I have the 4.2L V6 5 spd. I have hated this truck when I pull my boats. It lacks power and I might as well just have a 4 speed. I just added an exhaust system which "should" help (better after all the damn money I just spent). I am being told that the next best thing to do is change to a 4.10 ratio. ANYONE have any success or failure at this?
Thanks!

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F150 V6 wishing it was a V8.

 

HI!... HtownDAN : I would suggest to you to try a SUPERCHIP 1ST before you spend a lot more money to install 4.10 gears. It most likely will help in your boat towing a lot. I have also gone from 3.55 to 4.10 gears in my F-150. I can not quote you prices because I have a 9.75 STERLING rear end in my truck compared to a 8.8 rear in your truck. 4.10 gears should be pretty cheap for you to swap to because it's the same rear end used in the MUSTANGS basicly. Make sure you can get the proper speedo gear to fix your speed also. I hope this helps you out.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK"
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

4:XX gears are always on my wish list for every vehicle that I own. It's usually what makes me love the vehicle. My opinion only, and I love quickness.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

Dan,

The 4.10's were the single best performance mod I've done to my truck. It definately made the biggest perceived power increase. The chip is o.k. but didn't make nearly the difference. Plus you'll need to start running premium fuel with the chip. The gears will probably cost at least twice as much as the chip but you won't regret it. If I could only do one of the things I've done so far, I would choose the gears.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, 80w amber fog lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats, Rancho RSX shocks, B&M deep aluminum trans pan. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

98fword,
thanks for all the excellent info over the months regarding gear swaps. I wanted to ask you what kind of change in gas mileage I can expect going from a 3.55 to 3.73 or 4.10? I'm interested in the swap, but like to know what I'm getting into.

Thanks

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'00 5.4L 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'01 F-350 PSD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)

[This message has been edited by gah (edited 01-20-2001).]

 

Howdy, gah!

On the highway I lost about a mile per gallon at 70 mph. Not bad. And with a blower too! I lost more when I installed the 285/75-16 MT/R's. Strange. I would have thought it to be the other way around.

BTW. Are you on the big island? When I was a kid back in the 60's the old man was stationed at Ft. Shafter on Oahu. We lived there for a little over three years. It was pretty cool from what I remember. I imagine a lot has changed since then.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, 80w amber fog lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats, Rancho RSX shocks, B&M deep aluminum trans pan. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

How did the gears affect your RPM's at city speeds and highway . . . say 35 mph and 60 mph? How much of a differnce was there between the 3.55 and the 4.10?

I was considering a chip but then thought about the gears . . . seems like a very noticeable gain from what I've read.

97 F-150 4x4 EC 4.6L Auto 3.55LS

 

98fword,
I'm on Oahu about 6 miles from Fort Shafter. You wouldn't recognize the place now if you were here in the 60's.

1mpg loss going from 3.55 to 4.10 is very reasonable. I can probably assume a 0.5mpg loss going from 3.55 to 3.73. Thanks.

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'00 5.4L 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'01 F-350 PSD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)

 

Cougar Guy,

One of the things that really bothered me when I had the 3.55's was having to turn the overdrive off every time I got into town. It would shift into overdrive at 35mph under light loads. Of course, as soon as you give it a little throttle it would shift out. Back and forth. That's not real good on the tranny. Plus, being geared so tall, it would hardly get out of it's own way when you step on the gas. With the 4.10's I leave it in OD all the time. And when I step on the gas, it leaves immediately! In OD there is less than a 300rpm difference. Major perceived power difference though. Keep in mind I had the ORP tires, 265/70-17 or 31.6" tall. If your tires aren't as tall it will make more of a difference.



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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, 80w amber fog lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats, Rancho RSX shocks, B&M deep aluminum trans pan. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

If your thinking of changing 3.55 to 3.73 your just gonna be pi$$ed you spent money on nothing, you'll feel a little but nothing in the towing dept. A chip wont rally do a lot, but 4.10's will, you will definately notice an increase. Whats a mile per gallon when it comes to using your truck for what you want? I would personally say screw 1.5 MPG and get 4.30's if I were doing a lot of towing but thats me. Gotta sacrifice something.

BTW I was stationed at Camp Smith until Sept. 2000

[This message has been edited by JUPITER (edited 01-30-2001).]

 

Sorry just noticed you have a 5spd, shouldnt have to worry about MPG hardly at all unless you spend either a lot of time in 1st or over say 90MPH, just shift.

 

thanks jupiter. i have ordered the 4.10s. i figured the 3.73 wouldn't do anything. and as far as gas goes, it's only money?!

 

98fword, Would it help my gas mileage if I shut off the OD in the city? I never got a manual with my truck so I know Jack about this? Most of my driving is city. Thanks for your help, Dennis.


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'98 White Lariat

WustaMass, Where we pahk ar cahs!

 

fourhour,

The rule of thumb is, if your tranny is searching or shifting between drive and overdrive frequently, turn the overdrive off. Whether your in town or towing or whatever. Mainly to save wear tear on your transmission. You may actually lose a little mpg's with the OD off, even in town. At least the truck will go when you give it throttle.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, 80w amber fog lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats (JUNK WHEELS), Rancho RSX shocks, B&M deep aluminum trans pan, Rhino bedliner. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

98fword...I to would like to change my 2001 Supercrew 4x4 over to some 4:10 gearing from the 3:55

I to have the 17" tires from the factory....only problem is that nobody can really tell me what the cost is going to be.....do you have any idea on the install cost for the 4:10 gears from the 3:55 ?

4:10's would be really cool!