I have a 2003 ford f150 with a 4.6 and a 5 speed manual transmission 4x4 ext. cab and 3.31 gears. I bout the truck with 50000 miles on it and it ran good i put 285 on it and it seems like it dosent have much power i dont know if its because of the tires or the gear ratio i pull trailers alot with it and i need more power with it any opinions. Motor swap , Gear swap or some thing help !

 

gears... you already have highway gears as it is and adding 285's only made an anemic situation worse

 

so what should i look for 3.73s or 3.51 ? i have some older fords laying around that have 3.51s in it and it think its out of a 98 but mine has all wheel disc brakes and this one has drum brakes is it possible to switch them out or should i just buy the gears and swap them or is it easier to find a complete rear and front end for it. just dont know what is inner changeable on the 97 to 03 fords.

 

gears.... i got a 3.73 and im sitting on 37s. 4.6L 5 speed truck moves around fine but im thinktng about going with a taller for more bottom end. explorers mustangs um cobras mark viiis all use a ford 8.8 so mostly all carriers will work or you can just buy a taller ring and pinion set but if its 4x4 you have to do front as well or not use 4x4.

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...ion_gears.html

4.10 gears wouldnt be bad but you can go taller as well for that bottom end. do you do alot of high speeds? all things to think about.

ALSO it doesnt matter what drums and disc are on the end as long as its a 8.8 axle the carriers should work. i think the one i got in my truck was from a earlys 90s bronco.

some damage i did to my rear end on 33s.

 

Im on the highway alot with it and the interstate so maybe 3.73 would work good for me i have never done rear end work is it difficult to switch out the carrier or ring and pinion gear i was just gonna swap the whole rear end for a 9 in with 3.73s in it but its has drum brakes and mine is disc and told it wont work so i just dont know whats the easiest.