Ok,
Believe me when I tell you guys I have read, read AND READ every post I could. And I'm about to go CROSS EYED!! Edge Programmer, Gyphron, Tunes, 87 Performance, Level 2 tow, 93 Performance........WTH is going on?? I'm so lost right now its not even funny.

Here's the deal I just lifted my 06 SCrew FX4 with a 6" lift and I'm running 20x10 wheels with 35's Toyo MT's. Yup you guessed it I felt the loss in power right away. Now I'm looking to get the power I lost back and then some. I dont want noting too crazy as I have read on some of the post, but some extra ponies would be nice as well.

Help me out guys, what do you suggest?

 

First
Tuner/Programmer w/custom tunes

Second
Regear to 4.56

Third
Supercharger

 

I WISH!!!!!!!!!!

 

The options posted by 88racing are the ways to go, but since it sounds like regearing and a supercharger are not an option, go ahead and get a programmer. Take the gryphon for example (there are other good ones), buy it with canned tunes, takes about 5-10 minutes to install, run either level 2(89oct) or 3(91-93oc) with correct settings for tire size and you will notice a difference. If you desire custom tunes, go ahead and order them and install once they come in, run the canned tunes in the mean time.

As for your question "87 Performance, Level 2 tow, 93 Performance", that's all what you want out of it, if you want to save some money on fuel and get the most out of it go with 87 performance. Its always nice to keep at least one mode for towing as its not recommended to tow in a performance mode to save the drive-train. If you want the most it has to offer go with a custom 93 performance tune and maybe add a few bolt on items on and have the tune match to them.

Overall if you run canned tunes, I think you will be surprised at the amount of loss you get back.

 

I agree with 88Racing, except I'd swap the order of Programmer and Gears.

I've calculated that you lose a bit over 3% in acceleration for every inch you increase the tire diameter. A programmer MIGHT get you 8-10% back, but that's with a GOOD tune (a tune also helps your transmission and that's worth a bunch to me too).

But, new gears can completely restore or improve the feeling of power (acceleration you feel when you floor it). However, be careful you don't gear too high. If you reduce the engine load too much, Ford's power control strategy also reduces the power output (according to Bill Cohron at PHP).

- Jack

 

well if you don't you're gonna be going thru transmissions and fuel like they are going out of style in your gutless wonder

 

Maybe I should've stated both at the same time........

My original thoughts were if the op had the tuner in hand before the gears that it would save a flash of the pcm at a dealer to correct for the gear size.

 

tarajerame,
So if i dont put a programmer, re gear, and super charger in my truck im going to run "thru transmissions and fuel like they are going out of style?" Gas I believe but "transmissions" gimme a BREAK!

Anyways thanks to the rest of you guys! I will be purchasing a programmer soon, hopefully a Gryphon. Thanks Again!

 

Seriously, the extra strain on these transmissions, casued by adding to the rolling mass weight by lifting and huge wheels and tires has caused several to experience transmission losses. Some more than once. Regearing will be the single best mod for helping extend the life of the transmission, with those mods. A tuner is needed and will aid in performance, but will not help extend the life of the transmission. Just my opinion, based on what I have seen happen to others. These transmissions are not the strongest component of these trucks, to start with.

 

as stated above, the regear is a must



the others are optional...





but then again it's your truck and your money, good luck

 

Get the tune first. Ask your tuner to allow you to reprogram the shift points, shift firmness and increase the optional tire size and gear ratio. Save up your money and get the gears changed. I would recommend 4.56:1 or 4:88. As for which tune to get, I would get a 87 tow, 91 tow and a 93 performance. Yes a blower would be fun but it is not necessary. But........ If you do plan on it you will need a tranny built to take the extra torque.

 

Keep in mind guys he is only running 35's. Yes re gearing is the way to go, but be careful not to over-gear. What gears are you currently running 3.55 or 3.73? If you have 3.73 you should be ok. Let us know what you think of the programmer.

 

since undergearing is worse than overgearing, DON'T FEAR THE GEAR

 

 

Not going to happen with just a tuner. You may get close, but with 10% more tire diameter, you should just hope for the same power as you originally had. (The issue isn't really "power," rather rear wheel torque. You have the same power as before, just at a different speed.)

The transmission strain is really only a problem in two conditions (IMO):
1. In normal driving, you are hunting between gears at highway speed.
2. You are towing near the limit of your truck. I have 3.55 gears with stock 31.9" tires on my '09 4x4. My truck is rated to tow 9700 lbs. Extrapolating from the tow limit lost when going to the 3.31 gear, I estimate that I would be rated to tow only 7700 lbs with 35" tires. (My effective rear ratio drops to 3.23 with 35" tires)

#1 can be corrected with a programmer tweaking the shift points. If you aren't towing near your limit, I wouldn't bother regearing unless the truck just feels too sluggish to you. If you were to regear, I would get a 10% shorter gear if you liked how the truck felt originally - probably not worth it. Personally, I wouldn't even consider something as short as the recommended 4.88. I have driven a vehicle with a very short gear; it burns more fuel and is louder on the highway. Also, there are certain speeds where it is slower - when you are just a little too fast to drop the extra gear. If this speed is at, say a common merge speed (55 MPH), it can be annoying.