Lowering gear ratio - worth it?

[happypopuppers]

I have an F150 with tall gears in diff.  I want to change gear ratio in the diff to the next lower one.  It was an option, but my truck did not come with it.  This truck also has a standard tranny.

Reason for this, when backing up or starting out, the truck wants to go too fast.  No real slow and low gear to maneuver with.

I'm well within my weight limit while pulling, but I do want a slower, more controlled reverse and 1st gear.

Have any of you changed your differential gearing, and was it helpful?  Worth the trouble?

[wavery]

I have an F150 with tall gears in diff.  I want to change gear ratio in the diff to the next lower one.  It was an option, but my truck did not come with it.  This truck also has a standard tranny.

Reason for this, when backing up or starting out, the truck wants to go too fast.  No real slow and low gear to maneuver with.

I'm well within my weight limit while pulling, but I do want a slower, more controlled reverse and 1st gear.

Have any of you changed your differential gearing, and was it helpful?  Worth the trouble?

You didn't mention what ratio or engine that you have......also, it might be helpful to know what you are pulling.

[happypopuppers]

2006 Ford Regular Cab 4x2, short bed
Engine: 4.6 litter V8
Trans: 5 spd standard
Axle Ratio: 3.55

Pulling a 2001 Coleman Cheyenne with Reese WDH with anti-sway. Pulls like a dream, no sway or wiggle.

Weight is right at 2040 pounds.

This truck was very hard to find with this configuration, and I love it.  I just need a slower reverse and 1st gear when manuvering around.

Hiway speeds, I get 25 mpg, around town, 20 mpg.  Pulling trailer on hiway, the mpg drops to 20 to 21, depending on hills or not.

[wavery]

2006 Ford Regular Cab 4x2, short bed
Engine: 4.6 litter V8
Trans: 5 spd standard
Axle Ratio: 3.55

Pulling a 2001 Coleman Cheyenne with Reese WDH with anti-sway. Pulls like a dream, no sway or wiggle.

Weight is right at 2040 pounds.

This truck was very hard to find with this configuration, and I love it.  I just need a slower reverse and 1st gear when manuvering around.

Hiway speeds, I get 25 mpg, around town, 20 mpg.  Pulling trailer on hiway, the mpg drops to 20 to 21, depending on hills or not.

The reason that you are having these issues is more due to the std trans than the gear ratio. An auto trans is usually best for towing.

Having said that, the easiest solution for you is to change to 3.73 or 3.90 gears. 4.10s may be too low.

The consequences are obvious, you will suffer a small loss in gas mileage in direct proportion to the change in ratio but you would accomplish your goal. You shouldn't be too worried about that because you are currently getting about 30% better MPG than factory specs for that vehicle anyway.....

I would suspect that changing the ring & pinion should cost you in the neighborhood of $500. If the ratio change demands a change in the pinion case, the cost will go up for a new case (maybe another $500....just a guess) If you have positraction (or want it) the case could be higher.

BTW.....dry weight on your PU is 2025#..... If I were you, I'd get it weighed on the way to your next camp-out. Not that it will change anything but just so you know what you have. My bet is that is weighs a lot closer to 3K#.

[happypopuppers]

Thanks.

I'm probably the only person who pulls around an almost empty popup.  I have some plastic tubs that we throw in the back of the truck when we go out.  These tubs have our stuff in them.  This eliminates our having to load and unload the camper.  In the nose area, we keep the water hose, drain hose, and 3 wire sticks used to roast things over the camp fire, and the bal leveler.

The tubs work well.  They stack real nice too, which helps in storage.

I have been able to get poorer gas mileage if I drive too fast.  I'm the old dude with the cruise set at 55 or 60 depending on speed limit.  If it is a 55 mph limit, I'll go 54.  If the limit is 65, I'll set it for 60 to 63.  I baby the truck.  Easy starts and stops, etc...  I enjoy having a standard tranny.  I've had automatics, but like the stick better.  I grew up on a farm in central Utah.  Always had standard transmissions there too.  Probably is why I like them now.  

Just a side note.  I've always done better on miles per gallon than the manufacturer says I should.  I always use mobile one oil, keep the tires at max pressure, and drive a bit under the speed limit.  

I went by the Ford dealer today, and discussed switching out the gears.  They will do it for $650, puting in 3.90's.  He said something about flashing the computer too, though I'm not sure what that is exactly.

Thanks for your input.

[wavery]

Thanks.

