Hi, I have a 4.2l + 265/75R16 + 3.08 gears
as you can imagine I want some more off-road power. I need to change my 3.08 to 3.55 or 3.73 gears, my dealership said that it was a 2225$ cdn all included for the job.

My truck isn't that bad on the road (I can manage to squeel my rear tires a little, I mean a little). But I find to be using the Low 4x4 mode too much off-road. I will get a SuperChip first to help out my engine but I plan on changing gears. Any one out there done this before and if so how much $$$

P.S I bought this truck used, If I could have afforded it new. I wouldn't have bought 3.08 gears with the V6. Besides since I'm dreaming here, I would have bought a 5.4, then put on a lift kit & some 38's or 44's.

thanks

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1997 XLT 4.2l ORP 5-speed

http://www.eph1fifty.cjb.net

 

See my post to the guy's question about upgrading to LS below. The labor is the same as swapping differentials. The shop that I spoke with quoted $550 U.S. for a ring and pinion swap, parts, labor, etc. A dealership is exorbitantly high on these types of "repairs." The only thing the outside shop didn't offer to do was recalibrate the speedometer. Sometimes when you ask a dealer to do these types of modifications for you they swap the entire third member, thus the high dollar price.

 

4byFord,
e-mail me @ franksnbeans67@hotmail.com I'm selling my OEM 3.55 gears (25,000 miles) ($100.00 firm)

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98 F-150 XLT, SC, SWB, 2WD, Pac. Grn., 4.2L auto, 4.10 gears w/ LS, Tow Pkg., BFG AT's 265/75/16, K&N air filter, Dynomax muffler, Superchip, Edelbrock shocks, Hellwig sway bar, 3" body lift, signal mirrors, ...tons of cosmetic products

 

Dumb question to 4byFord:

What's the problem with using 4x4 low? Seems that you've got the best of both worlds (great highway and effective off-road) with that set up. I'm new to 4x4'ng, so be easy on me.

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Y2K XLT EC 5.4L 7700# SB 4x4 w/LS 3.73 (repeat buyer)

 

Check your hotmail, just sent you an email.
thanks for the great deal... (the gears are from a 4x4 right????)

[This message has been edited by 4byFord (edited 02-21-2000).]

 

It's not a dumb question J

What I meant was; Where I used to go in 4x4 HI, I now have to be in Low gear (call me a perfectionist). Power is most welcome when your going through deep snow, or mud. I'm not putting down low gear, I always used it when pulling cars out of ditches or going up a steep hill (I find it is easier with the manual trans when in low gear----don't have to "slip the clutch" to go over an obstacle).

I find the Low gear a little cumbersome when I'm on somewhat flat terrain with lots of mud I like to be able to go fast, but I need power when, lets say the mud gets a little deeper. The deeper it gets I can feel the truck slowing down, loosing RPM, then I have to downshift. Doing this can get me stuck in the mud if I slow down enough to loose floatation plus when I press on the clutch momentarily my wheels no longer get power In low gear, I don't want to be in 4th gear doing 40km/h (you can hear the gears turning really fast in the transfer case) This can't be good for my transfercase.

My 3.08 gears where perfect as you say "best of both worlds" I got 22 MPG on highway. Thats why I want 3.55 which in term will give me my aprox.: 3.08 "effective" gear ratio. All I want is to have the same feeling as I did with my 235/70R16 tires only with much better 265/75R16 tires.

Your new to 4x4'ing, I see you have a perfect set up for it 5.4l 3.73 gears LS
thats great. Gotta love them Ford Trucks enh?