Changing Gears???????
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Freshman User
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Changing Gears???????
Well i have been looking into changing my gears on my 01 to save on fuel. I was jsut wondering if it is worth the hassel? I am pretty sure my truck has 4.10's in now and i wonder if i go to a 3.73 or 3.55 how much it would help on saving fuel. I only tow my car about 6 times a year to the track. Also how bad will it hurt me on the towing side?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Millersburg, OR
you running stock tires right now? Is yours a 4x4?
Typically changing gears isn't worth it for that small of an amount. 1500-2k for a gear swap unless you can find someone local that you can swap with.
Typically changing gears isn't worth it for that small of an amount. 1500-2k for a gear swap unless you can find someone local that you can swap with.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 311
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From: Houghton, MI
gear change
I have 3.73s and want to go to 4.10s due to tire size. Most 250/350s have 3.73 and rarely do you hear about stock tire size guys swaping to higher gears to tow...I'd be willing to swap.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Van Alstyne, TX
4.10s usually came in DRW whereas 3.73s came in SRW. If you were going to swap, it would be best to swap the complete axle. Otherwise, you would have 2 axles to set up the gears on. Setting up gears is not for the average shade tree mechanic. It takes calculations to figure out the correct shimming and tools to measure the backlash. It is not just a case of take the gears out of 1 axle and put them in the other.
I too have 4.10s (DRW). The next time I get new tires (which should be in the next few months), I am going to get bigger tires.It will be a whole lot cheaper than re-gearing the axle. My goal is to get the RPMs down to about 2000 when driving 65 to 70. I'm not sure that it is completely feasible with just the tires, but I think it will help.
I too have 4.10s (DRW). The next time I get new tires (which should be in the next few months), I am going to get bigger tires.It will be a whole lot cheaper than re-gearing the axle. My goal is to get the RPMs down to about 2000 when driving 65 to 70. I'm not sure that it is completely feasible with just the tires, but I think it will help.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Houghton, MI
You are correct, I should have stated that I was referring to single rear wheel vics. And yeah, an axle swap would be less time...and I'm sure in the next few posting there will be a point about the dana 50...regardless I'm still keeping my eye out for axles with 4.10s or just the gears and install 'em...
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
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From: Mesa AZ
Well i have been looking into changing my gears on my 01 to save on fuel. I was just wondering if it is worth the hassle? I am pretty sure my truck has 4.10's in now and i wonder if i go to a 3.73 or 3.55 how much it would help on saving fuel. I only tow my car about 6 times a year to the track. Also how bad will it hurt me on the towing side?
You need to be positive what gear ratio you have before going any further. What is your axle code (check the sticker on your driver's door jamb).
Unless you have a dually, then I doubt that you have the 4.10 gear anyway.
If you have a 4x4 then you definitely don't want to mess with changing out the gears. The cost to change gears is quite pricey and it would take a long long long time to recoup those costs in saved fuel.
What sort of mileage are you getting right now?
How many miles on your engine? you could have other issues affecting your mileage and if so, correcting those would be the recommended course of action.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 212
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From: Brighton, CO
i went from 3.73 to 4.30 and lost about 2 mpg. but im running 315/70r16's and all i do is tow. the 3.73's didnt put my truck in the powerband for pulling grades and such.
i love the 4.30's for towing, but @ 75mph im spinning 2500rpm.
also for going up in gear, youll likley loose some city mileage as it will be working harder to get things rolling, but hwy mileage should improve a bit. although it usually ends up being a wash.
changing gears for the sole purpose of mpg is not really cost effective.
i love the 4.30's for towing, but @ 75mph im spinning 2500rpm.
also for going up in gear, youll likley loose some city mileage as it will be working harder to get things rolling, but hwy mileage should improve a bit. although it usually ends up being a wash.
changing gears for the sole purpose of mpg is not really cost effective.
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