I'm probably the only person who pulls around an almost empty popup.  I have some plastic tubs that we throw in the back of the truck when we go out.  These tubs have our stuff in them.  This eliminates our having to load and unload the camper.  In the nose area, we keep the water hose, drain hose, and 3 wire sticks used to roast things over the camp fire, and the bal leveler.

The tubs work well.  They stack real nice too, which helps in storage.

I have been able to get poorer gas mileage if I drive too fast.  I'm the old dude with the cruise set at 55 or 60 depending on speed limit.  If it is a 55 mph limit, I'll go 54.  If the limit is 65, I'll set it for 60 to 63.  I baby the truck.  Easy starts and stops, etc...  I enjoy having a standard tranny.  I've had automatics, but like the stick better.  I grew up on a farm in central Utah.  Always had standard transmissions there too.  Probably is why I like them now.  

Just a side note.  I've always done better on miles per gallon than the manufacturer says I should.  I always use mobile one oil, keep the tires at max pressure, and drive a bit under the speed limit.  

I went by the Ford dealer today, and discussed switching out the gears.  They will do it for $650, puting in 3.90's.  He said something about flashing the computer too, though I'm not sure what that is exactly.

Thanks for your input.

I was going to mention updating the computer but most shops can do that these days. The dealer may be the way to go with this job. Setting up a new ring & pinion is tricky business and the tech has to know what he is doing to get it right. If you have problems down the road, it's best to have a Ford Dealer behind the job than an independent garage IMO.

$650 sounds about right and I think that you would be much happier with that set-up, with a std trans. It will take awhile to get used to the sound of higher RPM of the engine at highway speeds though.

I have basically the same set-up as you do, only Chevy based. 4.8L V8 and 3.23:eyecrazy: gears. I have an auto trans, so I don't notice any problems with maneuvering at slow speed because the torque converter covers all that up.

I do notice that I have to pull steep grades in lower gears but I've never had an issue with maintaining highway speed of 55 except one time on an 8% grade. I was slowed to 45.

[happypopuppers]

Thank you very much for your helpful input.  I'm going to drop the truck off at Ford for the ratio change.  

I was wondering how you like your current camper.  We have visited two RV shows in the past month, trying to see what is being offered these days.  We have decided against buying another Coleman.  We are in the mood for buying a new camper, and are almost sold on the Jayco 1206, which is similar to what we have now.  A nice feature is the slide out style dinette.  We've had a few problems with this Coleman, the biggest being the warranty work through the dealer.  

Thanks again.

[wavery]

Thank you very much for your helpful input.  I'm going to drop the truck off at Ford for the ratio change.  

I was wondering how you like your current camper.  We have visited two RV shows in the past month, trying to see what is being offered these days.  We have decided against buying another Coleman.  We are in the mood for buying a new camper, and are almost sold on the Jayco 1206, which is similar to what we have now.  A nice feature is the slide out style dinette.  We've had a few problems with this Coleman, the biggest being the warranty work through the dealer.  

Thanks again.

We love our TrailManor. However, we are thinking of getting the 2720SL model. That model eliminates the front bed and replaces it with a slide out living room with a sofa-bed and chair.
http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Showroom/BuildRV/SelectModel.html

The trailer sets up a lot easier than a canvas side PopUp and the box is 15' long. In fact, it is so easy to set-up that we often set it up at rest stops, to have lunch (while hitched up). A "lunch" set-up literally takes about 3 minutes.

They have a full, hard-side bathroom with a shower and 30G holding tank, which is nice. All of the appliances are top of the line. The fridge is twice the size of a normal PopUp fridge.

The camper is well insulated due to the sandwich aluminum and Styrofoam construction. It's just about like having a hard-side travel trailer but it tows easier and it can be stored in the garage. What you loose is the big windows that you have in a canvas PopUp but like everything else in life....there are compromises .

They are pretty pricey new but there are some (like new) used ones out there. They are just hard to find and you must be willing to drive a long way to pick it up, if you find one.

[Yak]

650 is a deal, our labor rate is $95/hr at 6 hrs = 570 plus parts. A reflash is needed to let the PCM know your gear ratio so the speedo reads correctly, speedos don't use a gear any more, it picks up the signal from the ABS sensor in the rear.

[happypopuppers]

Thanks for the info.

My wife agreed to let me make the change.  When we get back home from this trip to Myrtle Beach, I'm going to drop the truck off for the change.  

I think it can only help things to be better.  Looking forward to it.