I've posted a couple asking for help regarding needing a little more power for towing a 21ft boat. I enjoy fishing not working on my truck. I don't have a clue about alot of this stuff. I enjoy my truck but, would like to get some info from you guys that know what the hell your talking about. I have a 1998 F150 XLT 4x4 ex-cab with the 4.6. It has the tow package on it. I was told it probably has 3.55 gears. I believe the original tires were 265's. I went to a BFG 285/75 R16. I've added a Superchip, K&N airintake kit and a new exhaust. I notice very lttile difference with the mods. The truck stuggles some pulling my boat. I've been told to go to 4.10 gearing. Is this one set of gears or more? Do you do the front as well as the back? Remember I don't have a clue on this stuff. What is a ballpark figure for replacing the gears? I read one post that said around 300.00 installed and another said over 1300.00. That is a huge difference. All advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Rich,

Your right there is a ton of info on this subject. 4x4 Cost is going to be anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 for the gears and install. The reason is that they switch both front and rear gears. The Independent Front suspension (IFS) is very labor intensive for switching gears and thats why it's so much. (and yes you must switch both.) I believe there are a multitude of posts as to the why the larger tires cause your power loss so I won't go into that. Cheapest solution: don't use larger tires. I'm stuck with mine till I can afford to do the gear swap and do it correctly. Ps let me know if you wanna sell yours :-)

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Y2K F150 4x4 XL Med Torredor Red
4.2 5 speed,AIRAID, SuperCHIP,
3.55 LS, Leer camper shell, bedrug,
Ranchhand Rover Brushguard 2X Off road lights
Tint/alarm/ aftermarket keyless entry/locks
VHF, HF, CB, 3 Scanners
regulator@f150driver.com
www.goarmy.com

 

I agree with Regulator, except you don't really need to change both, but engaging 4xd will be very exciting (just kidding ).

Changing to smaller tires (or at least back to 265's) would really help -- since if you changed your tire size by 5% it's the same as going from 3.73 down to 3.55 (3.55/3.73 = 5% change) -- or in your case 3.55 * 95% = 3.37 effective ratio.

The only case that I've been able to support for going to bigger tires is to offset the cost of additional mileage on a lease (it works if your tires are cheap enough), smile.

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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 AW-Disc, 3.73LS, Skid, 7700# HD Towing, Chrome LT-245, Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, keyless, Toreador Red, called "Nick"

 

My F-150 (4x2)is in the shop now having this mod done. I'm going from 3.08's to 3.73's. The gears (ring and pinion) costed $200. The installation kit was $100. The labor was $160. Gear oil & additive was $10. Total:$470. In addition to this I had them install a Traction-Lok diff for added traction. You may or may not already have this. But if you want one now is the time. Ran me about $265 (one unit). Keep in mind that mine is a 4x2. For your 4x4 you can expect $1000 easy..said and done, maybe more. I wouldn't expect over $1500 dollars for just a front/rear gear swap, though. Shop around. Use someone well known for good work, or the setup will make noise and won't last, especially under towing conditions. The first guy quoted me $700 for my 4x2. Next guy quoted me $470 (reccommended by a 4x4 shop and has a waiting list). Take your time and choose gears wisely. Good Luck.
-Hank

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1996 F-150 XLT, 302, 5sp., Toreador Red, Tow Pkg, Optional Payload Pkg, HD susp., Flowmaster 40 series, "Duals", K&N FIPK, Raven Cap, Bumper Guards, Hood Ornament, Lariat Emblems, Unity Lights, Jet Chip, Wilson 5000, B&M Shift ****, Hidden Hitch w/ Ford Motorsports Cover,
3.73 gears coming SOON

 

I called around today for the gear replacement cost. The best price was $1109.00. That would be to take it from the current 3.55's to 4.10's. How much difference can I expect between the 3.55's and the 4.10's? I was told the 3.73's would not be worth the money. I'd like to haul butt off the line as well as haul my 21ft boat back and forth to the lake. As long as I can do 75 on the highway I'll be happy. Please let me know your opinions.

