I have a 95 F-150 4X4 302, auto trans, with a 3:31 gear ratio. Can I put in a 4:10 to help pulling? I will be towing a camper that weighs about 6500 lbs. I considered the 3:55 but it probably wouldn't help much.

 

Yes you can install 4:11's. That is exactly what I would do. MORE POWER!!!

 

Thanks for the info. I just read where the 3:73 would be optimal for my truck. I am running P265/75R15 Goodyear tires, which is suggested on the factory sticker. I'm still confused as to which gear size is best. Thanks

 

If you install 4:10's the engine would turn about 4 times. You have 265's now, so you actually wouldn't be at 4:10's. It would lower it to about 3.75 or somewhere. The larger tire, lowers the gear ratio,-the smaller the tire, the higher the ratio gets. I would advise 4:10's too. You will notice a reduction in gas mileage, but the engine wouldn't struggle as much.

 

I would definetly go w/ the 4:10's. As for worse fuel milage, I'm not sure. I have seen cases where the lower gear keps the engine in the RPM curve at optimum power thus not lugging the motor = better fuel milage.

 

I have a 96' 5 speed 4x2 with the 302. On Tuesday I am having 3.73's and a Traction- Lok put in for the same reason (towing). The 302's optimal torque is around 3000 rpm's and I have 30"tires. So I figure this would be the best setup for me. As for you with the P265's and auto-overdrive 4.10's would be just about right in my opinion.

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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

 

Thanks for the input. Let me know how the gears work out on Tuesday. Where would I find the 4:10 gears when I am ready for the upgrade?

 

You should be able to find them without any trouble. Summit has a good selection, although I have never dealt with them. Ford Motorsports makes good products also. I went through a local 4x4 shop. With your 4x4 you will have to swap the innards in both diffs. Shop around for an installer and parts. The R&P usually runs around $200 for a set (one diff). The guy installing them in my 4x2 is charging $160. And the installation kit runs around $100 (shims, bearings, etc.). All together this is around $500 when you add gear lube, friction modifier, etc. Double it for your 4x4. I am also getting a traction-lok installed. That ran around $265.
Make sure you get a GOOD installer!! If possible talk to former customers. R&P work is highly specialized.
I can't wait to get it done. The 3.08's in my truck now don't cut it. I never used overdrive in my truck with the 3.08's. So I figures it up that the 3.73's will give me near a 3.00:1 in overdrive. This gives me plenty of pulling in the lower gears, and still have the ability to do 80 on the interstate without leaving my powerband. But considering your larger tires and the taller overdrive in the automatic, GO FOR THE 4.10's!! I'll let you know how it goes.
-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

 

Picked up my truck on Wednesday evening from the shop. Have mercy. I didn't have any idea a Ring an Pinion swap would make this much difference. No noise, and truck seems smoother than before. My RPM's are just slightly higher at cruise went from 1500 at 60 to 2000). But the power difference is unbelievable. It just feels like it has much more torque and somebody finally took that parking brake off. Have to really watch it to keep from speeding. Hills?? What hills?? Have to wait 200 miles before really getting on it....i'm trying to restrain myself. 500 miles before I can tow my trailer. Wish I had done this the second day I owned it. I'm sure it's much better for the engine. I'm checking fuel mileage now. I'll post the difference. I'm actually thinking it may improve.

-Hank

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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

 

Hank: glad to see your happier. So do you still think the 302's weak?

 

No Pastmaster, I don't!! I now realize that it wasn't the 302, but the "fuel economy" gears that Ford used on my truck. The 302 and 3.73's are nice. The acceleration is awesome. At 60mph in overdrive I can just ease the throttle down and it takes off. Before I had to use third for that kind of get-up.
I made a big mistake when I bought the truck. The dealer had two identical trucks. EXCEPT one had 3.08's and one had 3.55's. I test drove the latter and intended on buying it in two days (some guy ordered it and never picked it up). Came back it was gone (decided he wanted it 2 months later). Well, this was June of '96 and I wanted an old style (stopped production 4/96). So I bought the one with 3.08's... I figured it couldn't make that much of a difference....Boy was I wrong....Well, the bright side is that I got to install 3.73's I guess....My truck is happy...Hank likes!!
-Hank


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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