Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gear Ratio Change

[Wooter]

Would like to change from 3:54 to 3:73 or 4:11. Any suggestions about vendors, how much work will it be; etc ?

 

[ACoyle]

TTT

 

[bulabula]

Quite frankly, the change from 3. 54 to 3. 73's is minimal; its only when you jump to 4. 10 will you notice any significant change.



Its been a while since I've looked at doing this (in a Mustang), I'd guess the cost of gears to be around $300 a set and another 3-400 to install. Could be a little higher or lower depending on locale. 4x4's? Double it. Summit and Jegs probably carries them.



If you're going to pay someone, don't merely go the lowest bidder. Changing gears isn't rocket science, but it is an art. It takes a little more than owning an air wrench and lift if you don't want to hear them singing going down the road.





Why do you want to change them?

 

[Wooter]

Originally posted by bulabula

Quite frankly, the change from 3. 54 to 3. 73's is minimal; its only when you jump to 4. 10 will you notice any significant change.



Its been a while since I've looked at doing this (in a Mustang), I'd guess the cost of gears to be around $300 a set and another 3-400 to install. Could be a little higher or lower depending on locale. 4x4's? Double it. Summit and Jegs probably carries them.



If you're going to pay someone, don't merely go the lowest bidder. Changing gears isn't rocket science, but it is an art. It takes a little more than owning an air wrench and lift if you don't want to hear them singing going down the road.





Why do you want to change them?

 

[Wooter]

I NEED THE POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS. PULLING A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER THATS PRETTY HEAVY, AT TIMES, I COULD USE ANOTHER 50 PONIES! ALSO, ON FLAT GROUND, WITH A 30 MPH HEAD WIND, IT JUST WON'T HANG IN THERE. HAVE 4" EXH; THAT HELPED A LITTLE, BUT I THINK THE GEARS WILL HELP. ALSO, HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL IMPROVE MILEAGE. MT, USUALLY 16. 8 OR LOWER. PULLING, BOUT 10. 2.

 

[DHayden]

Sounds like a fueling box or mild injector's are in order. Would be alot cheaper than changing gears (especially if your 4X4). I have 3. 54's and I can pull 18k at 70mph all day long hills or not. My guess is you would keep a little better mileage to but Just my opinion.

 

[Beast2B]

3. 54 gears, 4. 5" lift, 37" tires, Comp box (with 4" exhaust and BHAF). I can tow 18K GCW any speed I want. BTW, I did gain a little mpg with Comp box... I like having the highway gears most of the time, I tow in fifth if there's any incline...

 

[Wooter]

BOUT THE WEIGHT, IM AT 21K. ALSO, DIDNT TELL YOU THAT I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC EITHER. AND BOUT THE HEAD WIND; ON I 40 COMMING OUT OF NEW MEX HEADDIN EAST INTO TEX. WE PULLED OFF FOR THE DAY AT 3 PM AND THERE WERE A BUNCH OF OTHER ONES ALSO.

 

[rweis]

Wooter,



Typing in ALL caps is equal to S H O U T I N G !!!!!!!!!!!!!



Normal case letters are fine.



I have an auto, 3. 54, and tow O/D out about 2500 rpm @ 63 mph. You don't have a sig so I do not know if youhave a rebuilt transmission or not. The key to the transmission is line pressure and lockup. The rpm's need to be above 1800rpm for good line pressure to hold the clutches well.



The rebuilders mod the transmission's to hold just about anything.



Read sigs, many have changed injectors, added boxes, but for sure guages.



Get the engine to about 400 - 450 hp and it will pull just about anything anywhere.



4. 10's depending on how much you tow. Tow a lot in mountains then the more you should probably go toward 4. 10's. Also depends on flat ground or mountains.



I tow 13k in flat FL, about 350 hp or so, no problem.



Bob Weis

 

[DHayden]

BOUT THE WEIGHT, IM AT 21K.

Don't know if your talking trailer weight or GCVW but in my 18k reply I was refering to just trailer weight. My truck weighs 8K so 26k GCVW. With a stock auto you can raise HP by about 60 before you encounter problems. Would still be cheaper than changeing gears.

 

[Chipstien]

Richmond make great gears if you go that route, FWIW, it would be a waste to go to 3. 73. If you decide to cough up the dough then get the 4. 10's. Love mine and I don't even tow anything. Like others have said some stage 2 or 3 injectors would be cheaper and fun'ner ( )

 

[Nickaru]

I had a two wheel drive 2001. 5 Dodge 2500 ETH with 4. 10 gears and it towed nice. Never really had to downshift going up hills. The RPMs were just right for around 55 to 70 mph. Now I have the 2001. 5 4x4 3500 with 3. 54s and I have to do about 70 to 75 in 6th gear to keep the engine from lugging. If I drop down to 55 mph, my engine is lugging around 1500 rpms. I will say the 3. 54s let me do 80 to 90 with no trailer with no problem, where the 4. 10s made the engine sound like she wanted to explode at 75. I'm trying to decide if I want to make that same change to 4. 10s. I like the overdrive speed of the 3. 54s, but they stink for towing. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[amillstream]

Ditto on what Nickaru said. I really hated my 3. 55s but I can tolorate them a whole lot better now thanks to the comp and dd2's. Tows like a dream now. Would still rather have 4. 10's. I'd say go with a ez and get 4. 10's on your next ride. (If you're like me that'll be a while!)

 

[DDT]

I have 4:10's and wish I had the 3:54's. I know it would pull it just fine. Sure wish it was not so expensive to switch them out.

 

[Mudinchev]

I really hated my 3. 55s but I can tolorate them a whole lot better now thanks to the comp and dd2's. Tows like a dream now. Would still rather have 4. 10's.



Isnt 3:73 some where in between?? Yes its expensive but its is a good compromise.

 

[Dbonzi]

replacing gears?

Do any of you know,?

I am going to change from 4. 10 to 3. 55's

Will I have to replace the carrier also?

I have a 4x4 so I will be doing both.

Just wondering about the carrier.

I have heard it both ways now.

Thanks guys

Dennis

 

[Mudinchev]

Going from 3. 54 to 4. 10 I believe there are after market manufactures that make that set up but the other way 4. 10 to 3. 54, the ring gear would be too thin. 3. 54 gears the pinoin gear is a larger diameter so they set the Ring gear farther away from the center line of the pinion. Since you cannot move the pinion gear side to side, the ring gear is set on two different carriers 4. 10 and 3. 54. To go from 4. 10 to 3. 54 they make (i think they do any way) a ring gear that is just thicker to take up the difference in size of the pinion. Sheez this is clear as mud huh.



Check out www.ring-pinion.com (Randys Ring and Pinion) give em a call they will be able to give you the final word.

 

[amillstream]

Originally posted by DDT

I have 4:10's and wish I had the 3:54's. I know it would pull it just fine. Sure wish it was not so expensive to switch them out.

DDT, If we lived about 1000 miles closer, I'd say lets trade em out! Oh well, I agree with Mudinchev, a comp and dd2's made the 3. 55's alot more tolorable, but my next truck will be sure to have 4. 10's.