I just found out that my truck has probably the worst gears ford made for these trucks. Its a 2001 F-150 XLT 4x4 fully loaded. I think it might have the tow package but I'm not sure how to tell if it does or no. it has the 3.31 open diff gears not the LS. It says on the drivers side stick that I have axle code 27. It doesnt show me a axle code 27 for my year of truck on this site. It shows it for the 04-06 but not 01. The diff take says 3 31 with a 8 8 rear end. I have 265/75/16's on it now and the door sticker says stock were 235/70/16. Is that right can a 4x4 have such small stock tires and horrible gears. Everytime I find somethign new about my truck it just seems to be bad news. Did I buy the worst 4x4 F-150 ford makes. It has the 4.6L engine by the way too. whats my best bet on getting this thing to perform better bec I'm going to be adding 33/12.50/16 mud tires soon.

 

Well, I would't say you have the worst. I know the 97's could come with 3.08 gears and around the same size tires. I would put some 4.10s in since you are going to 33's. Also might want to put a locker in while your at it.

 

Yeah thats like a 2000 bucks upgrade for me in canada lol. Anyway why would they put 235/70/16 and 3.31 on a 4x4 XLT anyway. I thought XLT was a higher up model of f150's.

 

You probably don't have the offroad package. Do you have skid plates???

 

I never looked for skid plates on the truck. I'll have to look at get back to you.

 

The "off road" package or the "tow package" do not have a 'standard' gear ratio or tire package that comes with it....

I don't recall what the off road package cost, but it only adds skid plates to the front diff, trans case, and fuel tank and you get the 'off road' sticker on the fender (heck, my truck has the stickers, but no skid plates.... Go figure.....)

I think that the tow package was only a $350 option or so. All it included was the frame mounted hitch, 7 pin plug, bigger alt, bigger bat, additional relays/fuses and a bigger trans cooler. I think it also had "heavy duty shocks", whatever that means, they still sucked...

If you wanted different gears and or LS, that was a separate option all together. Standard gears, depending on the year, was either 3.08 or 3.31 and LS is and was always a separate option.

IMO, a 4.6 equipped truck with 3.31 gears and even 31" tall tires would be a dog.... I could tell a difference with 3.55 gears, 5.4 and 31" tires. Could not imagine yours with 33" tires!

Good luck!

Mitch

 

ohh its a total dog. It falls flat on its face from the 1st to 2nd shift. On the highway its not too bad, but not too good either. I think I have the tow package on my truck. I do have the 7 Pin prong for the trailer lights. I dont think I have skid plates and I dont have the Off Road sticker just the 4x4.

 

if you thinks thats bad, wait till you hear this. my dad has ha 95 f150 with the 4.9 I6 and came with 2.73 gears from the factory. all is good now he put 3.55 in it and it has made a world of difference.

 

Your best bet if you want to keep the truck is to put some 3.73's or 4.10's in it. I'd go for the 4.10's if going to a 33" tall tire however.

Get the speedo reprogrammed so the trans shifts right and you should notice some more pep off the line. You'll probably get better city mpg's too, because you won't have to give it a bunch of gas just to get rolling!

Wish I had 3.73's in mine with the 31" tires..... Not willing to part with a grand or so just to move up that little bit of ratio however... Dunno, might decide to get some 33" tires and go for some 4.10's..... Hummm......

 

If it came with a tow package or off road package back in 97 or 98 you got 3:55 gears Ford didnt put 3:73 gears in untill the 99 model year, so if you change gears i would get 4:10 gears because between 3:55 and 3:73 gears you probably woulnt hardly notice it and it would be a waste of money