I almost forgot....I've heard that Hypertech has a gadget to plug into the port in the dash to recallibrate your speedo and tranny for bigger tires. Has anyone tried it? Is this a figment of my imagination? Does it do ABS as well? Enough questions? Okay See you soon

------------------
'97 F150 S/C 4x4 Lariat Black w all the factory toys 4.6 L K&N YUP! 285's next week! Can't wait to get this scanner working so I can show this beauty off *S*

 

Here is what I know. The 98+s you have to use a device like the hypertech unit.

For the 97s you can actually buy a new gear. If you look at the rear of the transfer case on the drivers side there are 2 wire harnesses. One on the bottom and the one on the top. The one on the top is the speedo. There is a bolt, about 10MM head there to remove and it pulls off. then remove the speedo gear, take it down to the Ford dealer along with the original tire height (on the inside door jam) and the new tire height. From there, they can get you the right gear.

FYI -- the hypertech unit is like $350. The gear is the cheaper alternative here. Like maybe $15 at the most.

 

Is the new gear easy to install yourself with basic tools or do you need anything special to do it with? I went from the stock 235/60 to 285/75 so my speedometer is off pretty bad at high speeds. Also, my odometer seems to be off quite a bit. This is my main concern because that is what i base my maintenance schedule off of. Thanks, Eric

------------------
'97 F150 4X4 Supercab XLT
Rhino Lining
285/75/16 BFG AT/KO
4.6L Triton V8
5 Speed Manual tranny

 

Thanks for the tip on the gear. Will this help with ABS probs as well? A lot of the tire guys around here are advising against 285's, but I've seen lots of guys running them.

 

I changed gears on my '97 and it was easy-5 minutes and one wrench. It cost me about 8 bucks. I went from 235's to 285's.

------------------
'97 F150XL 4.6L 5 spd 4x4
SC, Silver Frost
Clearcoat Metallic,
K&N air filter, Access
Roll-Up Cover, bug
deflector, rear custom
Ford mudflaps, Pioneer
Supertuner CD, 4 Cerwin
Vega Speakers. Future
mods: Spray-in bed liner,
shocks, Superchip,
stainless rocker panel.
* 9/27/99 installed
Factory Ford 60/40 seats
from Sonny's
* 10/13/99 installed
cat-back exhaust system
with dual pipes out back,
a Dynomax Race Magnum
muffler, and 3 1/2'
stainless slash tips.
* 3/9/00 installed BFG AT
285/75R16 on American
Racing Altas 16x8
http://sites.netscape.net/iridektm/homepage


[This message has been edited by iridektm (edited 07-13-2000).]

 

Just got done with the speedo gear. There is about a 10mm nut on the drivers side of the Transfer case. Almost at the rear drive shaft. Undo the nut then pull the harness out. My stock gear was RED 21 tooth. The truck came with 3.55 gears and 235 tires stock. New tires are 285s.

Went to the Ford dealer with the gear, $7.34 for a new one. I got a 19 tooth gear.

Iridektim, what tooth gear did you get?

 

You guys are awesome, since I have a 97, I was planning on forking over the $350.00 for a Hypertech Power Programmer to recalliberate my speedo, but now that I know that I can go spend $15.00 for a new gear, what a relief! Thanks again guys, and that is why this site is awesome and I'm glad I found it!

 

Actually, the 1998's can also still be re-calibrated using a standard speedo reduction gear. It's not until the 1999 model year that is *has* to be done in the computer.

For those 1999 & later, we can also adjust that in the Superchip as well.

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Info:https://www.f150online.com/rally2000/index.html

 

Matt90GT,
I also went from a red 21 to a pink 19. I also have 3.55 gearing. Did you notice a big difference in torque after going to 285's? I have trouble pulling a trailer now. I guess it's the price to pay for the good looks. Changing gearing is probably out of the question. I'm sure it is pricey.

 

I have the 5sp manual and the torque seems about the same from the 265s that were on there. The stock tires off the showroom were originally 235s, so I never had the truck with those on it. With the taller tires, it seems that I dont have to shift as quick as with the 265s.

I am sure if we had 4sp auto you could tell a LOT more difference.

