Thanks man, I didn't even think about getting the front pumpkin used. Duh!

I did put it in low range yesterday & It pulled it right out. Its ridiculous that I have to do this. I hope to get the 3.55 axle & pumpkin soon.
All I've heard about since getting this truck is the torque of the 6cyl but I haven't been impressed so far. I hope it is a gearing thing cause its cheaper than a motor swap!

 

Even with 3.55 gears you are better off pulling it out in low range. Having that extra low gearing in low range just means you slip the clutch less and anything you can do to reduce that is smart. The M5OD doesn't have a very low first gear. The T-18 in my truck will pull a house off the foundation in first gear though.

 

The 300 does make good torque for a gasoline sixer. You shouldn't expect big block torque from it, though.

Respect it for what it is. If you want more grunt, go to a lower gear. I can tug three and a half tons without much effort with my 4.11 gear ratio. I can't even tell it's back there once I get it going. Stopping sucks, tho.

 

I have 3.08 gears in my truck and I can tow with it pretty easily. I just run it in 4th gear on the highway and it's like I have 3.55 gears running in 5th (approximately). Then when I am not towing, I have the 3.08 for better MPG. I can always get the load rolling if it's a big one by using 1st gear (ZF trans).

I used to have a '90 F150 4x4 with 302/M5R2/3.55 and I also had a boat at the time. I always used low range in 2wd to pull the boat up the ramp, it's just easier on the clutch that way.

 

i have a 95 f150 flareside, with a 302. i recently did an automatic to manual tranny swap, i put a ZF out of a 94 f250 in it. got a low first gear but has so much power!!!! =D
to make a long story short, my rear dif's goin out, it has the 3.08 gear in it now. i'm gona put either 3.55 gear in it or the 3.73 gear, but am undecided. i want to keep good fuel economy, but have faster start of the line and be able to show off a bit cuz it is a baaaddddd lookin truck. opinions please.

this is a 2wd street truck.

 

Assuming that I know nothing about gear swaps (which I dont), what do I need, and what do I need to know to get 3.55's in my 94 F150 300 I6 4x4.

 

Eric,

Gear swaps are not the place to learn how to wrench. They have to be set up precisely and if you do it wrong you will destroy the gears. My advice is to take it to a shop.

 

Very understandable, Im just trying to glean more information on the subject. I dont know a whole lot about this particular mod, and would like to find out, atleast what parts I need to buy (but preferably salvage from another vehicle). I have an aptitude with the wrench, however I am not a proffesional, and everything I know is from what I have researched, and done myself. Thanks.

 

You could go to a junkyard and pick up a couple of axles, but make sure you check them out first, or bring a friend that knows what to look for. It would be a lot safe to do it that way.

 

So just a front and rear axle from an F250 of similar year? Any other advice? this is something I would like to do, however it may not happen for awhile.

 

I had a 3.08 on my 90 ford f150 and axle went out on it. I changed it out with a 3.55. My question is I have 4x4 with manual locking hubs, do I have to change out the gear ratio up front also?

 

Yes, you must, if you want to be able to use 4x4 again.

 

Weren't the stock tires 235/75R15? Those are right around 29", so 31's will raise your effective gear ratio giving you the performance of taller gears. Going up in tire diameter requires shorter gearing to get back to the same effective ratio as stock. You could do the math and see where you are at to compare various tires sizes.

 

Keep in mind that this is an 8 year old thread up through post #26

 

D'Oh! I got caught in the dreaded dead thread resurrection! I'll assume the OP got his issue sorted out a long time ago. LOL