Ok, I know engines, I know exhaust, I know transmissions (pretty well). However, when it comes to gears, im green...well, yellow. I understand how they work and the differences between ratios. However, I am asking for opinions here.

My S331 weighs 5500+ pounds with me in it. It has some HUGE 23" wheels with a 305/45 set of meats all the way around. The truck came with 3.73 gears in it. Since this is my daily driver...I am in traffic...a lot...stop and go here in Atlanta. It seems like the truck is always right between OD and 3rd gear....which is annoying as all get out.

I am considering getting 4.10 gears installed in the truck. I know that would help to get the big meats "arollin'" I am, however, concerned with two things...wear and tear and gas mileage.

I have heard rumors of some guys getting BETTER gas mileage in these trucks with 4.10 gears...even on the highway. What kind of difference do you think I would see?

Additionally, wear and tear....will these gears wear out anything faster on the truck?

Any info would be appreciated. Maybe JIMIII can chime in. Jim, if you see this, im the guy in GA that ordered the saleen tonneau from you recently.

-Shane

 

4.56s <- Seriously

 

I think 4.56s will be too much gear for me. When not in traffic, I do a LOT of highway driving.

 

Depends how fast you go. I had a lowered 2004 F150 2wd 4.6L w/ 4.56s and I got 18mpg @ 68mph on the freeway. Now i have a stock 2006 FX4 and I can't even break 15mpg on the highway.

 

not sure how tall your 305's are but i have 35's with 4.88's and i get down the highway at 75mph just fine at about 2700rpms.

you could get 4:30 gears. they make them for the rear but not the front. I don't rememeber if your truck is a 4x4 but with 23" rims i'm guessing you don't use it if you have it.

i also thought about 4:10s and everyone here told me that 3:73's and 4:10's aren't far enough apart to make it worth the swap. I"m glad i listened to them.

 

my tires are 32.5 inches tall....if that helps.

It is not 4wd

 

4:30 BTW aftermarket gears will last just as long or longer than the stock ones unless they are installed and setup wrrong
http://www.accuautoparts.com/

 

I was always told you need to go at least 2 steps up or down when you change gears, otherwise it's not worth it. Since you already have 3.73's, one step would be 4.10's, two would be 4.30's.

 

thanks for all of the input. According to my calculations...@70mph, my rpms will be 246 greater than what they are with 3.73s...assuming I go with 4.30s. In my opinion...feel free to share yours...I may save some gas in town, but lose some on the highway....and it should nearly balance out?

I got to thinking about the driving I do...80% is in bumper to bumper traffic or in town. seems like 4.30 is the way to go.

Whats the going rate for a gear install?

 

not sure - i did mine myself. for one set i'm guessing that u are looking at somewhere around 750 or so with all parts. Don't quote me at that though.

I think your math is off some. it should change more than that. remember to get the right size ring and pinion set. you should have probably 8.8" ring. i think it was just the 5.4s that came with the 9.75s

 

I have a su;ercharged 5.4 saleen truck...9.75" rear.

I went to an online calculator...but I couldnt choose what size rear, just the gear size

 

Do you do a lot of highway speed driving? I agree with i.ride.suzuki that the 4.56s really wouldn't be bad, they'd put a huge smile on your face though. I don't know who makes 4.30s but if the only company that makes them is Motive, stay away. Very far away !!

 

i think ford racing makes 4:30s. they put them in some of the expeditions

 

I have 4.10 gears with 32.2" tires and my truck gets just about the same gas mileage as it did with the stock 31.5" tires and 3.55 gears. I get roughly 13.5 mpg in the city (if I don't push it too hard) and 17 mpg on the highway.

 

This is really a tough question to answer. I had 3.55 gears with my 22"s with 305/40's and it was really in between overdrive and 3rd. I was going to go with 4.10's because I was worried about economy, then I realized, wait I have a SC truck I should be real concerned about this so I had 4.30's installed. Wel my first impression was ok, it didnt seem to have the pickup I though it should have but it works a lot better with the trans in traffic. I havent driven it enough to give a mpg info but I almost wished that I had got 4.56 gears instead. My tires are just under 32" so if you are taller than 32" you might want to get the 4.56's just my .02