MT-Ford

Like the title asks, I have been thinking about trading in my 2010 FX4 for a 2012 or a 2013 with a 5.0L and it seems like every truck I search out has the 3:55 gear ratio. In 2010, I'm sure that I remember that the FX4 was standard with the 3:73 gear ratio.

I should have jumped sooner, I am having an impossible time finding a 2012 leftover that is spec'd out the way I want it.

F150/4me

I think 3:55 had been the most common since 09 , this is just my guess from looking at trucks on the lot. I travel a lot and stop at many dealerships becaus I'm a car nut and that is one thing I have noticed. What does your 10 have?

MT-Ford

Mine has the 3:73 locker which in 2010 when I was looking for an FX4 that was all I ever saw on them. That was one of the selling points for me.

beach_boardz

Mines a 2012 and all the fx4S i saw on the lot had the locker and 3:73 rear end maybe its what the dealership ordered

MT-Ford

I would sure like to get a 2012, but there are absolutely no FX4's in my area that are spec'd out the way I want it...and very few that are not the truck I want.

curtk69

mine says on the tag;
V908N
559756A03
how do you tell what gear you have? and wether its limited slip or not?

MT-Ford

Try adding your VIN number to the end of this link and it should pull up your window sticker and give you all your specs.

http://fordlabels.webview.biz/webvie...cker.aspx?vin=

curtk69

cant get this one to work but ive tried other ones and they dont give much info i dont already know.

Mike Up

Looks like the 2013 FX4 and XLT Off Road Package dropped the 3.73 Locking Axle for the 3.55 Locking Axle. Most likely to get higher average MPG figures across the F150 line due to the shrinking Ecoboost sales. That being from the reputation of the intercooler problems. Ecoboost troubles are posted all over Rv.net about the intercooler condensation problems and how it's a bad tow vehicle for campers.

If you haven't noticed, Ford in 2013 started offering the 6.2L on the XLT and FX4 opposed to 2012's 6.2L offerings starting only in the upper Lariat Line. I believe buyers demanding something other than a problem turbo V6 and Ford had to provide what the customers wanted. The downfall is that their average mpg figures are way down with the 6.2L. So to bring those MPG figures up, they really push the 3.55 gearing.

When we looked for a 2013 Screw 4WD 5.0L with 3.73, we couldn't even find any. Ford is really pushing the 3.55 axles in the 2013s. The bad, the 5.0L really needs that 3.73 axle due to it's lofty torque residing in the upper rpms and needed for towing over 7700 lbs.

Hek my 2008 4.6L 3V Sport Trac had a 3.55 axle (with smaller tires which makes it even better than F150) and had a 7000 lbs tow rating. 7700 lbs is pathetic for a full size, pickukp with a high performance engine. Smaller displacement motors already work harder and hotter with their higher compression ratios and smaller cooling jackets, so they need help so they're not working so hard, to bring their tow ratings up. The 3.73 is a must for the 5.0L. The 3.73 should be the STANDARD Axle, not the optional. If you want fuel efficiency at the expense of capability and performance, then the 3.55 should be an optional axle then.

Good luck in finding a 3.73 axle, I wouldn't settle for less.

BTW, my previous 2010 F150 Screw 4WD w/5.4L and 3.55 axle was a great match due to the higher torque output in the lower rpms, just like the Ecoboost.

I just bought my 2012 5.0L on Nov. 27, 2012 and there were 3 choices of trucks. The one I purchased was everything that I wanted except for the HD package. The HD package is not a popular dealer order for the 5.0L so there was only 1 with the HD package but it was stripped and didn't have the needed options and over 300 miles away.

The next was a Black w/ silver stripe minus the Trailer Brake Controller, Plus Package, Sirius Radio and the Keyless Entry Keypad. I really wanted the Trailer Brake Controller and Plus Package, and Keypad. Sirius maybe if they offer it to both my wife and I, for a total of $4/month. She already cancelled because $4/month just for her was a rip off with all the darn talk and DJ noise. For both of us, yes.

The next was a Dark Blue and Silver stripe. Dark blue is alright as I had it with the 2008 Sport Trac but the silver stripe makes it look like my grandpas and I'm not into that style. It did have everything I have on my Flame Blue truck with additions of the Off Road package (which would add skid plates and off road shocks), and LT tires. I liked the LT tires except they were load range C, I would want load range E. I wasn't sure how off road shocks would fair with a heavy travel trailer hitch weight. If they were any good for trailering, they'd been offered in the max tow package or standard tow package, which they weren't.

So I really lucked out with my Flame Blue 2012 in my signature. It's actually the exact truck I wanted in 2010 but couldn't find it so I did without the Plus package and Keypad. I had the Dealership add the Trailer Brake Controller .

Good luck in your hunt, I hope you get your options and your 3.73 locking axle.

MT-Ford

Thanks for that information Mike Up. I had a suspicion that the 3:55 was being pushed for fuel economy as the 3:73 was standard when I bought my 2010 FX4. With the 5.4L and 3.73's it will definitely push you back in the seat when you get on the throttle. I definitely will not settle for anything less than the 3:73 gear ratio. If I get the 5.0L, I want to feel the extra 50 HP which I don't think I would with the 3:55's.

If I do order a 2013, I think I would do an FX4 with the 6.2L.

I wish there was a truck manufacturer that stood out way above the rest as I keep hearing and reading more and more about warranty issues. Problems that owners are experiencing and Ford says that it is "within tolerance". I personally have had the dealer tell me that a problem is within tolerance specifications. I really think Ford is starting a downhill slide with their coverage of warranty issues.