I've done the searches, read the threads, but I still can't figure out if moving from 3.55 to 4.10 gears or a tuner will give me greater bang for my buck (better mpg normally and tow better when I need to). I have the 4.6 w/3.55 gears and I'm running 295/70r17's. I also tow a 4000 lbs. trailer and a 5500 lbs. boat sometimes. Yes I should have bought a 5.4 but all I had at the time was a 2800 lbs. pop-up trailer so it really didn't matter. Things change and I'm way too upside down to trade in the truck at this point.

So, new gears or a tuner first? I can't do both and I probably won't be able to do which ever one I don't pick for a few months.

Thanks for your help.

-Tim

 

start with the tuner first, heres why...

tuner, change cpu to handle gear changes, improved response from accel., more performance, my 4.6 was a dog and couldnt even chirp the tires from a stop with the 235 stocks, now it will light up the 285's

tuner cost $350

gears, more acceleration, your top end will suck and your speedo will be off

gear cost 400-1000+ depending on location and installer

all posted on the laptop while updating my diablo in the truck!!

 

asinatra is right, Tuner first. Not only is it easy to do, and a lot of fun, but you will need the tuner to correct your speedo after you put in the gears.
Some dealers won't adjust for gears, others charge, why pay? If you already have the tuner, you can do the gears cheaper as you can set the miles by yourself.

Have fun,
Chris

 

tune changes. Whoot. Time to update now.

 

Thanks for the advise guys. I was leaning toward the tuner anyway. I can get the tuner and Airade jr. for less then gears anyway. Combined with the exhaust that I already have, I should feel and see a difference.

-Tim

 

I dissagree with everyone...
I say upgrade the gears first.. to 4.30 gear set.

His top end wont matter, cause how often do you drive over 100... not that often....

Any the tuner doesnt really make a whole heck of a difference unless you run the hi-performance tune anyways.... and with the hi-perf..you cant tow over 4000LBS.

If you get the gears, your local ford dealer will re-tune your speedo for $25 'I THINK'...

With new gears, you will not only be able to "light em up", but towing the trailer and boat will be much easier and also not work your tranny so hard..

Gears first.. tuner second... (In my opinion)

 

Hi khendrix2374, I think he lives in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, about 60 miles south of me. They want a tad more to adjust the speedo here. (a tad in California terms is triple or more).
The other problem here is about three fourths of the dealerships won't do it. There has been some kind of decision in the courts that says you can't change gears here for emissions reasons. Don't know much, just heard the same story from every Ford shop I wanted to deal with.

Doesn't mean he can't do it, just means it's a little tuffer. Also, it runs about 700 bucks, cheapest place I have found in a 90 mile radius.
Other wise I woud have a nice set of 4.10 in my truck right now. Still probably will, sometime after warranty, or if I just happen to be in Vegas and have some time to kill...
Chris

 

towing a decent load with a very heavy truck with a 4.6 engine, 3.55 gears, and oversized tires...

you should indeed have a tuner, but it isn't going to give you nearly the bennefit (and wear reduction) that gears would give you.

Highway driving, your fuel economy will decrease; city driving (and definately towing) it will improve.

I'm guessing your stock tires were 30.5"? With the tires you have on there now, you're towing fairly moderate loads with a small motor and effectively a 3.28 gear ratio. A tuner is not going to make a huge difference here.

With your oversized tires, 4.10's would give you the 'feel' of a 3.73 with standard 30.5" tires. You have a 2wd, so a gear swap is much cheaper, and thusly, as someone else suggested, 4.30 is an option. Personally, I would opt for that, but 4.10 would still give a large improvement.

You say you are too wrapped up financially to get into a different truck, so I would assume you need your current truck to last as long as possible. With that much weight, a small motor, small rear end, and a steep gear ratio to begin with that is made much worse by your larger tires, your truck is going to wear out pretty darn quickly.

Personally I would get new gears in there ASAP...

 

New Gears. NO question about it.

IMO..

 

I'd go with Gears first. The tuner will definitely give you more power and will help and is cheaper. But, you will still have to keep your foot in it hard to keep moving, as with gears, you will be in the gas less, will be easier to start, easier to pass on the highway, and I think, you would be happier.

Gears are about the same price as the tuner, assuming you can do the install yourself, which isn't too bad.

 

Well, thanks everyone for your input. I think I'm gonna suck it up and go with a tuner and gears and get the intake in a few months.

-Tim

 

Not a bad idea!

 

Remember if you get new gears after a custom tune then you will need a new tune.

Go gears first and then get the tune to match your setup.

 

From what I understand, a tuner will allow me to make the changes when I get the gears. At least that's what Superchips and Diablo adervertise.

-Tim

 

Unless you get custom tunes via SCT Xcalibrator. Then, if you have the email update stuff, you have to have the person that you bought it from to email the adjustments to you...Kevin