rust. I remember my '74 F-250 had rust holes the size of my fist, when it was only 4 or 5 years old. I'm in the Chicago area, and sometimes it seems there's more salt spread on the road than there was snow!

Don't know if it is worthwhile these days, since it seems they just don't rust as much anymore. Can't ask a dealer for advice in these parts, since they all want to sell their own process, and of course, if you ask, they'll try and sell you on it! Ford had a similar process.

The process was to spray down the inside surface of all exterior metal panels with a tar like substance. They would punch small holes in the sides of the doors, and where ever else they had to, in order to get their product onto the inside surface. The trick was to get a guy who took the time to do it right, and then cleanup any mess he left behind. And they'd install plugs in the holes they punched.

And it had to be done when the truck was clean and new, or else you'd just trap the problem where it could grow unchecked.

My opinion: I don't think I'd pay extra for it..... unless it was real cheap, which it ain't!

Oldchap

 

I have a 2000 V-10 with the 3.73's, non limited slip. Mine is a daily driver back and forth to work, 27 miles one way. I tow a 27 ft. SunnyBrook TT, and a 20 ft equipment trailer with a 5000 lb tractor on it. I would glady trade my 3.73's for 4.30's any day of the week. The lack of low end torque from a dead start is a problem for me. I do have tires (285/75R16's) 2 inches in diameter larger than stock, so this hurts me a little. The V-10 starts to really produce torque when you wind it above 3000 rpm. I would glady pay the difference in gas milage for more low end torque. I drive stop and go, never above 45 mph going to work every day and get 12,8 mpg. With the 4.30's this would go down to 12.0 or 11.8.

If I bought a new truck today I would get a V-10, but it would have 4.30 gears.

GAV10 Mark

 

stay away from undercoating, it is a quick way to plug all the drain holes that are built into the vehicle..........todays superduty has about 80% galvanized steel, so rust is a very long way away......if you have a VERY, LIKE NEW CLEAN..bottom of bed and cab,,,,,,,,it is ok to coat,most of the time this acts as a sound deadener, but if dirt or moisture is trapped in between it will rust........but loud tunes or wild women in the cab have the same effect!!! .......Dan /ft