3.73 vs. 4.30 AXLE RATIO
We are about to factory order our first Ford product. F-250 SRW 4x4 Super Cab, 8ft box XLT; 6.2 L V-8 gasser 385hp @ 5,500 RPM; torque 405 lb/ft. @ 4,500 RPM; 6-speed transmission; Snow Plow P...
Forum Discussion
To the OP on original question:
If the truck truly never gets driven for anything besides towing get the 4.30 axle. If it is going to have any non-towing, get the 3.73 and let the transmission downshift. The top 3 gears are close ratio, so a downshift isn’t so miserable as back in the 4 speed days. According to a cousin with almost the same set up, the truck will only be in 6th gear going downhill. On the flat and uphill it will be downshifting.
On the questions not asked:
F-250s used to come with 2” spacer blocks between the spring and axle which will cause any fifth wheel to droop the back end of the truck—bigger trailer, more droop. F-350 comes with 4” block and auxiliary springs. That takes care of the droop but may cause the trailer to run nose high—many threads on this.
If you are going to keep the truck over 100,000 miles I would get a diesel. If you want to save money in the first 100,000 mi. and don’t mind hearing the engine run at high RPM, the gas will be less expensive. We pull a 9200 lb. trailer up 6% grades at 1850 RPM at 60 MPH—easy, peasy.
If the truck truly never gets driven for anything besides towing get the 4.30 axle. If it is going to have any non-towing, get the 3.73 and let the transmission downshift. The top 3 gears are close ratio, so a downshift isn’t so miserable as back in the 4 speed days. According to a cousin with almost the same set up, the truck will only be in 6th gear going downhill. On the flat and uphill it will be downshifting.
On the questions not asked:
F-250s used to come with 2” spacer blocks between the spring and axle which will cause any fifth wheel to droop the back end of the truck—bigger trailer, more droop. F-350 comes with 4” block and auxiliary springs. That takes care of the droop but may cause the trailer to run nose high—many threads on this.
If you are going to keep the truck over 100,000 miles I would get a diesel. If you want to save money in the first 100,000 mi. and don’t mind hearing the engine run at high RPM, the gas will be less expensive. We pull a 9200 lb. trailer up 6% grades at 1850 RPM at 60 MPH—easy, peasy.
