Ive got a 97 f150 4x4 4.2 with 3.55 (LS i believe) with 295 75 16's and 16x10's....i been thinkin about gears but its a little/lot out of my price range...the BIGGEST tire ill ever have on this truck ive decided is a 305 70 16...i have a broken front axle tube i need to replace which i shop said might cost me around 500....so my thought is to go to a pick yard and get a front diff and rear axle from this expy with 99,000 miles and 3.73's LS.....is 3.55-3.73's noticeable?...and does anyone think this is a good idea?...i thinks its a good idea but just wanted to see what you all say......AND DONT tell me to get 4.10s or 4.56's or 5.88's....its either spend 500 to get this stupid tube replaced or $157 per axle and replace them myself...Thanx!!

 

All i can say is ive heard its not worth it regearing from 3.55 to 3.73

Good luck tho

 

yeah...i know it will be some difference....not drastic...but i could do everything cheaper and get my axle tube fixed and still go up in gear size rather than just replacin the tube itself

 

i say go for it. will be fine for a 305.

 

What you should really do is get 4.10's.

 

^^ Thank You

 

x2 on 4.10s. Just gotta do the same to the transfercase as the rear diff.

 

Probably should read the Original Post.....anyway ...i can get a front diff for 70 bucks and a rear axle for 113....but none of the ones in the j-yard are 3.73's

 

It's stronger axles for cheaper if you can do the work. But you'll have other stuff to figure out im pretty sure. What year is the expy. Prolly has ABS where your maybe doesn't? Sounds like a good idea tho...stronger, no matter what, is always better imo.

 

any expedition axle isnt going to work unless your coverting to coil spring rear suspension.

 

yeah thats what i just found out hahah....well bummer

 

ima just keep lookin for an f150 with 3.73's...or save up and do just 4.10's in th rear

 

if you do gears, you need to do both front and rear (since your 4x4). only doing the back will cause problems anytime 4wd is engaged. its cheaper now but will hugely suck later!!!

 

yeah i would just never engage 4wd...until i could do the front of course....i would like to do it all at once but i work hvac while im not out at school and most weeks thats only one or two days a week so its hard to save up ha...there is just no work out here

 

i would still say do both at once or not at all. maybe think about doing it yourself or a friend as they have alot of videos out there to help through it, just an idea.