2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 4.10 to 3.54?

[surfbeetle]

Any idea what the parts cost to change the rear end from 4. 10 to 3. 54 on my 95? Also, is it worth the miles per gallon increase? Anyone done this and how much of a top speed and mpg increase did you get? My current top speed is 85 mph.

thanks

 

[bmoeller]

Best way to do this, would be to find someone that has the same model truck, with the 3. 54 gears, to do an even swap.



Other-wise, it would be cheaper to go to a taller tire. Doing it for mileage alone, without a swap, won't probably gain you enough to make the cost worth it.

 

[jkalchik]

You're looking at probably $3-400 per axle in install costs, as well as a couple of hundred in gears plus a little more for new bearings and seals. Seeing as you're asking what it would take, I'll gently suggest that this is probably not the job for you to tackle.



The easier was, as bmoeller says, would be to find someone with a 3. 54 axle and do the swap.

 

[Lightfoot]

I paid a shop to convert my 7. 3 4x4 a few years back from 410 to 354. Cost me 1500. 00. It was worth it, I spend a lot of miles on the freeway. Milage increase was 2 mpg, but that was a Ford without a lock up torque converter. My Dodge 2500 4x4 has 354 gears, gets 20 mpg on the freeway with a pump that needs to be timed. Probably will do better when we re-time it. It loafs at 70mph.



'96 2500, 4x4, AT,4"exhaust,high flo muffler,Power Loc rear diff,Pac Brake, 354gears

 

[Eric Lee]

My truck has the 3. 54 gears and with 295/75-16's (33" tall) runs about 2000 rpm at 75 mph.



I've had it up around 110 but I don't remember the rpm. I don't think it was anywhere close to redline.



-Eric

 

[Got Smoke?]

Check out Randy's Ring & Pinion (sorry no web address, but their out there on the net somewhere) for the best price in gears and kits.



Its definately worth the change, I wouldn't own a truck with 4. 10 gears with or even without a couple of power mods a 3. 55 equipped truck pulls just fine. Mine does, and I enjoy 17-18 mpg on the street.

 

[ASTAR]

Yep, I did a swap with a guy that was in Oregon (here on the board). Swapped complete axles. We had like trucks and like miles so it worked out perfectly. I wanted the 4. 10's to compensate for my larger tires. Worked out great and it took about 3/4 of a day with air tools, 4 guys and 2 racks.

 

[EarlKann]

I have a D70 SRW with 3. 54's that I'd be happy to trade with you, but it is out of a '92. Does anyone know if the rear axle will swap between a 1st gen and a 2nd gen???

 

[surfbeetle]

Thanks everyone for the input. I will do some further research based on this info. EarlKann, mine is a Dana 80. I would like to stick with it and not a 70, thank you however.