I was thinking about changing my grear end gear from the 3.55 to 4/10 ratio.
i have 3" larger tires, and from what i have read on these boards, if you are gonna go to the effort to change, skip over 3.73 and up to 4.10.
It is a LS that i wish to retain. not very wise in the ways of the rear end - can i just have the gears themselves swapped with something like this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33731 - or do i need to replace more?

Thanks!

 

5.4s use a 9.75" rear end and the others use a 8.8". You can reuse your LS just fine. You need something like what's pictured; a gearset and an installation kit. Other kits include bearings, but unless they damage yours, 2003 bearings should be in good condition.

 

perfect, thanks. mine is a 4.6L. haven't stuck my head under there yet, but assuming it is a 8.9 rear-end.

does that price seem about right? would a "shop" be more, less or about the same price. not about to try this swap myself.

 

You're Welcome ! Yes...8.8". The gears are less expensive for the 8.8". That's a good price for the Ford gears. They are easier to set up and have a better chance of being quiet. The shop will charge you an installation fee and also be able to get the parts to do the job. Shops get a discount on parts, but usually raise your price to make their profit. I don't know what price your shop will charge if they order the gears or if they normally install the Ford brand. Shop your installers first to find out.

 

Let me know how your gear change goes I recently went to the 6" ProComp Suspension lift with 285/75/16's on 16x8" wheels and have definately noticed a loss in power, I just bought a Hypertech Power Programmer III and adjusted the shift firmness as well as adjusted for the larger wheels and tires...made a huge difference but I am also told re-gearing the rear end is the way to go, one of the guys at my 4 Wheel Parts is running 3.9 or 3.91 can't remember which and says he is happy with it... I don't know about you but I have heard everything from stock up to 4.56 I guess I just don't know enough to figure out which one I need but am curious to see how yours works let me know 4WP's is quoting me about $700 for gears and install. I am also running the 4.6L V8

btw: your truck still looks great...love that valance...still can't find one either.

 

$700, ouch, maybe i should learn to do it myself, or wait until they have a 1/2 off labor sale again. guess i'll shop around some other shops too. not in a real hurry to get it done.

it took me a few weeks of hunting to find the valance at the price i wanted. you can always get them off the PIAA website if you want, or other online vendors - http://www.autostyles.com/piaaairdams.htm

 

$700 seems very expensive, I would check around. You can get the gears just about anywhere, I too would go with the FRPP Gears which are for sale at places like Summit, Stangnet.com's - partshopper.com also has them pretty cheap. I would even check with your local Ford Dealers and see how much they would charge, if you find one that does alot of work on mustangs like an SVT Dealer chances are you'll find some decent Labor rates there as the Techs are very familiar with swapping the gears out as that's one of the #1 Mod's done to Stangs these days.

Good Luck,

-Adam

 

Thanks, hadn't started shopping around yet, was just doing my homework on it. planned on asking the dealer next time i was in. also, got a couple buddies in the SVT/Cobra clubs around, see what they know about prices and check the Mustang shop down the road.

 

Shop around for sure. I have quotes from all over Southern Cali for a gear/LS install, and they're all right around $350.

 

i just saw that 4wheel parts is having 50% off labor on Aug 14th. just show up.