Lost and Confused
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Combat Trucker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 389
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From: Chester MD and Goldsboro NC
Lost and Confused
When it comes to changing the gears in my 05 4x4, im totally lost. I have no idea about any of this so hopefully you do. I want gears that will make it faster, but not do bad off road, and not hurt my gas milage. I dont even know what the stock gears are. What gears should i put in the rear and what should i put in the front? Or could i just change the rear and leave the front alone?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 601
Likes: 34
From: Upstate New York
First and foremost, The front and rear gear ratios MUST BE THE SAME, or you will blow something up when you put it in 4wd. Most likely a transfer case.
Second, to find what gear you have you can...
1. look on your window sticker, and if you don't have that, you can
2. look at the metal tag located on on of the bolts holding your rear differential cover on. It will say 3 55, or 3 73, or 3 L 73 or 3 L 55. (these are the common ones) The "L" between the numbers signifies a limited slip differential, and the numbers obviously are you gear ratio. The front will be the same.
Third, What do you mean by "faster"? If you mean top end, you'll want 3:55's or 3:31's. If you mean faster 0-60, (acceleration) you'll want 3:73's or 4:10's. The lower the number, the higher the gear.
Are you towing? I have 3:55's in my truck, with a 5.4 engine, and can tow 8400#. The same truck with 3:73's can tow 9400#.
As far as fuel economy, around town, 3:55 and 3:73 will be close. At highway speeds, the higher ratios, (lower #'s) will be better, (provided you're not towing).
Basically, We could all give you a better answer if we knew more about your truck (cab and bed style, engine, etc), and what you primarily use it for. Everybody has different needs and wants.
Second, to find what gear you have you can...
1. look on your window sticker, and if you don't have that, you can
2. look at the metal tag located on on of the bolts holding your rear differential cover on. It will say 3 55, or 3 73, or 3 L 73 or 3 L 55. (these are the common ones) The "L" between the numbers signifies a limited slip differential, and the numbers obviously are you gear ratio. The front will be the same.
Third, What do you mean by "faster"? If you mean top end, you'll want 3:55's or 3:31's. If you mean faster 0-60, (acceleration) you'll want 3:73's or 4:10's. The lower the number, the higher the gear.
Are you towing? I have 3:55's in my truck, with a 5.4 engine, and can tow 8400#. The same truck with 3:73's can tow 9400#.
As far as fuel economy, around town, 3:55 and 3:73 will be close. At highway speeds, the higher ratios, (lower #'s) will be better, (provided you're not towing).
Basically, We could all give you a better answer if we knew more about your truck (cab and bed style, engine, etc), and what you primarily use it for. Everybody has different needs and wants.
Notorious Thread Editor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 22
From: Sin City
Also keep in mind that if you go to a gear ratio like. 4:56 4:88 or whatever and do not
Really need it you will actually make your truck slower. The computer factors in load
When adapting to your driving. Essentially the truck does not have to work as hard and
Thus gives you less.
Really need it you will actually make your truck slower. The computer factors in load
When adapting to your driving. Essentially the truck does not have to work as hard and
Thus gives you less.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 601
Likes: 34
From: Upstate New York
Yeah, that's a good point that I overlooked.
If this is a daily driver that you're looking to get more acceleration out of, you'll probably do better for your dollars to increasse horsepower instead. Gear swaps aren't cheap.
If this is a daily driver that you're looking to get more acceleration out of, you'll probably do better for your dollars to increasse horsepower instead. Gear swaps aren't cheap.
Thread Starter
Combat Trucker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Chester MD and Goldsboro NC
its an 05 f150 4x4 extended cab. 6.5' bed. 5.4L auto trans. im looking to get a better 1/4 mile time but i also drive from MD to NC a lot so i dont wanna hurt my gas milage too bad. this is kind of an all around truck, but mostly a daily driver. i do a lot of hunting and fishing so i drive off road quite a bit but when im not doing that, i have it at the track. i'll have to look at what i have in it now when i get home. im on the other side of the world right now!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 601
Likes: 34
From: Upstate New York
You're probably gonna get the best results with 3:73's. That's a good all-around gear, and probably the most popular. The 0-60 will be a little better than the 3:55's. (not too much, just a little)
The 3:55's will be best if you do alot of highway. That's what I have. I'm happy with the acceleration, even when towing. I've towed right up to the 8400# rating, and it handles it well. Though I don't typically off-road, there have been times I've had to go into some sticky situations. Again, the 3:55's did fine. If I need a lower gear than that, I have 4wd LOW.
