Some time in the near future I will be purchasing either a used 2011 or new...depends on what I can find.

Extended cab 4x4,leather interior....like the look of FX4 package...which comes with 3.73s but sorta want the limited slip.
I live near Calgary Alberta so a fair bit of tough pulling can occur in the mountains and foothills,along with alot of wind.
Pulling about 7k trailer with a bike on the back.
Engine option is either the Ecoboost or 5.0,either one I would be happy with but the 5.0 is much easier to come by in the extended cab.
In the past I have had 3.55 gears and 5.4Lcombo and gotta say it sucked for towing so I am a little concerned about 3.55s....
The 6 speed is supposed to make a big difference in finding the sweet spot so it may be fine.
Any opinions or experience would be appreciated...

 

I always recommend the shortest axle for F-150s. There has been no real world difference in fuel economy for the otherwise same truck. Yet, there is 5% more wheel torque which is always a benefit. The 6-spd auto will make a much larger difference over the old 4-spd you have.

I also recommend the LSD for everyone except those who actually go off-road and need to lock the axle in 4WD. Open diff sucks!

There is great feedback on both the 5.0L and EB. Drive both. If you can hook them up to your trailer, even better. I've not driven the 5.0L, but a couple heavy 4WD Screw EB trucks including hooking up my 6000 pounds travel trailer. It pulls hard from 2000rpm+. I even thought it shifted a little sooner than I expected, but as long as the next gear is over 2000rpm, it just goes.

Why not order the truck you want?

 

I'd get 4.10s, there is no reason not to

 

I would go with the 373's. Neighbour has the 355's in his 09 and says he has to travel well over the speed limit to get into 6th gear and then the mileage is fantastic. He figures that with the 373's he would be idling down the road while doing about 110 kph compared to 122 kmp. Speeding tickets cost more than fuel!!!!!!!!

 

I have 3.73s on my 2011 FX4...had them on my 2005 KingRanch 4x4. I was and am completely happy with this ratio. 4.10's will hurt MPGs...

 

another option if you want the fx4 and since you can't get the LS is do the raptor mod and have the ability to lock the rear in 2wd. cost about $150 IIRC.

if your going to be towing 7k i'd try and get 4.10's but your stuck with the ecoboost then i believe. i didn't see an option for max tow on the 5.0 when shopping for mine. you also gotta remember you will have atleast 60 more hp than your 5.4 did so it should/will pull better.

i went with a supercab fx4 5.0 and will be towing around 5-6k pounds (toyota landcruiser + trailer weight and gear)

 

barely, the 6 speed is double overdrive

 

The 6 speed and 4 speed have the same final gear

 

my point is is that it doesnt have to drop a huge amount and spin the motor up durring a downshift. the difference between 4.10 and 3.73 is minor. you're not going to lose MPG in a noticeable level.

 

I agree, unmeasurable difference in fuel economy between 4.10 and 3.31 axle ratios in the real world, let alone 3.73 and 4.10.

 

The open diff seems a little silly for everyday driving,especially winter up here in Alberta,and that's the one negative about the FX4.....I wonder if warranty will be affected doing the Raptor mod...
I have never seen a F150 with 4.10s...
I'd probably order a truck....but gotta figure out what I want! LOL

 

I asked a ford mechanic buddy and he said they probably wouldn't even notice it...that and you can swap they old stuff right back in if need be. But the raptor mod only alows you to lock it up to 20mph in 2wd.

winter driving...kinda like this?

(can't even tell I got 35's and a 6in lift.)

 

I tow my 2010 Wrangler Unlimited to trail rides, and am re-gearing to 4.30's on my 2009 FX4. After pulling in the hills in Arkansas and South Dakota, the 3.73's yielded a whopping 8.2mpg, and the constant hard 6-4 downshifts didn't give me a warm fuzzy about lifespan of the transmission.

The truck and loaded trailer grossed at 13,600 on my last trip for reference purposes. And the Jeep is lifted 3.5" with 35" rubber, so it's a brick in the air. Drove speed limit with and without cruise.



-Andy

 

4.10 is only available as an option on the FX4 and 20" wheels. I've never seen one either.

 

No 4.30 for front diff...