I currently have a 2008 5.4 3.55 w/ tow of 8100lbs, i'm getting a camper ( 6000lbs) should i spend the $ 1000 plus to upgrade and gain 1000lbs towing? please help
i do plan on pulling to Tennessee mountains.

 

First of all, you will not gain 1000# towing capacity. Second, going to 3.73 is not worth it but going to 4.10 would be.

 

Thanks for the info, but according to Ford and my owners manual my truck equipped w/3.73 goes from 8200 to 9200 lbs. Unless my suspension cant handle it? I to was leaning more towards a 4.10 .

 

Disregarding the whole "payload" issue, as that's up to you if you exceed it or not... Just changing gear ratio will help to some extent, but if you are near the max tow rating of ANYTHING, you will know it and it won't be like towing nothing..

With a 2008, you probably only have the 4 speed trans?? Forgive me for not knowing, as I avoided that whole generation of 5.4's..

I have 3.73 gears with my 2013 Eco Max Tow (#7700 GVWR). Sure, it has a way over inflated "tow rating" of some #11,000... yeah, right...

Does that mean I can just go out and get an #11,000 TT and call it good? Not for me..

I just bought a new 2019 Rockwood 2511S TT that has a GVWR of #7000 that's 25' long and that's about all I want to tow with my truck... But, that's just me.. Other's tow a lot more and do fine and that's great for them..

Just changing the gear ratio does not change the GVWR or the suspension of the truck, so who knows??

When I had my 97 F150 with the 5.4, and the E4OD 4 speed trans with 3.55 gears towing a little #5000 TT, it was in second gear on any grade.. Heck, even empty, going up some grades, it could not hold 3rd gear!

I don't think 3.73's would have changed that... Like GLC said, 4.10's probably would have worked to get me into the next higher gear, but you'll still be pulling a lot of rpms to get into the 5.4's power band, which is over some 3,500-4,500 rpms... Can you deal with revving your engine that high?

What size tires do you have? That will make a difference too. 31" stock size, or even just a small upsize to 33" will make a difference on the final gear ratio..

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Lots of great info!! thanks, I have 18'' tires to answer your earlier question. So my max towing is 8600lbs and i plan on getting a bumper pull at dry gross @ 6000 lbs, so with my 5.4 and the 4 speed trans should the 3.73 be enough not to strain and get to 4th gear without revving too high?

 

Going from 3.55 to 3.73 is NOT worth it but 3.55 to 4.10 is worth it.

Note that when towing heavy, you should not use overdrive, regardless of gear ratio.