Notices
2004 - 2008 F150 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Ford F150's with 5.4 V8, 4.6 V8 engine
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Gear Change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 04:18 PM
  #1  
OptimusF150's Avatar
OptimusF150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Thumbs up Gear Change

I have an F150 with 355 gears with the tow package I am looking to change the gears after reading a couple post with the 456 gears. I am wondering does this affect the transmission, the abs or the speedometer?
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 05:44 PM
  #2  
bridge's Avatar
bridge
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
Club FTE Gold Member
Yes, no and yes...
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 11:01 PM
  #3  
OptimusF150's Avatar
OptimusF150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Ok Bridge can you explain more on what you can do about it affecting the trans and speadometer. Will it hurt the tranny with the new gears? If you get a tuner will it help with the tranny and the speedometer?
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 12:23 AM
  #4  
Coskid's Avatar
Coskid
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,743
Likes: 2
From: Henrico, VA
The tuner will help with the speedo because it has settings that you can change and tell it the new gears and tire size.

I am not sure what it will do to the tranny
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 10:09 AM
  #5  
hunt3r's Avatar
hunt3r
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, BC
I would think the new gears wouldn't have any negative impact on the transmission. Your shift points will be at much lower speeds and you will greatly increase your torque at your wheels, so there is the chance that you could pull something too heavy and cause damage. Usually it is the axles and such that you hear about problems with after a gear change.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 01:58 AM
  #6  
OptimusF150's Avatar
OptimusF150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Maybe I will stick to the 373 gears instead of going to those new 456 gears. I know there was a post that a member put on here about the gear change he did. I don't remember if he mentioned anything about the gears interacting poorly with the tranny.

Hunt3r what problems have you heard of with the axles after doing a gear change?
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 03:27 PM
  #7  
hunt3r's Avatar
hunt3r
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, BC
Nothing specific to your truck. When I had changed the gears in my Jeep to 4.56 I was told to go with the stronger chromoly shafts because, according to the guy at the gear shop, the factory shafts would not stand up to the extra torque.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 05:44 PM
  #8  
Sako 75's Avatar
Sako 75
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 1
From: Top Of The World, TN
If you change your gears, it is well worth the money to invest into a programmer (actually - well worth it if you change your gears or not). By going to 411s or 456s (or 373's for that matter), you will want to be able to adjust your shift points and shift firmness in order to take some stress off of the tranny.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 01:49 AM
  #9  
OptimusF150's Avatar
OptimusF150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
I am already planning on getting a tuner. I think down the road I will replace the gears. I am hoping to see some better gas mileage after doing the gears. I'm sure I will see some improvement once I get the tuner.
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 10:50 PM
  #10  
Sparkman1980's Avatar
Sparkman1980
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Kelso, Washington
Originally Posted by bridge
Yes, no and yes...
2nd that.

I have 4.56's, and 35" tires. I have an Edge to adjust for the 2. I haven't had any tranny problems at all. Do you have factory size tires? If so, just a heads up, with 4.56's at 75 mph, you'll be pushing over 2500-3000 RPM. Even with my 35's, I spin about 2300 rpms at 75.
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2010 | 01:38 AM
  #11  
OptimusF150's Avatar
OptimusF150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
You get better gas mileage with the 4.56's and you run higher RPM's that doesn't make sense to me. I was planning on getting a tuner for my truck. I also wanted to do a 6" lift and put 35's on it. I'm not sure what my RPM's are when doing 75 with my 3.55 gears I will have to check that out. What do you think if I just put some 3.73 gears or maybe 4.10's? Will that help the truck in gas mileage? Also would it be good to change the gears if I was looking to do some 4wheelin?
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2010 | 02:25 PM
  #12  
GDog68's Avatar
GDog68
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
OptimusF150, where are you buying your gears from? I just put a 6" lift and 35's on my truck and I'm ready for gears now. 4wheelparts wants a little over 2 grand for everything plus a 3 year warranty and installation and I'm trying to see if there is a better deal somewhere.
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2010 | 03:34 PM
  #13  
OptimusF150's Avatar
OptimusF150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
GDog68 I haven't done anything to my truck yet besides put a little bit bigger tires on it. I am still under warranty and waiting for it to be up before I do any mods. There was another tread on here about a guy who changed his gears to 4.56 and he said he paid around 1400 installed so 2000 sounds high. What lift did you go with because that is one of the first things I wana do to my truck.
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2010 | 05:03 PM
  #14  
GDog68's Avatar
GDog68
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Rough Country, for I think it was $1359?
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2010 | 06:52 PM
  #15  
Sparkman1980's Avatar
Sparkman1980
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Kelso, Washington
Originally Posted by OptimusF150
You get better gas mileage with the 4.56's and you run higher RPM's that doesn't make sense to me. I was planning on getting a tuner for my truck. I also wanted to do a 6" lift and put 35's on it. I'm not sure what my RPM's are when doing 75 with my 3.55 gears I will have to check that out. What do you think if I just put some 3.73 gears or maybe 4.10's? Will that help the truck in gas mileage? Also would it be good to change the gears if I was looking to do some 4wheelin?
I get horrible gas mileage. You will see a drop in gas mileage with 4.56's. Maybe not in town, or puttin around, but I get about 12 at 75 mph. I can get up to 16 or 18 in town. Nothing fantastic. And yes, your engine spins at a higher RPM when you put taller gears in.
I paid 1600 installed. The gears were 900 bucks from 4x4land in Topeka, and they charged 700 for the install. I could probably find their number if you wanna call them.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:21 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE