So I have everything ready to go on my F150 this week from Rancho Suspension 4" Lift to 35x12.5x18 with 18x10 Motto Wheels.

Do you guys think I should upgrade my gears? Many people have told me I should so I don't lose much low end power, what do you guys think? (Currently I believe my 04 F150 XLT has 3.73s from Factory)

Thanks for the advice. I'm researching around the forum as well and have mostly seen guys with 37s do it not 35s?

 

A lot of people run 4.56s with 35s, but its not necessary, especially if you have 3.73s. You will notice some power loss, but not a whole lot. You can check your door sticker for the axle code or if you have the original window sticker it should say what gears. Make sure you post up some pics when you get the lift on, sounds like its gonna look great!

 

thanks I appreciate that. I do lots of uphill driving and need the torque in the winter and just had my trans replaced about 65k and now I have 79k on it now so I just want to make sure it lasts and isn't strained too much.

 

arent you already lifted? (from looking at your sig pic)

 

Yeah that red truck in your sig looks like it has about a 4" lift and 35s already. Or maybe 33s

 

I would personally regear. I didnt like my old 05 with 3.73s and 35s. Between the wind drag and extra rotational mass it killed the mpg and power. IT would always downshift on the highways.

I ran 4.56s and it was much more enjoyable.

 

Regear when you get a chance, I drove for about 10 months with my 35's and 3.55 gears and it is horrible compared to 4.56's. I did mine as soon as i could for peace of mind knowing my tranny wasnt working as hard as it was. With 3.73 gears it will be tolerable but i think 4.56's are perfect.

 

yup bought it with 3" BL and 2.5 Leveling Kit and 33s. Now its getting the 4" Suspension Lift, removing the leveling kit and adding 35s


Thanks for the input guys. Guy at shop told me to drive it the weekend and see how it feels, and he'll order the parts and do the swap of that next week or the week after.

So how do the 4.56 Gears handle though? Easy to spin the tires? Just thinking in terms of winter traction while still having decent torque.

 

I've been running the heaviest tires IMO (toyos) in a 35 on 20" rim and I wouldn't say it's necessary to regear. I still tow and everything. It still has some get up and go. I would definitely put trans fluid exchange before a regear. Much smoother shifting. You won't be able to tell much of a difference at all. Btw I've ha mine on for around a year and a half to two years now.

 

Since you drive a lot of uphill, take it from me: you should absolutely regear. My truck with 35s and 3.73 hated going uphill. And since I tend to haul a lot of weight at times, it was even worse. As you go up in elevation, the torque drops from power loss and with the 3.73 gears the engine was never in the torque sweetspot without dropping into 2nd and RPMs shoot to 4k+.

With 4.56 my truck is much happier and cruises the CA mountains with gobs more power. Until you regear, always turn off OD when climbing. It will save your tranny.

 

^^^^ Just what I need for the North Jersey Mountains I drive up and down everyday! I'm having that issue now with the 33s. On level ground it has no issue with up and go but uphill just a bit. I emailed power hungry about a custom tune upgrade for it if I can get them installed next week so we'll see.

 

not tryin to hijack ur post but im doin a 6" procomp with 35's i have 08 5.4 4x4 xlt n never checked my gear ratio but im wonder the same along with price again srry for askin on ur post but i thought it be better than makin a new post.

 

What are your rim specs? offset... backspacing... is this what rancho called for?? thanks in advance..

 

I was quoted at $1200 to $1300 for the front and rear with parts/labor including the GOOD gears that everyone mentions on here....name escapes me now but I've read about it on here countless times for the last few days.

My Current rims are 18x19 Black FX4s with BFG A/Ts which I'm putting up for sale, not sure how much they are worth.

Truck is getting 18x10 Motto Metal in the only offset they had I believe? Don't remember what it was but I do know they sit out pretty far and match my fender flares

 

1 more week, was going to bring it home today but after the lift was on, they noticed the bad tie rods and ball joints, yet again....guys stay from leveling kits possibly even body kits lol only took 2 years for that b.s. to happen again.

So it's getting gears in the process, I should've have a maintenance free truck for a few months if not year aside from my regular oil changes Can't wait