Hello,

I sold my '97 4x4 supercab flareside in November and have been waiting for the SuperCrew Flareside to come out. Well I have finally located a few but the one that I am interested most in has the 5.4 (which I want) but it only has the 3:55 limited slip differencial.

Just curious as to if this is going to make a huge difference in towing or power delivery in general verses the 3:73. My old truck had the 4.6 and 3:55 gears with the off-road package and it didn't seem too strong. Wasn't sure if it was because of the engine or the gears.

The trailer I pull loaded with motorcycles weighs at most 5,500 lbs. and I am in Florida so no big mountains here.

Anyone got any advise. I like the truck but am just unsure of the gearing.

Oh yeah...the reason I don't just order one is because this one is at a great price because they are clearing out inventory. I won't get the same price if I order one.

Sorry this is so long. An help is appreciated.

 

I don't think it's enough of a difference to matter unless you'll be running larger than stock size tires, and in that case most guys go to at least 4.10s anyways. I've got 3.73s in a '97 truck with a 5.4 2V, and 3.55s in my '04 with a 5.4 3V. Both tow what I've got to move around as if it wasn't there.

 

Its not worth spending the $$ to go from 3:55's to 3:73's for the minimal difference. I would go with 4:10's if your looking for any noticeable difference.

 

thanks for all the quick replies

The only modifications I would be looking to do would be a leveling kit and either 285/70 BF G's on the stock 17 inch wheel or to get a set of take off FX4 wheels and tires. Neither of these should drastically change the gearing effectively would they. Aren't the FX4 275/60/r18 wheels and tires about the same overall height as the 255/70/r17?

 

Okay, I did a search and found that the FX4 tire is about 1 inch large overall than the stock 255 on the XLT. I also found that the 285/70/17 BFG is about 1.5 inches larger overall.

I am guess that the 285's would make a significant difference in the effective gearing.

I think I may have gone from needing to be in the powertrain forum to the tire and wheel forum.

 

i have the 5.4 with 3.55 gears. i changed from my stock 235 tires to 265 tires. i tow my stang on the trailer weighing 5000lbs and have no problems even through the mountains.
you wont have any problems.

 

Would this be the same for an F-150 2 wheel drive,5.4v8 going from 3.55 vs. 3.73? If given a choice of getting a 3.55 or 3.73 buying the vehilce new, would the 3.73 be that much of a better choice? I am wanting to pull a cmping trailer (20-29ft. around 5,500 - 6,800pounds) sometime uphills in mountains.