Ford has just decided to buy back my truck due to a persistent pinging problem
that they cannot solve. They're buying it back from me with NO deduction for mileage
and they told me to go ahead an pick out a new truck.
My choice is a 99 4.6 S/C auto 3.08 gears XL (no tach)
I've noticed that most 4.6's on this board have 3.55 gears.
Can anyone with the 3.08's tell me what RPM's you're turning at various speeds.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Is Ford picking your truck or you?? Just my 02: I would try to get a truck with a tach!!! And 3.55 gears w/LS. And shoot, why not go for that XLT model?? Pay the difference if you have to

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars




[This message has been edited by Tina (edited 07-12-1999).]

 

Dear Gears,

I agree *completely* with Tina, it's *your* choice what equipment you buy, and I for one would not hesitate to pay the difference between what they bought back from you, and what you *really* want to drive. It's a rather small difference in monthly payment, and a BIG diffrence to your enjoyment factor. After all, you're going to have the vehicle for awhile, buy what you *want*! I too, have gone thru this process with Ford. They bought back a big custom van, and I took a new Lincoln Mark 8 home with me when they bought the van back. So you can have anything you want, just please make sure it's exactly what you want, ok?

Best of luck to you,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

 

I'm curious how you talked, whoever you talked to, into buying your truck back. I've had numerous problems with my 5 speed and I can't get the dealer to do anymore than just put "bandaids" on it. At this point I'd be happy with a new tranny. How did you do it?

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'98 f150 STX 4.2l, 3.55, Busted @ss 5- speed, custom dual exhaust, K&N mods, clears, shackles, snuglid, Pioneer head, TS-A6813's, MTX 12" 3000's, Kenwood KAC-848...


[This message has been edited by slickstx (edited 07-12-1999).]

 

I asked for an XL because I DO NOT want power accesories.
This truck is also doubles as a work truck so the rubber floors
are better suited to the job than carpet.
I am having difficulty finding a truck with 3.55 gears in this area
in a 2WD truck.

 

The 3.08 will give you a little better mileage - a little less acceleration. The limited slip would be a plus if you drive in mud, snow or wet - it helps both rear tires push the truck instead of the right rear spinning and the left rear sitting.
Good luck with your new truck
Glad to see a dealer standing behind what he sells!

------------------
1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
* * * Non-Leaking Sliding Window * * *
http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

They can use their computer to find you ANY truck, for something as simple as an XL 2WD w/3.55s, it should be no problem. Sounds like they want to stick you with one off the lot that they couldn't sell.

In answer to your question, with 3.08 gears and 255/70-16 tires, your rpm at 60 would be
about 2070 in third and 1300 in OD. More to the point, first gear would be good to about 58 mph at redline. In other words, very little acceleration capability, and probably too tall to tow effectively. Hold out for the 3.55s, you'll probably get the same or better fuel mileage as well

 

Sorry Gears, I have the 3.55, auto, 4.6 ;
At 65 I'm running 1500-1700 RPMS

------------------
99 XLT SC, 4.6 L,MacNeil Window Deflectors, Ford-Duraliner Bedliner, K&N Filter, Westin Nerfs.
Family Hauler

 

slickstx: Try telling your dealership that there is a TSB on the 97-98 5-speeds and make them put another in it. They supposedly re-designed the case for '99.

------------------
'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

Gears,
See my signature. If I had it to do over again I would, with out question, opt for the 5.4 engine and 3.73 gears. In my opinion my truck is a slug. I'm not interested in making the most WOT horsepower on my block. The majority of my driving is spent in the 1500 to 2500 rpm range. I would like for it to make adequate power there. It dosen't. I would be satisfied if I were able to cruise down the highway 60 to 70 mph with out it kicking out of overdrive at the mere threat of an incline in the road. You didn't mention whether you were thinking of purchasing a two or four wheel drive truck. My point being, tire size should be taken into consideration when choosing a gear ratio. Other things to consider are where most of your driving time will be spent, in town or on the highway. Will you be towing a heavy trailer, boat, etc.? Take the time to choose carefully and you'll be much happier. Don't let the salesman talk you into settling for anything less than exactly what you want!

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto. Superchip, Gibson sing. cat-back, K&N air filt. 80/100w German head lamps. Needs one more door and a lot more power. I think I need to talk to Mr. Whipple.

 

Frank S, what TSB are you refering to. The NHTSA site doesn't list any TSB's or recalls for the manual tranny. I wish could get it replaced considering my Warranty will be up in 2000 miles.

------------------
'98 f150 STX 4.2l, 3.55, Busted @ss 5-speed, custom dual exhaust, K&N mods, clears, shackles, snuglid, Pioneer head, TS-A6813's, MTX 12" 3000's, Kenwood KAC-848...




[This message has been edited by slickstx (edited 07-13-1999).]

 

Try this:

Service Bulletin Number: 971110972313
Date of Bulletin: 9711
NHTSA Item Number: SB053669
Make: Ford Truck
Model: F150
Year: 1997
Component: Power Train:Transmission:Standard:Manual
Summary: A new design transmission case and extension housing has been released.

Your dealership should not have a memory lapse anymore after seeing this. This also applies to '98s. Hope this helps.

------------------
'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

Gears:

Please gives us the specs on the "old" truck that Ford took back. The problem was just pinging or more.....

Thanks


------------------
1999 XLT F150 SC 4 X4 4.6 V8 Automatic, Electronic 4wheel drive 3.55 LS Tow pack
Style-side, Amazon Green, Skid plates, Engine heater, Westin nerff bars, ARE lid.
Other pending: Prime Design Bugshield, Super Chip, Air Aid

 

The truck that Ford just took back from me was a 98 4.2 auto S/C
It developed a light ping at about 12000 km and had gotten worse over
time, now at 43000 km. At first running 89 oct. fuel would stop the ping,
but at this point under load it would ping with 91 octane!
Throughout this, dealer has maintained that the computer showed no trouble codes.
A few months ago I started my campaign to get my vehicle fixed, and three times a week
I would call the dealer, Ford customer service center and its supervisor and many other
people whose positions I don't recall, but basically anyone that would listen.
A great deal of patience and politness/restraint was needed but in the end, Ford admitted
that there was no fix and that they would just put me in a 99.

 

The truck that Ford just took back from me was a 98 4.2 auto S/C
It developed a light ping at about 12000 km and had gotten worse over
time, now at 43000 km. At first running 89 oct. fuel would stop the ping,
but at this point under load it would ping with 91 octane!
Throughout this, dealer has maintained that the computer showed no trouble codes.
A few months ago I started my campaign to get my vehicle fixed, and three times a week
I would call the dealer, Ford customer service center and its supervisor and many other
people whose positions I don't recall, but basically anyone that would listen.
A great deal of patience and politness/restraint was needed but in the end, Ford admitted
that there was no fix and that they would just put me in a 99.