I just purchased a 1994 f-150 4x4 302 automatic/overdrive lifted with 33" tires. I can about never get it into overdrive due to gearing and power.
Does anyone out there have 33's and different gears? I'm thinking of 4.10 ratio.will that be low enough to get me back to the "stock" power feel?
How much difference do headers and duals make?
Thanks in advance. Darrell

 

I've got 35x12.50" mud terrain tires with a 4" supension lift.

My truck is a 1990 302 4x4.
It has:
4.10 gears with rear limited slip,
Crane Cams Compucam
Gibson shorty headers
Flowmaster "40 Series" muffler with dual tips
K&N FIPK

While my truck does bog down on the freeway some, let me tell you-- gears make a big difference!!!! Little-to-no power loss on the street and off-road, and even feels more torquey going up hills, believe it or not.

That was the only reason I decided to go with the 35's instead of the 33's-- or even 32's. Gearing, plus my mods. I'm also planning on getting a Superchip, high flow cats. and an MSD ignition system in the near future.

Let me warn you, though, gear changes are expensive-- and remember, since you have a 4x4, you would need to change the front, too. I would first purchase a superchip, high flow muffler, headers, and a K&N FIPK, and some high flow cats. If you're good, you can get all these mods. for around $1000-1200 installed-- cheaper if you're a wrench head, and it'll probably cost less than half the price of a gear swap. Besides sounding sweeter than hell, you're truck will breathe and perfom much better. If you're still not satisfied, then you should have got a truck with 4.10 gears or a bigger engine!!!

 

TF,
Thanks for the response. Where did you get your FIPK? Does your truck have the two air intakes coming off the Throttle body? what kind of gas mileage do you get? The more I look at my truck I'm thinking it needs 35's also. I plan on doing the header and exhaust route also. bang for the buck I think the gear swap is going to have the biggest impact right now. Thanks again,
Darrell

 

Darrell,

To answer your questions, I got my FIPK from Jeg's high performance mail order for only $167 including tax. Other places charge as much as $220 I think. Pretty simple to install. And yes, I do have the speed density fuel injection (the one with two air intake hoses). K&N makes a FIPK for both mass air and speed density fuel injection setups.

My 35's rub when I crank the wheel all the way, so I would think about getting some extended radius arms if you've got the cash since you said you're thinking about putting 35's on. And if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably put some Super Swamper 33x12.50"'s on there. The only problem is I need wider rims I think, mine are only 15x8's. I wish my tires stuck out a little more, which is why I'll have to get 15x10's when I get my next set of tires. As it is, my tires actually measure 34" tall x 11.5" wide. Super Swampers are the only tires that actually measure what they're supposed to. One inch shorter by one inch wider on wider rims would be perfect.

Oh, and I don't actually have my Superchip yet, but from what I've heard, it's the most cost effective performance mod. you can make so I would look into that as well. Good luck!!!

 

Trigger,

I would agree with trying the other mods first. I have a '95 4x4 302 with 3.31s, stock wheels and tires. Stock it was a dog in OD. The only way to get anything other than very mild acceleration was to get on it enough to unlock the converter or downshift.

Jacobs ignition, underdrive pulleys (Ford Racing) and modified airbox with a K&N made very good improvements. The only time the truck comes out of OD is on very long and steep hils, the ones that the semis top going 25mph.

Best thing was the ignition. All the power changes were in the low to mid range, right where we need it to pull a taller gear. The mileage increase will pay for the unit in right about 24,000 miles. After that point the fuel savings go back in my pocket!

The pulleys were only $100, and the intake mod cost the filer and about an hour of my life.


TF,

How much did those Gibson headers help? Any fit or install problems? My exhaust work is next in line and I'm trying to narrow my options.

 

signmaster,

To be honest with you, the headers and the flows were already on the truck when I bought it. I really wish I knew how much they helped. All I know is that the guy I bought it from installed the headers himself, and he is not a mechanic by trade. They're probably not the easiest thing to install, and I know you have to make sure you get some good gaskets or you'll have exhaust leaks up the a**. So I guess it all depends on how good with the tools you are. But I know they sound nice!!! I've had plenty of compliments on them, even by some tough critics, so they're probably not your worst choice. By the way, have you heard anything good or bad regarding Jacobs ignition vs. MSD ignition? I know you mentioned you had good luck with the Jacobs, why did you choose them over MSD? Thanks in advance!

 

TF,

Thanks for the exhaust scoop. As far as MSD vs Jacobs I know people with both and I'd say it's a draw. Of the people I know that have had both, they can't tell the difference, so their decisions are for minor reasons. Of course people who have owned one or the other usually claim the one they have is better!

I went with the Jacobs because their warranty/guarantee was a little stronger. They had a 30 day "no questions asked" return policy. They also had a longer guarantee in case a unit failed. They also have a unit that comes with the coil mounted over the "box" and saves some space, along with a quick connect setup that doesn't require any adapters or splicing of stock wires.

I've used MSD products before but just coils and never a "box". I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of their products, it was just small preferences in my case.