Ok guys, after a year of researching and procrastinating, I finally did a gear swap on my F150, 4X4. Went from (stock) 3.55's to 4.10's. Local shop did the entire job (front and rear), parts and labor for $1218. Picked it up late this afternoon. They advise there is a 500 mile break in prior to towing anything and to take it real easy the first 200-300 miles.

I'm babying it right now but will post back with an update as I put a few miles on it. The first thing I noticed - the dreaded rear end whine is gone!

 

Where do you live?

 

Just outside Jackson, MS

 

Who did them for you?

 

If your anything like me, I'll bet you've already lit those tires up.

has your performance picked up? I wonder if the gain is worth the $1200? It looks mighty tempting

 

Nice. Post back with results when you get into it a little.

Also, did they tell you to replace the diff. fluid after break in? If not, it's not a bad idea.

 

Jackson Powertrain on Old Brandon Road. I picked their brains a bit before I committed to this project and they seem very knowledgeable about gears, drivelines, axles, etc.

The only thing that even remotely worried me was when I picked it up late yesterday. One of the mechanics said, "yeah, we ain't worked on many of these new models" It was all good though. They told me the rear end regearing went much faster than the front; it took another full day and 2 men to do the front axle. Said compared to the GMs, this one didn't leave much room to work. However, he said the materials are made out of much heavier material on the Fords.

The manager took the time to discuss break in periods, even gave me a handout on proper break in. Told me it doesn't happen often but sometimes leaks may occur and to be sure to get it back down there if there are any problems.

Gonna be driving like my grandma the next few hundred miles!

 

Thanks... Let us know how it is in a month or two.

 

Jason (djh1121) - I see you live in Kosciusko (see how many people here know how to pronounce that!) Who installed your exhaust? I'm looking for a similar setup.

Thanks

Mark


BTW - nice sig!

 

Guys. I'm not saying ANYONE is wrong, I'm just simply thinking out loud so jump down my throat. LOL! Everyone is always talking about breaking in a set of gears. But, what about when the trucks leave the factory? No one ever seems to break them in than. .

 

Or the motors for that fact. I have taken my last 2 vehicles to the track with under 500 miles on them. As for gears I usually "break them in" by doing a burnout out of the shop. Always last and never problems.

 

Exactly! I break in all of my vehicles hard and have never had a problem. .

 

I hear ya. Trust me, I've showed a lot of restraint the last few days, I'm really wanting to push it a little. I just don't want to take a chance on doing any type of damage. With two kids in college, money is too hard to come by.

The mechanic that was working on it told me he has seen his share of damage from not allowing a proper break in. I'll be the first to admit I don't fully understand it but I'm willing to follow his recommendation for 500 miles (with my driving, that will only be another week).

I've got a pontoon boat I would love to haul to the lake this weekend. We're taking a friend's Chevy. Oh gosh, I hope he can pull it back up the boat ramp!

 

JP does good work. I am thinking about regearing my truck so I can run a bigger tire and still tow my travel trailer. My truck is 2wd so it would be cheaper. What kind of gears did they use do you know?

 

What are your old RPM/New RPM at 70-75. I assume most people drive the interstate at 70-75. With my 3.55's and 18s I'm at 2000 at 75 and want some 4.10s badly for the stock tire.

I know you can calulate, but I want to know. Also hows your highway MPG changed?