Hi everyone - Long time reader and appreciate the information that is out there. One of the most valuable sites I've been on!

Here's my situation:
2008 4.6 2wd F150
3.55 gears - 0pen dif
265/16/18 (29 inch tires I believe)

Just bought a 21 ft boat - about 3500 - 4000 pounds loaded down and need to upgrade to either a limited slip or locker to give that much needed traction pulling my boat out of the ramp. Since I need to upgrade the differential, also figure I should look into new gears as I'd like to put on a 2.5 leveling kit and 32/33 tires with my stock rims.

With me towing a lot (probably 5 months out of the year) and putting on larger tires, recommendation on gear size? Was leaning towards 4.10 or 4.30 gears. Problem is my current tires are only 20% worn so won't be replaced for awhile and needs to be considered.

Also, anyone have boating experience with 2wd? Looking at the Detroit TrueTrac LS and am assuming that will be sufficient.

I know there are a ton of gear related questions on these forums but my situation is a little unique in that i'm not looking to upgrade tires for awhile, will be towing a lot, and would like to do everything all at once with the end goal in mind. Thanks!

 

For cost reasons alone I'd pick up someone's oem trac-loc they work great. One just sold on here for like $75
You would likely be fine w/ 3.73 but extra torque from 4.10's would be cool forsure

 

Detroit TruTrac LS for the diff, and 4.10 gearing would be perfect.

 

I have a boat of the same size and weight, with the same gears only with LS. I have no issues towing the boat with 3.55's. Sure it'd be nice to have 4.10's, but I'm not sure I'd want 4.10's full-time. As long as you aren't towing multiple times per week, then I wouldn't worry about the gear ratio. IT actually helps out a bit on a slippery ramp since the wheels aren't as apt to spin when power is put to them. I do have the 5.4L though, instead of the 4.6L.

 

I have towed my brother-in-law's (16' speed) boat several times. Mine is a 2004, 2wd, 4.6L (2 valve), with a detroit true-trac, stock 3.55 gears, and p265/70r17 tires. I had no problems at all. I personally love the true-trac. If you are willing to spend the money it's much better than the trac-lock.

 

Hi everyone - thanks for the replies. This is exactly what I was looking for - real world experience. I think i'm going to invest in the true-trac and go with the 4.10 considering I will be towing a lot and will eventually upgrade to a bigger tire. Good to know I should be fine towing a boat with 2wd...

 

You're on the right track...it's all about traction. When I see guys spin tires on the ramp, it's usually due to stock, street tires. Spinning one tire is just funny so getting an LS is a great idea. I used to have an Auburn LS in my Tahoe and I liked it very much. I also think you can pick up an inexpensive, pre-owned OEM 3.73 here in the classifieds...there were several just a few days ago. And when the time comes, getting a more aggressive all terrain tire would be more than enough to do the job. If going with a new gear set, 4.10's are nice but look at a gear ratio/RPM chart to know what you're getting into.

I cant wait to get the boat out this year.

 

StoveTop - Getting an all terrain tire is definitely the plan once I upgrade. I found this calculator by doing a quick search in this forum:

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

Anyone know how I can figure out what transmission I have? Also, what would I select for the transfer case given it's 2wd and I don't have one?

 

With the 4.6 you should have the 4R70E tranny I believe. 5.4 has the 4R75E I think.

 

Hey guys, Im new to this forum. Not sure exactly how to post stuff yet, haha. But heres my question, I have a 2008 Harley Davidson F150 (2wd) and Im looking into buying a boat in the 26-29ft range. I know the truck can pull a bout that weight towing, my only big problem might be the getting the boat up the ramp. So do you think my f150 (5.4L and 2wd) can pull a 29 footer? Not sure the exact weight of the boat, but probably around 5,500lbs ish.


These are the boats I am looking into:

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...-286-100765447

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...Console-206881

 

First off, welcome. Secondly, it would be better to post a new thread instead of reviving a thread that hasn't been replied to in 8 months. In any case, the capability of your truck to pull the boat out of the water is dependent on many things. I would double check the tow rating of your H-D as I know they had lower than standard tow ratings depending on AWD or Supercharged version.

In any case, I doubt you'd have too much trouble with a boat that long, as the rear tires won't likely need to be in the water much if at all. It will also depend a bit on where you put in at, as non-concrete ramps could be an issue. If you are putting a boat that size in the water off of a non-paved ramp, you're more of a man than I am!

I would assume those center-console rigs you are looking at would weight a little less per given length than a cigarette-style boat or cruiser, so you may get a little break there.