RPFB,

Thanks for the good information. I too believe the 3.55 would be a much better gear for my application. Whether I can justify the money is another question. I seem to like to put that extra money into my Mustang.

You are correct, I have had the truck almost a year now and this past week is the first long trip I have taken without Mustang in tow. I have gone on the freeways for short distances but really never noticed that the converter was unlocking while going over overpasses. I guess I just haven't paid attention to this until I took this long trip. All of my highway trips have been towing my Mustang in 3rd gear, OD off. The truck works for me but it is very weak even in 3rd while pulling my Mustang. A 3.55 would probably be a lot better.

Going throught the numbers, at 75 mph with my 3.08 I am turning approximately 1900 rpm. With a 3.55 I would be turning 2190. Not really that much more and I am sure it would take care of my unlocking problem. And towing my Mustang at 65 mph I would be turning 2766 rpm. Still not very high.

Anybody got a 3.55 ring and pinion they want to sell?

 

OK, I'm only half way trying to be a smart-*** here.. but I test drove my truck before I bought it. I told the dealer I wouldn't buy it until I took it for a nice LONG test drive- they had no problem with that. I took it out on the highway, up to 85. Checked for any vibes, and I actually noted how the truck pulled in cruise and OD over the overpasses. Maybe you should do a little more driving in your next vehicle before you drop over 20 grand on it, it's a decision you gonna have to either live with or lose money on. That said, I agree with the posts here. Change the gears. You will be happy.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

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[This message has been edited by 2000 F150 4x4 (edited 05-28-2000).]

 

I would definately suggest a gear change. I have a regular cab 4X4 with the ORP. My truck is probably as heavy as an extended 4X2. I have the 3.55 gears and have never had to take it out of OD or cruise on steep hills.

Gearing is the problem with your truck. I would get the 3.73 gears, there the best for towing and torque.

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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau, Profile Windstream Side Deflectors and Lund X-Terminator Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html
<A HREF="https://www.alladvantage.com/joinsecure.asp?refid=LTM-954" TARGET=_blank>I made $450 surfing the web last month...you can too!
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It might be cheaper to throw in a SuperChip and run Premium Gas. Gear swapping can be a pain in the rear (snicker).

 

I've had a 98 XLT SC 4.6 auto w/3.08 non LS axle and my current 99 XLT SC auto w/3.55 LS axle. My 99 is much better at hauling loads up hills, ramps etc. and distributes power more evenly. The 98 was a good cruiser at 70 mph and got around 23mpg. I much prefer the 3.55 over the 3.08. I think you will too.

 

Dennis,

If I thought the chip would give me more low end torque that would be an option, although running premium fuel would be costly over a period of time. Most of the chips I have seen only give hp at the higher rpm, full throttle levels. And for $350 for a chip, I could almost pay for a gear that I know would work better for me. I just don't know what I would do about the speedometer error with a gear.

 

Here is what Y2K 7700 4x4 says about the chip:

 

cujet,

Sounds like you have a problem with your engine, I don't have to 'floor' it in order to get enough power.

What did you dyno before the headers and chip?

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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau, Profile Windstream Side Deflectors and Lund X-Terminator Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html
<A HREF="https://www.alladvantage.com/joinsecure.asp?refid=LTM-954" TARGET=_blank>I made $450 surfing the web last month...you can too!
</A>

 

Larry,

My truck had LT 245/75 R16 tires stock. It's a 4X4 though . . . I'm not too sure what the 4X2's have.

I also have the 3.55LS rear-end, that certainly explains part of the reason why I haven't had the same experience as you.

 

Larry,
In the driver's side door area, there should be a sticker with the specs for the OEM tires- size and inflation pressures.

Gears, for a 4x2, aren't that expensive: ~$500 installed.

In response to Y2K7700's chip concern, I have to say that last year I towed my 3000# boat all over NE OK during the summer with my chipped, 4.6L 4x4 Expedition that does NOT have the towing pkg. Engine or tranny temps were never too high and I never had any problems. Last fall I installed a tranny cooler and this winter I changed to synthetic lubes. Along with the new (4.10) gears, my mileage has increased by over 1mpg and towing is unbelievably improved.

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

nomo,

I checked the tag inside the door and it calls for P235/70R16SL tires. I don't know what the P or the SL means but that is what is on the tag.

 

Have you changed the fuel filter? The manual says to change it at 15,000 miles. When I did mine, it was like giving the truck a tune up.

 

Larry,

Just saw this in the classifieds on f150online:

AD Number: 6212 - Posted on: May 25, 2000 Expires on: Aug 26, 2000 Click on name to send E-mail * F-150 Online *
By: Franks&beans To visit our web site Click Here!
FOR SALE: 3.55 Gears from a 8.8 axle

These are OEM gears from Ford. The ring and pinion are in excellent condition. No chips or rust, hardly no wear on them. Removed by a professional gear shop and replaced with 4.10 gears. Asking $100.00 plus shipping (around $24.00) I will pay half of the shipping cost.
Darin



------------------

The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau, Profile Windstream Side Deflectors and Lund X-Terminator Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html
<A HREF="https://www.alladvantage.com/joinsecure.asp?refid=LTM-954" TARGET=_blank>I made $450 surfing the web last month...you can too!
</A>

 

i have the 3.55 with my 4.6l. did notice it unlocking and such on steep hills with the cruise control on. haven't had that happen lately since the superchip and the exhaust work. will test soon.

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97 f150 xlt named: "locked & lowered",sc,4.6,auto,tow,3.55ls,superchip,western nerf,mpc deflector,hellwig,k&n-w/home made filter bracket,belltech 2"/4" drop,flowmaster delta-flow 50, borla quad tips,tekstyle tonneu cover,rhino lining,s&w.

 

Geez, of all the things that I've posted, you had to quote one where I must admit I have zero experience -- hence the fear.

I've been reading the posts about the SuperChip -- and am interested in understanding it, so don't let any uninformed reservations by me sway you with the SuperChip.

As for the other observations relating to the gear ratio etc., I agree with the posts above -- and it sounds like the 3.08 is actually doing pretty darned good all-around at this point. Obviously, towing a house is out of the question, but for the short percentage of time apparently used for towing, things are pretty enviable -- especially the gas mileage!!

I'd like to drive that combination in 4Low once -- as I bet that ratio is pretty good at unloaded off-road pathfinding.

Thanks for the quotes, but pick up my engine, vibration, axle, or especially brake info to quote for the best value.



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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"