stock-ish tires, lower gears
09-21-2018, 11:19 PM
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stock-ish tires, lower gears
Hey all, first time poster, long time reader. I've searched through tons of forums too see if I could find anything, but I can't so I figured I would give it a go. I have a 99 4x4 with a 4.6 and a 5 speed. I have 265/75-17 tires and an open diff. I usually tow my camper with one of my powerstrokes. During the fire season both of my diesels are sometimes out and I am left to tow with my 150. It's a great little truck, don't get me wrong, but it tows that like crap over the passes. I was curious to see if anyone has changed the gearing to a 4.10, 4.30, or 4.56? Keep in mind, this truck is long since paid off and I plan on keeping it as long as I can keep buying parts for it. My camper is apx 8K when wet.
09-22-2018, 07:02 AM
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Something else to keep in mind- whatever ratio you change the rear dif to, you have to change the front dif to also- unless you disable the engagement devices -
09-22-2018, 09:30 AM
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The M50D is a light duty transmission. You can get the 4;10 and 4:56 ratios for the front, but I don't think you can get the 4:30 ratio in reverse cut for the front ( correct me if i'm wrong) if you decide to go that route.
Last edited by JCR 56; 09-22-2018 at 09:32 AM.
09-22-2018, 10:42 AM
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I haven’t seen the reverse cut either, but a buddy of mine showed the options for it while looking. And I’ve hauled 10k with it for quite a bit of its life. I’m trying to make it easier on everything now by changing the gearing. Engine and trans won’t have to work so hard. After 214k I can tell you first hand the 5 speed isn’t as weak as everyone thinks.