 

My predicition is that you'll LOVE the 4.10's, and your gas mileage will suffer less than expected. Off the line snap will make you wonder why you waited so long!

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'97 S/C XLS black/silver 157" WB, 4.6/auto, 3:08, home made custom stainless tube grille, terminator muffler, phantom sweep wiper switch(factory installed), a few billet aluminum goodies (the list grows), airbox mods, TPS tuned
email: bazils@hotmail.com
http://content.communities.msn.com/bazilspix/PhotoAlbum

 

richgonfishon,
Like I mentioned in your other post "Anyone with 4.10's & 31" tires?"
the installation of 4.10's will put a permanent smile on your face, even a bad day fishing can't wipe off that smile :-). The cost of $1109.00 is right in the ball park for a 4x4. Good luck w/ this mod, because once you feel the power, you might give up fishing for a while just so you can drive that tire smok'in truck around. If you haven't read this already on the boards, I'm sure it will come up again and that is the proper brake in proceedures of a new gear set. It is very easy to burn-up a brand new gear set less than in 20 miles. I have seen new gears toasted in just a matter of minutes because some knuckel head could'nt keep his foot off the gas pedal. Have a well known local gear shop explain the proper way to brake-in new gears. You can also read more about it here;
http://www.ring-pinion.com/Gear%20Talk/NewGear.html

again, good luck w/ your install and ~happy fishing~!

Regards,

F&B's

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1998 (50th anniversary series) Solid Pacific Green F-150 XLT, Supercab, 6' bed, 2WD, 4.2L automatic, Limited Slip and Tow Pkg., Rear slider

Performance Mods:
Superchip
4.10 gears
Outerwears pre-filter and K&N air filter
Dynomax Super Turbo muffler

Suspension:
Edelbrock IAS shocks
Hellwig rear sway bar

Other:
3" body lift
Signal mirrors
Stull polished grills
(4)55 watt driving lights
(2)55 watt back-up lights
all controlled by SPDT switches
Fiberglass hood ;-)
Painted tailgate handle and OEM air dam
Color keyed outer grill
OEM fender flares
Black Max soft Tonneau cover
Driver side grab handle
Lift lips
Viper alarm w/(remote start)
3" rear seat lift
Smart Park 2000
BFG AT's 265/75/16
Carr side steps.......
lmaox10@hotmail.com




[This message has been edited by franks&beans (edited 05-28-2000).]

 

Go with the 4.10s and have a good shop do it. I went from 255s to 285s on the Expedition and, like you, wasn't real happy with towing or performance. New gears solved the problem and fuel mileage has actually gone UP!. My only guess as to how it improved is that the truck isn't downshifting and revving up to 3K+ rpms any more.

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

I would go with a minimum of 4.10's for your particular truck. If you ever intend on going to larger tires I would make sure and take that into consideration. I think 4.30's may be available for your truck. A friend of mine has them on a F-250SD with stock tires and the truck is a hoss. Larger tires=lower gears needed. Also, when I had mine installed the break-in procedure was to drive it very easy for 15-20 miles then let the diff cool completely. Then drive it easily for the next 200 miles. And drive it 500 miles before any towing. My break in procedure was in the box with the ring & pinion. I'm at 150 miles now and no noise or problems.

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"RED ROCKET"
1996 F-150 XLT, 302, 5sp., 3.73 Precision Gears, Traction-Lok, K&N FIPK, Jet Module, Flowmaster 40 series, "Duals", Toreador Red, Tow Pkg, Optional Payload Pkg, Raven Cap, Bumper Guards, Hood Ornament, Lariat Emblems, Unity Fog Lights, Jet Chip, Wilson 5000, B&M Shift ****, Hidden Hitch w/ Ford Motorsports Aluminum Cover