4.2L regrets
#61
12-20-1999 | 11:51 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
#62
12-21-1999 | 04:34 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Awww finally! I feel right at home talking about how great the V-6 REALLY is.
If anyone is going to change out their stock gears, I would "highly" suggest the 4.10's. Don't bother w/ the 3.55's or 3.73's. I was running stock 3.55's and the P235 tires, then upgraded to the BFG 265/75R16's. My V-6 automatic turned into a sick dog sled, the tranny constantly shifting in and out of overdrive and had no ***** when passing. Working with some simple math told me if I wanted to return to a stock set-up, (w/ the 265's then I would need a 3.88 gear set). If you want to upgrade to bigger tires and want to find what gear ratio you will need do this;(height in inches of your upgraded tires divided by height of stock tires times the gear ratio you have now equals new gear ratio (mine...31.65"/28.95"x3.55 = 3.8810879
But I wanted more power so I went with the 4.10 gears. and extra power I got!. I am very very very pleased w/ them. A local professional speed shop install them for $280 including Schaffer gear oil and friction modifier, As far as what kind of gears to use, there are many companies out there, I did my homework and spent almost 3 months researching and calling around for the best prices. I wanted only the best gears for my truck, the brand that "I" found to be the best are (US GEAR). The pros use either US Gear or Presision Gears. The ring and pinion set ran me $185, I also bought a complete bearing kit for $75 (shims, Timken bearings, crush collar, pinion nut, gasket,etc etc). In addition to the 4.10's, I just installed a Superchip. Holy sh*t ! this V-6 is now a fire breather, it ROCKS !, I totally love this engine, This set-up of gears and a chip are perfect for me. For folks like HotRodSix and Jim-1911, you know what I am talking about!
If you really want to liven up your V-6, then invest in a GOOD quality ring and pinion set, you won't be disappointed. The Superchip alone is not a "fix all" if you upgrade to bigger tires, Many folks believe that if you upgrade, say 3 tire sizes and just install a Superchip, you will regain the power back. NOT SO, this is a huge misconception. In order to return to your stock setup, or a little better, you have to change out your ring and pinion gears to match those larger tires. Especially for us V-6 owners.
My speedo gear (w/ the bigger tires and 4.10 gears is running 5.3% fast (more math) and haven't got it corrected yet. When my odometer reads 75MPH my tach is reading 2250RPM, the 4.10's do not increase the RPM's that much
Mileage; before the Superchip was installed I was averging 15.4MPG city/HWY driving, and w/ the addition of the Superchip...well I can't keep my foot off of the "go pedal" so I don't know my mileage right now. Hopefully my mileage will improve soon :-)
best of luck
F&B's
------------------
98 F-150,4.2L auto, 4.10 gears w/ LS, Tow Pkg. BFG AT 265/75/16, K&N air filter, Dynomax muffler, Edlelbrock shocks, Hellwig sway bar, 3" body lift
[This message has been edited by franks&beans (edited 12-21-1999).]
If anyone is going to change out their stock gears, I would "highly" suggest the 4.10's. Don't bother w/ the 3.55's or 3.73's. I was running stock 3.55's and the P235 tires, then upgraded to the BFG 265/75R16's. My V-6 automatic turned into a sick dog sled, the tranny constantly shifting in and out of overdrive and had no ***** when passing. Working with some simple math told me if I wanted to return to a stock set-up, (w/ the 265's then I would need a 3.88 gear set). If you want to upgrade to bigger tires and want to find what gear ratio you will need do this;(height in inches of your upgraded tires divided by height of stock tires times the gear ratio you have now equals new gear ratio (mine...31.65"/28.95"x3.55 = 3.8810879
But I wanted more power so I went with the 4.10 gears. and extra power I got!. I am very very very pleased w/ them. A local professional speed shop install them for $280 including Schaffer gear oil and friction modifier, As far as what kind of gears to use, there are many companies out there, I did my homework and spent almost 3 months researching and calling around for the best prices. I wanted only the best gears for my truck, the brand that "I" found to be the best are (US GEAR). The pros use either US Gear or Presision Gears. The ring and pinion set ran me $185, I also bought a complete bearing kit for $75 (shims, Timken bearings, crush collar, pinion nut, gasket,etc etc). In addition to the 4.10's, I just installed a Superchip. Holy sh*t ! this V-6 is now a fire breather, it ROCKS !, I totally love this engine, This set-up of gears and a chip are perfect for me. For folks like HotRodSix and Jim-1911, you know what I am talking about!
If you really want to liven up your V-6, then invest in a GOOD quality ring and pinion set, you won't be disappointed. The Superchip alone is not a "fix all" if you upgrade to bigger tires, Many folks believe that if you upgrade, say 3 tire sizes and just install a Superchip, you will regain the power back. NOT SO, this is a huge misconception. In order to return to your stock setup, or a little better, you have to change out your ring and pinion gears to match those larger tires. Especially for us V-6 owners.
My speedo gear (w/ the bigger tires and 4.10 gears is running 5.3% fast (more math) and haven't got it corrected yet. When my odometer reads 75MPH my tach is reading 2250RPM, the 4.10's do not increase the RPM's that much
Mileage; before the Superchip was installed I was averging 15.4MPG city/HWY driving, and w/ the addition of the Superchip...well I can't keep my foot off of the "go pedal" so I don't know my mileage right now. Hopefully my mileage will improve soon :-)
best of luck
F&B's
------------------
98 F-150,4.2L auto, 4.10 gears w/ LS, Tow Pkg. BFG AT 265/75/16, K&N air filter, Dynomax muffler, Edlelbrock shocks, Hellwig sway bar, 3" body lift
[This message has been edited by franks&beans (edited 12-21-1999).]
#63
12-21-1999 | 12:55 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Near Ottawa, Canada
To Doug Wilkerson: Correction (minor) on the revs at 70 mph, posted above. It's 2300 rpm in 5th, not 2500 (OE 235/70 X 16 tires, 3.55, 5-speed, V6). It's 2500 rpm at 75 on my tach.
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Black 2000 SC XLT short-box. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, FORD box liner. Add-ons: Older Windstar driver's side wiper blade (with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains), back-up beeper, "f150online.com" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.
My third F-series: '73 F-100, '98 F-150 and '00 F-150. Great trucks!
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Black 2000 SC XLT short-box. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, FORD box liner. Add-ons: Older Windstar driver's side wiper blade (with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains), back-up beeper, "f150online.com" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.
My third F-series: '73 F-100, '98 F-150 and '00 F-150. Great trucks!