Effects of different gears?
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lima, Ohio , USA
Effects of different gears?
I posted earlier under a different catagory but think I need to be here. What effect/difference would I notice between 3.55 and 3.73. I really don't trust car salemen so I'm seeking your help. I'm ordering a new F150 Supercab 4x4 with the new, more Powerful?? 4.6 and a manual transmisson. I bought a ford ranger new in 1987 with the then biggest engine 2.9. I'm getting the standard tires on the f150 because it will be cheaper to buy new aftermarket than order the ones offered by ford. I don't want super big ones but do want larger than the ones . I'm a school teacher so this is a really big purchase for me but then I expect to keep it for another 10 years. Really trying to do my homework so I don't have any regrets.
Getting back to my original question, I'd like to know your opinion regarding the effect of the two different gears on
1. gas mileage
2. hole shot power
3. passing on the highway
4. durability
5. with or without slip differential?
One final note, I'll only be pulling a 17' aluminum bass boat but I do travel to Michigan and Tennessee to fish (lots of hills!!) I'd really appreciate your input on this midboggling decision. As a sidebar, am I making a mistake with the 4.6? I'd like to be able to pass something besides gas!!
Thanks
Clarke Prichard
Getting back to my original question, I'd like to know your opinion regarding the effect of the two different gears on
1. gas mileage
2. hole shot power
3. passing on the highway
4. durability
5. with or without slip differential?
One final note, I'll only be pulling a 17' aluminum bass boat but I do travel to Michigan and Tennessee to fish (lots of hills!!) I'd really appreciate your input on this midboggling decision. As a sidebar, am I making a mistake with the 4.6? I'd like to be able to pass something besides gas!!
Thanks
Clarke Prichard
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 0
1)not substantial difference in gas mileage.
2)better holeshot & quickness ( slight ).
3)better passing w & w/o trailer below top highways speeds, not alot of top speed loss.
4)durability = same, slight increase in top speed wear, but not used here much.
5)Absolutely get the LS, best in dry & rain.
If you don't drive at top speeds over 100mph, I would recommend the 3.73 . Quicker, and better towing ( you said "mountains" ). I love gears in the 4.10 range. The gearing of the AT has plenty left in 4th for it's top end with these gears, although highway mileage can be reduced due to higher rpms. One important factor here is that this is only a slight ratio difference. All of these effects would be highly pronounced if you were changing from 3.08 to 4.10 . Sidebar; if you are speaking of the 5.4, I believe it only comes w/AT and you seem to prefer MT ?? Good luck with your purchase and the information that others will give here at this sight will ease your tension about decisions. Happy Truckin.
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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.
2)better holeshot & quickness ( slight ).
3)better passing w & w/o trailer below top highways speeds, not alot of top speed loss.
4)durability = same, slight increase in top speed wear, but not used here much.
5)Absolutely get the LS, best in dry & rain.
If you don't drive at top speeds over 100mph, I would recommend the 3.73 . Quicker, and better towing ( you said "mountains" ). I love gears in the 4.10 range. The gearing of the AT has plenty left in 4th for it's top end with these gears, although highway mileage can be reduced due to higher rpms. One important factor here is that this is only a slight ratio difference. All of these effects would be highly pronounced if you were changing from 3.08 to 4.10 . Sidebar; if you are speaking of the 5.4, I believe it only comes w/AT and you seem to prefer MT ?? Good luck with your purchase and the information that others will give here at this sight will ease your tension about decisions. Happy Truckin.
------------------
2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Good advice from Max. Many people on this board enjoy their 4.6L. I'm from the school that thinks Dolly Pardon should fill out a little more, so the 5.4 was my choice.
Successfully pulling dramatic hole shots is a bit optimistic with a 4,000+# behemoth -- and 'fragged' small gearing (manual trans - 4.6L) has appeared on this board quite recently. You cannot (?) get the bigger gearing except on the 7700# package -- which comes only with auto tranny and 5.4L.
Limited slip differentials are treats in winter, as they keep your adrenelin flowing. When I tromp on it in the rain with my trailer (11,000 GCW) like when entering a freeway, the LS has had me going sideways more than I'd like.
For longevity, your choice of 4.6 5spd with LS and the towing and cooling package would serve you well -- and that's the only thing that Max would have added if he'd been asked.
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Y2K™
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"
Successfully pulling dramatic hole shots is a bit optimistic with a 4,000+# behemoth -- and 'fragged' small gearing (manual trans - 4.6L) has appeared on this board quite recently. You cannot (?) get the bigger gearing except on the 7700# package -- which comes only with auto tranny and 5.4L.
Limited slip differentials are treats in winter, as they keep your adrenelin flowing. When I tromp on it in the rain with my trailer (11,000 GCW) like when entering a freeway, the LS has had me going sideways more than I'd like.
For longevity, your choice of 4.6 5spd with LS and the towing and cooling package would serve you well -- and that's the only thing that Max would have added if he'd been asked.
------------------
Y2K™
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 9,417
Likes: 11
From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada
superclarke,
To get the 3.73 gears you must order the 5.4 V8. To get the 3.73 limited slip you must also add the 6500lbs package #1c. Doing so eliminates the 5 speed so if you want to keep the 5 speed 3.55 Limited slip is the lowest you can go from the factory. Been there done that. See my sig.
Regards
Jean Marc Chartier
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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
and air box, K&N air filter,
Superchips
To get the 3.73 gears you must order the 5.4 V8. To get the 3.73 limited slip you must also add the 6500lbs package #1c. Doing so eliminates the 5 speed so if you want to keep the 5 speed 3.55 Limited slip is the lowest you can go from the factory. Been there done that. See my sig.
Regards
Jean Marc Chartier
------------------
00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
and air box, K&N air filter,
Superchips