I have 04 4x4 4.6 with 3.55 open diff.

Options: xcalibrator or 3.73 LS gears

The reason I would go with 3.73 gears is to get the limited slip and oem gears. Found something who will do the install for $200 that includes front and rear.

The truck just feels sluggish at times and I figured the lower gears would help out in city driving plus highway drives. It seems like the 4.6 might pull the lower gears better. I know the programmer will give me extra power. I don't know whether to try and get the gears now and then later do the programmer or just forget the gears and just do the programmer. The only option for gears would be factory oem 3.73 LS gears not any lower. Any suggestions?

 

$200 for a gear change . Ole boy mechanic must not want to eat very much.
Everywhere I've asked around says $900 and up.

Hell, for that price, go with the gears.

 

3.55 to 3.73 isnt worth the change.

 

He wants them because of the LS also... I say if you can get the entire swap I.E.: parts labor and materials used for the swap, all for 200 bucks, go for the gears and then get the tuner asap, you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

Get the programmer,it's cheaper and will give you more performance than gears.
Seriously you didn't mean $200 for parts and install for gears?

 

make sure the mechanic is going to stand behind on his work if you do the gears. Gears are not one of those things you can half ***. thy have to be perfect or i t will cost you a lot more in the long run.

I would say xcaliber.

 

$200 just for the install. Guy is a friend of me and will change them out for $100 per axle. If I went with the gears it would be for the LS and performance. If I did the gear swap I would want to notice a performance increase. I know I would like the LS but I also want a performance increase. If there is not going to be a performance increase going with the 3.73s it will come down to having a LS rear or getting extra HP from the programmer.

 

in that case... programmer

 

It's kinda of a tough one but since you say the mechanic is a friend of yours I think that you should go with the programmer and if you still think its alittle sluggish go for the gears your friend should still be able to give them to you for 200 I assume.

 

To keep your speedo accurate, you're gonna need a tuner after the gear change anyhow. Save for both.