Changing gears

[dsiemsen]

I'm thinking about buying a 99 Flareside with everything I want, except it has a 3.55 rear end. It will be OK to tow the travel trailer we have now, but if we want to upgrade trailers in the future, I'd want a 3.73 gear. How hard/expensive is is to change the gears?

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[max mitchell]

Changing the ring and pinion requires a substantial tear down, a few specialized tools, and general experience. The gear change is a good time to add a Limited-Slip (if one is wanted) because the rear is already torn down to that level. It is also a good time to factor in the preferred, future tire height. A change of .25 or so, is alot of work/money for little change. I would not do all of that for less than .50 or so personally. The 3.55 is a good all around ratio. Price approximations= $200 for gears, $40-$130 for installation kits (several stages), + labor. Possible total costs "approximately" $600 per axle; not including a differential upgrade. Good Luck !!

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

[nomo]

Remember that changing gears does not change the "legal" towing capacities of the truck. If you are considering a larger trailer, now is the time to consider a larger truck. I fell into the "trap" myself. Wound up trading a 6 month old F150 for the F250 in my sig. Believe me, it hurts to take that kind of financial hit!



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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/Ravin DI/DO, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 F150 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires, Smittybilt nerf bars & Line-X bedliner.

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