We had ordered a 2000 with 3.73s but Ford stopped making them and we were not on the list to make the cut. I think that they would be fine with the 5sp. I would consider 4.10s with the auto. With the 5sp, there is a 8.8 out back with the 8.8 front IFS diff. The rear can be done for like $350, the front I dont know. But I would assume for like 5-700 you could get the front and rear done. If you pick up your own gears, maybe less.

[This message has been edited by Matt90GT (edited 07-14-2000).]

 

Matt90GT,
My truck came with 235's also which I did use for a little while. At about 25,000 I switched to 265's like you had. I did feel the difference espcially when towing. Just recently I put on my 285's. It's true about not shifting quite as fast with the 5 speed manual but I have lost lots of torque compared to when it came with the 235's. I really notice it in 4th and 5th gears it has no passing power. I have to downshift to third to go anywhere which makes more noise than anything. I am beginning to think I might have other problems too which might be causing some power loss. I have had my "check engine" light coming on. When I ordered my truck I really didn't know much about what my plans were and didn't think it through. I new I was going to change tires and wheels but didn't think about the affect on the gearing. The truck was built with 235's and 3.55 gears so in changing to about a 3 inch taller tire would change the ratio considerably. Thanks for the info on changing gearing.

------------------
'97 F150XL 4.6L 5 spd 4x4
SC, Silver Frost
Clearcoat Metallic,
K&N air filter, Access
Roll-Up Cover, bug
deflector, rear custom
Ford mudflaps, Pioneer
Supertuner CD, 4 Cerwin
Vega Speakers. Future
mods: Spray-in bed liner,
shocks, Superchip,
stainless rocker panel.
* 9/27/99 installed
Factory Ford 60/40 seats
from Sonny's
* 10/13/99 installed
cat-back exhaust system
with dual pipes out back,
a Dynomax Race Magnum
muffler, and 3 1/2'
stainless slash tips.
* 3/9/00 installed BFG AT
285/75R16 on American
Racing Altas 16x8

http://sites.netscape.net/iridektm/homepage

 

You may want to invest in some mods for the engine. I have removed the air silencer in the plastic intake tube and cut open the end of the airbox. I have a K&N filter due to arrive any day. That gave the truck a noticeable power increase. I need to get a good cat-back system also. Later I may also get a larger TB to install.

Your gears maybe fine as they are. Maybe you just need to open up the engine for some more power. Then it will pull those gears fine. I only shift into 4th for passing unless i am under 40.

I guess that I also dont drive the truck like I do the mustang gt. hehe, a bit of a different beast there.

 

I have a K&N filter in now and a cat back system (see my signature). I'm interested in the airbox mods you have done. You removed the air silencer in the plastic intake tube and cut open the end of the airbox. Tell me more if you can. Is this a common thing to do?

------------------
'97 F150XL 4.6L 5 spd 4x4
SC, Silver Frost
Clearcoat Metallic,
K&N air filter, Access
Roll-Up Cover, bug
deflector, rear custom
Ford mudflaps, Pioneer
Supertuner CD, 4 Cerwin
Vega Speakers. Future
mods: Spray-in bed liner,
shocks, Superchip,
stainless rocker panel.
* 9/27/99 installed
Factory Ford 60/40 seats
from Sonny's
* 10/13/99 installed
cat-back exhaust system
with dual pipes out back,
a Dynomax Race Magnum
muffler, and 3 1/2'
stainless slash tips.
* 3/9/00 installed BFG AT
285/75R16 on American
Racing Altas 16x8

http://sites.netscape.net/iridektm/homepage

 

Here is one mod. I just cut the airbox in half basically instead of the metal ring:
https://www.f150online.com/tech/airbox.html

Forgot to add, I did not cut mine. If you just get some pliers, you can pull it out.
Here is the link to the inside airpipe silencer:
http://members.home.net/fordf150/htairintake.htm

Also if you want more torque, think about a TB spacer. The longer the intake runners, the lower the power band, ie more torque. Just the opposite with long runners. More upper RPM Hp, loss of torque. But from some other post results have been not as good with the 4.6s. The 5.0s with the upper intake spacer help gain back some lost torque from exhaust and headers.

[This message has been edited by Matt90GT (edited 07-14-2000).]

 

Matt90GT,
Thanks for the info. I'm going to look into this.