So I'm going with 35's (I'm pretty sure) but I was wondering who else has them with stock gears and a 5.4 auto. Is it sluggish? How bad is the gas milage?

 

Hell.... I got the 4.6 with 37's and my truck and stock gears and is still hecka quick.... with the 5.4 you should be fine.

 

Mileage will drop a little and be a little less low end. The main concern is more stress on the transmission, doesn't mean it will lead to failure right away but over time can take its toll. I hope you have a programmer to change the speedo too.

 

Nice. Thanks!

 

No programmer, but I'll look into it. I was thinking of using gps to see what the difference is, then I should be good, but I would like it done right.

As far as the tranny, I'm not a lead-foot so I'm not too worried about stressing it. But that is good to know so I can keep an eye on it. Thanks.

 

The best things the programmer can give you to help out your tranny is shift firmness and shift points, I have mine set to hold each gear a couple mph longer and it makes the truck feel geared way lower, I'm only turnin 33's with 3.73 rear end but I like the low end torque.

 

If you put 35s on you WILL feel a difference, and your truck will feel slower. If you are towing, I HIGHLY recommend gears. I would go with a lower gear like 4.56 if you are towing with larger tires. Even if you are 4 wheeling, gears are a must. No matter what people say, stock gears with large tires is horribly slow and a PITA for towing.

 

The only towing I do is my Jet-Ski. Maybe an occasional landscaping trailer with my quad or something. But my ranger does in easily so I think I'll be fine.

I'm looking at an SCT-X3 from VMP, but I'll hold off until I try it out.

 

You'll notice the difference for sure but being a automatic you can get away with it, But I would get a programmer to firm up the shifts. Then change the gears to something like 4.56's like 00stang said. Regardless of what people say it will turn it into a slug. I put 35's on a 94 f-150 with a 302 with a 5 speed and made it gutless. Seldom did I hit 5th and I used 3rd on any type of grade. If you have 3.55 gears the 35's will turn your ratio into the 2's. You'll have airplane gears for sure. The stock gears will put some stress on your tranny and a ford automatic is probally the weakest link to start with.

 

im running 8 inch lift with 37's and still have stock gears still runs stonge and i haul trailers and what ever i can fit in the bed