4.9 performance
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Im looking to also upgrade to the Offy intake, Hedman's, 4:10's, etc. What kind of MPG are you guys getting with this setup? My '84 Bronco gets about 14 bone stock now. Just curious!
Im new to I6s, and loving this thing. Cant wait to "wake 'er up"!!
Im new to I6s, and loving this thing. Cant wait to "wake 'er up"!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
Why change to 4.10 gears? I have a 1 ton truck, and most of my driving is around town or on the freeway. I changed from 3.74's to 3.31's, and can now cruise at 65--70 mph at a relatively good rpm. I frequently tow/haul, and don't really tell the difference. The only place I noticed it was towing a trailor over the mountains into Oregon, but would rather have to downshift on those rare occasions than to tach out constantly. Unless you are hauling everyday, I can't see the use of 4.10's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
Highway at best was 16 mpg, but I'm not sure what it is up here in the mountain area.
The best gears for the 300 are 3.08, 3.55 and 3.73. 3.08 if all you do is highway driving; lots of power and very good fuel mileage. 3.55's are great for a good mix of both city and highway. 3.73 is as low as you want to go with the 300.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
I have hauled a ton of concrete with the 3.31 gears without so much as a strain. For commuting, I'd go high, with, like bill said, the 3.08's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
What trans does the 84 bronco have? The trans makes a huge difference on what gearing you want, as does the intended use and tire size planned.
4.10 gears would be way too steep for a daily driver, particularly without an OD trans.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
I vote for 3.55's for 31's, 3.73's for 33's and 35's. 4.10's for the 35's if you can afford the fuel.
I loved my truck with the 3.08, but I had 27 inch tires on it. The poster has a 4x4 so I'm assuming he's running 31's on up. 3.55's would be better for that, especially since he'll want the added power.
You can't go wrong with 3.55's.
I loved my truck with the 3.08, but I had 27 inch tires on it. The poster has a 4x4 so I'm assuming he's running 31's on up. 3.55's would be better for that, especially since he'll want the added power.
You can't go wrong with 3.55's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Bill, you're pretty close. I am taking 3.50 axles from a bronco and putting them under my truck, with a 300 and C6 (no OD), with plans to run 31" tires. My RPM @ 65 should be right at 2500. I rarely drive the truck on highways that have higher speed limits, so I can live with this RPM.
With OD, 3.50-3.73 would be about right. Without OD, 3.25-3.50 would be better. Unfortunately, I don't think there's an option for anything other than 3.50 (9") or 3.55(8.8") for a 4x4, between the 3.00/3.08 and 4.10 area.
With OD, 3.50-3.73 would be about right. Without OD, 3.25-3.50 would be better. Unfortunately, I don't think there's an option for anything other than 3.50 (9") or 3.55(8.8") for a 4x4, between the 3.00/3.08 and 4.10 area.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Its got a 4/OD. Not sure if thats specific enough for you.
My questions was answered though, thanks fellas. I look forward to squeezing out a few more MPG with some minor upgrades!
My questions was answered though, thanks fellas. I look forward to squeezing out a few more MPG with some minor upgrades!
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: FORT GIBSON
Bad tires. Its manual with a 2...something rearend...hi as hell lol
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: northeast, KY
I remember when my dad bought his 95 F150. It had 2.73 gears and would get about 23MPG, but it wouldn't get out of it's own way. You had to start downshifting before you saw the hill...good "road" truck, but not a puller, for sure.
The last 300 I owned had the M5OD tranny (I know...crap) and 3.55 gears. I think it was the best setup besides the tranny...I would have rather had a ZF5. It really would pull, and would haul more than a trailer, lol. I ended up selling it about 2 years ago with 241K miles for what I bought it for... $1500, and just a couple months ago I saw it again with right close to 280K miles and the guy was trying to get $1800 out of it.
I thought that it was the SH** until I bought my 96 with the 5.8...it was a complete world of difference. You get the horsepower of the 302 and the torque of the 300. The only complains I had with it is that it like the gas, a lot. I didn't matter if you was hauling wood or hauling ***, it got the same mileage.
I guess what i'm getting at is that it really makes a difference to what kind of tires and gears you've got. It doesn't really matter what your driving, it has to be setup right.
Matt
The last 300 I owned had the M5OD tranny (I know...crap) and 3.55 gears. I think it was the best setup besides the tranny...I would have rather had a ZF5. It really would pull, and would haul more than a trailer, lol. I ended up selling it about 2 years ago with 241K miles for what I bought it for... $1500, and just a couple months ago I saw it again with right close to 280K miles and the guy was trying to get $1800 out of it.
I thought that it was the SH** until I bought my 96 with the 5.8...it was a complete world of difference. You get the horsepower of the 302 and the torque of the 300. The only complains I had with it is that it like the gas, a lot. I didn't matter if you was hauling wood or hauling ***, it got the same mileage.
I guess what i'm getting at is that it really makes a difference to what kind of tires and gears you've got. It doesn't really matter what your driving, it has to be setup right.
Matt
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,885
Likes: 12
From: Lawrence Swamp
Matt-
This continues our conversation on Final Drive ratio and Application. Thanks for confirming several points.
Some start with the tire size of the 'formula' (me-off rd), others with the tranny, some w/rear gear, but we gotta say as a wrk truck: most (the intelligent/smart/etc) w/ an I6 300 for the motor part of the "formula".
This continues our conversation on Final Drive ratio and Application. Thanks for confirming several points.
Some start with the tire size of the 'formula' (me-off rd), others with the tranny, some w/rear gear, but we gotta say as a wrk truck: most (the intelligent/smart/etc) w/ an I6 300 for the motor part of the "formula".
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: northeast, KY
They're great motors, that's for sure...and for a work truck with one of the key points is wanting something that's reliable, easy to work on, and has plenty of torque down low, nothing beats a 300...but I was 20 whenever I bought my 351, and I lived about 1.5 miles away from work, so this was more or less a play thing. I didn't worry about gas, and at the time I had the money work on it a little. Things were different for sure...looking back now I kick myself in the **** for ever selling the 300...especially knowing the fact that it's still running strong today.
Matt
Matt