3.08 gears
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3.08 gears
i just purchased 3.08 gears from e bay. I will use them on my 84 f 150, upgrading the stock 2.73's. i have the ford manual tranny w/OD, it has the 3.25 first gear, and .71 OD. i have 31" tires as well. Does any have this setup, and how do you like it. i am hoping the 3.08 gears will to. The truck will be used as primary transportation, and i would like it to be able to haul a bed full of grass, and a 10' trailer with a couple mid size mo0wers. adn possibly a 19' sea ray boat.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: philly pa
3.08 wont do too much. its the same amount of money no matter what size you choose. i would get the 3.55. i hear you also get better mileage w/them because it doesn't lug the engine. i also have the useless 2.73's like you. if i had the money i'd get 3.55's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Originally Posted by 1984F15016
with 2.43 rear end gears, or 2.43 first gear?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cheyenne Wy.
Bed full of grass and a 10 foot trailer. No problem at all. I have 3.08 with an e40d...but not too different. And it seems to be OK up to about 2000 lbs. I can still do 75 on cruise control with that load, loses a little up hill though.
It will pull the 19' boat, but probably not at great speeds. I would be tempted to go 3.55's (or lower) for that kind of a load.
But if you got a good deal.... 3.08 is certainly better than 2.47
Jim
It will pull the 19' boat, but probably not at great speeds. I would be tempted to go 3.55's (or lower) for that kind of a load.
But if you got a good deal.... 3.08 is certainly better than 2.47
Jim
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Centerville, Iowa
Just the actual gears? Ick...I'd have gone to a junkyard and gotten myself a 3.55 or a 3.73 Traction-Lok unit - in whatever axle you have down there - and thrown that in there. I'd rather change the whole axle then dig into the diff and swap out gears. I dunno....the thought of digging in the rear end just seems more daunting then actually replacing it. Plus you could upgrade to a larger rear axle too.
I have 3.08's and...my 89 with a M5OD does alright. First 3 gears you can go alright, 4th starts to bog. And....don't expect to go ANYWHERE in OD. Only time you'll ever pass in OD is on the interstate or..sorry that's it. Hehe but as I said, first three gears are just fine with 3.08. If this truck had 4WD then I would be swapping in 4.10's and going the 'Four-wheeler' route. But..since its not I suppose I'll live with (relatively) gutless gears.
You mentioned you had a manual with OD? I'd assume you have a different transmission then I do..I don't think the M5OD was offered before 87. Maybe you even have better gearing in the early gears?
I have 3.08's and...my 89 with a M5OD does alright. First 3 gears you can go alright, 4th starts to bog. And....don't expect to go ANYWHERE in OD. Only time you'll ever pass in OD is on the interstate or..sorry that's it. Hehe but as I said, first three gears are just fine with 3.08. If this truck had 4WD then I would be swapping in 4.10's and going the 'Four-wheeler' route. But..since its not I suppose I'll live with (relatively) gutless gears.
You mentioned you had a manual with OD? I'd assume you have a different transmission then I do..I don't think the M5OD was offered before 87. Maybe you even have better gearing in the early gears?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: fort lauderdale
A question. I have a 3.55 limited slip and was thinking of going to the 3.08 for fuel economy sence I dont pull a trailer anymore. Trans is E4OD and engine is 4.9 Six, will a gear change improve milage substantally?
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From: Adams TN
I have 3.55's and a 4spd direct drive and a granny gear.
i have been getting 14-16 mpg driving a little hard on the throttle and towing a 4500lb lincoln town car demoderby car on 2000lb trailer. not bad though i only go about 60 on the highway for the 3 miles i'm on it to high school each day. It pulls like it isn't even there. you can feel it in the hills but i can hold 60 on the climbs.
any thing past 65 mph is screaming rpms.
thinking when i rebuild the engine to put a cam and hedders and a 4bbl on it this winter
i have been getting 14-16 mpg driving a little hard on the throttle and towing a 4500lb lincoln town car demoderby car on 2000lb trailer. not bad though i only go about 60 on the highway for the 3 miles i'm on it to high school each day. It pulls like it isn't even there. you can feel it in the hills but i can hold 60 on the climbs.
any thing past 65 mph is screaming rpms.
thinking when i rebuild the engine to put a cam and hedders and a 4bbl on it this winter