I have a 4.6 in my supercrew, and am trying to find out how to get some more towing power. I am running 35" tires. I have heard people say:

New gears
power chip
exhaust

Gears are expensive, and am not sure if the chip/programmer and exhaust will make a difference worth the investment.

Anybody have any first hand experience here?

 

I don't know what year your Crew is but mine is an 05. I towed my pa inlaws truck with it. Take off was a little slow but once up to speed it was fine. I would get a Tuner for it. That will add 10-20 HP and Torque easy. Those are real numbers despite what the Tuner advertise.
IF you are towing all the time and have 3.55 gears with the 35's then yes I would highly reccomend 4.11s
Exhaust will help pick up a few ponies if done right.

Welcome to the board.

 

Sorry, I guess it does make a difference. It is an '03. I'll check into both with the local shops.

Thanks!!

 

my friend has an 03 ext. cab, but with the 5.4...its a 2x4 and he tows his 26' pursuit w/a cabin...basically all he has is a tow chip thing, and 4:10's....so i think with programmer, and gears you will be fine, and gears tend to be cheaper than a programmer IMO at times...

 

you need gears,I use .12 x tire size and it works well
31"tires x .12= 3.72 so you would use 3.73 ratio gears
35"tires x .12= 4.20 so you would use 4:10 or 4:11 ratio gears
its not all that expensive for after market gears,is your truck 2 or 4 wheel drive?I do not care what anybody says the best way to regain your power is gears.

 

Do what?

 

Thanks for the replies. It is a 2003 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with a 4.6ltr engine. The only mods so far are a K&N Filter, and a throttle body spacer.

Is it hard to do the gears yourself?

 

are you mech. inclined greg?

 

instead of spending a lot of money I would change just the back gears and try it out,DO NOT USE 4X4,and if you like then change the front gears.

 

Its not hard if you have a dial indicator and have done them a few times. The first time I would have someone who knows how to set up gears help you. Anyone can throw a set of gears in. It takes knowlege and paitence to set them up right so they last and dont't whine.
Gears are cheaper than a programmer. If you are installing them yourself. Gears = 350ish for a decent set. Programmers are goin for what 400-500?