Truth is, there isn't a HUGE difference between the two. 4:10's are another story. Lot's of power, noticeably less fuel economy, and you will be at a higher RPM at highway speeds.
Unless you're gonna do a lift kit and/or put much larger tires on it, if you have 3:55's or 3:73's, go with horsepower mods, tuners, exhaust, intake. To change gears in a 4x4 with IFS is gonna run at least a couple grand. The difference won't be worth it. For a couple grand more, you could put a Roush Charger on it!!!
The 3:55's will be best if you do alot of highway. That's what I have. I'm happy with the acceleration, even when towing. I've towed right up to the 8400# rating, and it handles it well. Though I don't typically off-road, there have been times I've had to go into some sticky situations. Again, the 3:55's did fine. If I need a lower gear than that, I have 4wd LOW.
Truth is, there isn't a HUGE difference between the two. 4:10's are another story. Lot's of power, noticeably less fuel economy, and you will be at a higher RPM at highway speeds.
Unless you're gonna do a lift kit and/or put much larger tires on it, if you have 3:55's or 3:73's, go with horsepower mods, tuners, exhaust, intake. To change gears in a 4x4 with IFS is gonna run at least a couple grand. The difference won't be worth it. For a couple grand more, you could put a Roush Charger on it!!!
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sin City
You're probably gonna get the best results with 3:73's. That's a good all-around gear, and probably the most popular. The 0-60 will be a little better than the 3:55's. (not too much, just a little)
The 3:55's will be best if you do alot of highway. That's what I have. I'm happy with the acceleration, even when towing. I've towed right up to the 8400# rating, and it handles it well. Though I don't typically off-road, there have been times I've had to go into some sticky situations. Again, the 3:55's did fine. If I need a lower gear than that, I have 4wd LOW.
Truth is, there isn't a HUGE difference between the two. 4:10's are another story. Lot's of power, noticeably less fuel economy, and you will be at a higher RPM at highway speeds.
Unless you're gonna do a lift kit and/or put much larger tires on it, if you have 3:55's or 3:73's, go with horsepower mods, tuners, exhaust, intake. To change gears in a 4x4 with IFS is gonna run at least a couple grand. The difference won't be worth it. For a couple grand more, you could put a Roush Charger on it!!!
The 3:55's will be best if you do alot of highway. That's what I have. I'm happy with the acceleration, even when towing. I've towed right up to the 8400# rating, and it handles it well. Though I don't typically off-road, there have been times I've had to go into some sticky situations. Again, the 3:55's did fine. If I need a lower gear than that, I have 4wd LOW.
Truth is, there isn't a HUGE difference between the two. 4:10's are another story. Lot's of power, noticeably less fuel economy, and you will be at a higher RPM at highway speeds.
Unless you're gonna do a lift kit and/or put much larger tires on it, if you have 3:55's or 3:73's, go with horsepower mods, tuners, exhaust, intake. To change gears in a 4x4 with IFS is gonna run at least a couple grand. The difference won't be worth it. For a couple grand more, you could put a Roush Charger on it!!!
said
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,279
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From: Lockport, Louisiana
its an 05 f150 4x4 extended cab. 6.5' bed. 5.4L auto trans. im looking to get a better 1/4 mile time but i also drive from MD to NC a lot so i dont wanna hurt my gas milage too bad. this is kind of an all around truck, but mostly a daily driver. i do a lot of hunting and fishing so i drive off road quite a bit but when im not doing that, i have it at the track. i'll have to look at what i have in it now when i get home. im on the other side of the world right now!
