Folks, I've lucked into a situation where it looks like I'm going to trade in my '01 Lariat S-Crew (4x4) for a new '04 Lariate S-Crew 4x4. Here's my dilemma. It looks like the Lariat's can only be ordered with a 3.73 rear end. I really like the 3.55 limited slip on my '01 and I'm a little afraid of what kind of mileage the 04 is going to get with the lower gearing.

Has anyone re-geared one of these to 3.55? How much does something like that cost, and how hard is it for them to recalibrate the speedometer? Is there anyone among you who has a new 04 Lariat S-Crew 4x4, and if so what kind of mileage are you getting?

 

If the '04 has the 18" wheels, I think the tires are 33" tall..... You'll want the 3.73 in that case. Would be about the same as a 31" tire and the 3.55's.....

Good luck!

Mitch

 

I think the tires may be slightly larger, but not by much. They may have regeared it in the transmission too, who knows. It appears to run about the same RPM that my '01 did when cruising down the highway. The only other thing bothering me about the drivetrain is that when you punch it at highway speed it feels like it needs to grab another gear, it is only stepping down one gear and feels like it needs to go down two. At this point I think my '01 would probably walk away from this truck on the highway.