Ok. Here is my problem. Got the 4.6L in the big and heavy 150 4x4 with 33" tires. Need less to say not a whole lot of low end grunt. So I want to install a lower gear ratio. Was looking at 3.73 since I only have 33" tires and will never go any larger. Any opinions on that? Also should I look for OEM replacement gears or is there an aftermarket company that has proven results? Lastly what price range am I looking at to do this, and will this slove my NO GET UP problem or should I just sling a few Viagra in the gas tank? Thanks for any help

 

I'd go 4.10's but maybe thats just me.
Alan

 

I'm thinking 4.10's too. Are you SURE you don't want to go bigger? I said that, and that was 3 lifts ago and 3 tire sizes ago! I had my gears redone to 4.56's because I'm running 37" tires. That cost about $550. I went with Superior Gears. I honestly don't know which gears are better than the others.

 

Depends on what you have in there now. You could have as high as 3.08's now, so going to a 3.73 will be noticed... If you have 3.55's now, you probably won't notice much difference.....

I've got 3.55's and went to a 31" tire over the stock 29" ones. I noticed a tad bit of difference right off the bat, but once I recalibrated the speedo (new VSS gear) it at least shifted like it used to. I also have the 5.4, so I've got a tad bit more low end to start with. If I wanted to get back to the original gearing my truck had with the 29" tall tires, I would have to go to the 3.73 gears..... I would not do that, as it really won't make much of a diff IMO..... I'd go with 4.10 for my truck if I were to actually do it...... I even tow a #4500 travel trailer and I find the 3.55's and 31" tall tires a good combo..... If I had more trailer weight, I'd probably think otherwise, but I don't, so it's moot anyway!

Good luck,

Mitch

 

My performance street tires (285/60R18) are effectively 31.5 inch tires and I run 4.10s.

Great mod, should have done it sooner. Way better acceleration, much less downshifting on the highway even when passing or going up hills.

 

How much are gears on a 4x4? (front / rear) I can get OEM ones at 10% over cost if that'd be cheaper than aftermarket. Think I'd want 4:10's. Anyone know how much labor would be at a Ford shop?

Nevermind, I called and they said on an 8.8" front / rear the whole front housing has to be pulled so that's 6.5 Hr. there, and 4 more on the rear. At $80 / Hr. that's $850. *OUCH*

 

Jackal, I'd call a rear-end shop not a dealer.

You may get a better price.

I used a place called DiffWorks here in SoCal.Great service, IMHO. Good guys over there.

Two weeks after they installed my stuff, I saw them on the TV show Overhaulin' I though that was pretty cool.

 

Sweet...will do. I assume they have to pull the whole front axle right?

 

i havent done gears but i have a 3.55 with 33's i wish i had 4.10 but the 3.55 are good enuf for me. as far as where to go. if you have any tracks near buy like dirt track or paved track find out where the guys go. if you can find a speed shop that does work it will be ALOT cheaper and ALOT faster!

 

Hey Jackal. Do you have a lift on your truck?

 

Newp, just the torsion bar lift.

 

Jackal,
Agreed with Jordan not Mike..skip the dealer unless you are under some warranty and don't want to take a chance.
Called two Ford Dealerships, one was $950, the other was ~$1100. Found a local diff shop who doesn't run radio/TV ads...$700 for both diffs. That's the best I could find up here anyway.
For gears, one option you might consider...check e-bay. I was able to get a brand new reverse rotation 3.73 Genuine Ford set for $16 (no kiddin!!)
Trick here is that they are more common, I never saw a set of rev rot 4.10s for sale.
Anyway, check it out..it can be a bit risky, but I didn't bid unless the picture was clear and I could see the wear pattern.
Paid $75 for my rear gears and $16 for the front...bought a traction-lok for $50..gotta watch and wait. There's tons of 'em so don't buy it if it don't look right.

Good luck!
RockOFFROAD