I have a 2001 F150 4X4 (Super Cab, Short Box) with 6" FabTech lift and 315/75/16 (35" tires). Running the 5.4 L with 3.55 gear (not for long). Looking for recomendations as to what gear to use. I'm not a hardcore off-roader. Looking to put a good middle-of-the-road gear in to help out the trans, yet maintaining decent fuel mileage (streetable). I have the Hypertech Power Program installed as well. I hear everything from 4.10s, 4.30s, to 4.56s. Thanks for any and all responses.

Yumps.

 

Here is a web link that has several different calculators that might help you out....

http://www.bncoffroad.com/tire_gear_cal.html

Personally, I would not consider any less then 4.30 with those tires....... I'd like to get some 4.10's for my little 31" tall tires!!

 

Mitch,

Thanks for the link and info....and your consideration/opinion is right in line with mine. Actually, I was being a little sneaky here, doing a little reconaissance...I have already installed 4.10s in the truck and am very disappointed I didn't go with my gut and the 4:30s. Basically, I wanted to prove my instincts right or wrong with this thread. The place I had do the gear (reputable place) talked me into the 4.10s and I'm pretty upset about the results. It'll take another $1000 if I want to change to 4.30s. Maybe that's what they were driving at...get me to go for the 4.10s, be unhappy, and then be dumb enough to go back, give them more cabbage for the right gears (just a conspiracy theory on my part). Will have to think about this one for a while before I ante up more cheese.

To everyone out there who plans on running 35's on an F150 w/ 5.4L, please do yourself a favor and go with 4.30 gears or bigger. I think you'll be very disappointed with anything less.

Also, being a newbie to this forum, I definitely appreciate all the info provided here. Not to mention I've sold a couple items in the classifieds as well. Thanks for everyone's input. This site rocks! I just wish I would've come here and got more opinions before spending my wad on the 4.10s. Live and learn...

Jeremy

 

Hey Jer.....I think I'd go with the 4.56's just because of the overdrive factor. Right now your truck probably shifts out of OD for hills.....towing etc......so your RPM's are going WAY high. With 4.56's you should have enough grunt that your truck stays in OD and therefore reasonable rpm range even though the gears are so Beefy. Good luck Phil

 

Hello yumpoo,

With a 9.75 rear axle like yours the only options are 4.10 and 4.56 no one makes 4.30 gears for that axle. For 33" tires or less 4.10's are fine for 35" 4.56's are the way to go.

 

If you haven't seen this thread yet, look at powerstroke73 comments about the 4.30 gears...... Basically it says that your only choice for a 4x4 will be 4.56......... Of course, that means a whole other gear swap like you said and more $$$$$...... Bummer man.... That really sucks.......

Gear ratio for 4x4

Good luck!

 

I put 4.56 in my 01 supercrew f150 and it seems like my truck is slow as heck now. Still seems like it isn't enough grunt while towing my 4 place enclosed trailer. I am running 35 inch tires, but something just doesn't seem right with my truck....any ideas?

 

I have 35's and am running and short of the slight whine at like 50 mph at cruising I love them. You really can't go any bigger as far as gears without going to a 9" or bigger axel.

 

i would definately go with the 4:56 gears
i have a 84 f250 with them gears and 35x14:50x16.5 thornbirds and a 300 6 and it pulls them llike a dream

 

Thanks again guys for making my day and telling me I have the wrong gears in my truck... Looks like 4.56's would've been the answer.

1BADRIDE, Great looking truck...can't help you with your issues tho since I have 4.10s...Sorry. I would imagine pulling a 4-place sled trailer with 4 sleds equates to quite a lot of weight (plus lots of wind drag). Maybe a supercharger would be in order??

I've got another issue with my suspension so will head there to post.

Thanks again.

Yumpoo

 

Your "gut" was right. 4.56 is the was to go with 35" or taller. I'm a little late in saying so, but wanted to post. I had 35" with 3.55 and drove approx. 5000 miles and it was a dog. I went to 37" and geared to 4.56 and can smoke them off the line.


https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=4135

 

INDAMUD, Yeah, I think the 4.56s would've been da bomb.

Your truck is looking good. The the bigger tires and higher height makes it look a lot more agressive. Think I'll stop at the 6" lift, tho. Will try to post a couple pics of my truck as well tonite.

Noticed you have a Fabtech system. I like the way the kit is set-up (less the shocks that come with it). It's truly a beefy set-up. However, I've got some popping noises when body shifts...when I come to a stop or when I take off (more so on the stop). It sounds like back in the day when I would put a baseball card in the spokes of my pedal bike to make it sound cool. Have you experienced this sort of noise with your truck?