3:73 to 4:30 on Excursion V-10
I know there are some guys running excursion v10s on here with 4:30 gears was wondering if anyone started with 3:73s? Got a quote from a local shop for 1500 installed with factory gears in the rear an...
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Figured I would chime in since I did the exact same swap a year ago. (I also had a LS diff installed.) Mine is a 2000 2wd V10 with stock tire size. I tow about 7 K loaded.
With the 3.73 gears, it would downshift to 3rd on any hill, especially below 65. With the 4.30 gears, it will stay in OD most of the time, even at 55-60. On a 2 lane 55 MPH road, I used to lock out OD with the 3.73's since it was always hunting gears. Now, it stays in OD very comfortably. We took the trailer to Yellowstone last summer, and it handled everything that area could throw at it with ease.
It's a markedly improved towing experience and I have no doubt much less wear and tear on the transmission. It's also much more responsive not towing.
I lost about .5 MPG highway non-towing. Towing mileage is about the same as before. (8-9 usually and up to 10 if I try very hard and stay @ 55)
Maintaining speed was never the issue with 3.73's, I just didn't like spending so much time in 3rd gear. Yes, it's money I won't recoup, but it was still worth it IMHO. Mine is a dedicated TV I plan to keep for a while. (clean southern truck that hibernates every winter in the garage.)
Just as an aside to those not familiar with the Excursion...... V10 Excursion's came with either 3.73 or 4.30. 4.10 was only used in the 5.4 Excursion. All diesel Excursions were 3.73. The 4R100 transmission does not have a driver selectable tow-haul mode, though you can lock out OD. The Excursion never got the 3V engine, nor the 5R110 (except the 6.0 diesel).
With the 3.73 gears, it would downshift to 3rd on any hill, especially below 65. With the 4.30 gears, it will stay in OD most of the time, even at 55-60. On a 2 lane 55 MPH road, I used to lock out OD with the 3.73's since it was always hunting gears. Now, it stays in OD very comfortably. We took the trailer to Yellowstone last summer, and it handled everything that area could throw at it with ease.
It's a markedly improved towing experience and I have no doubt much less wear and tear on the transmission. It's also much more responsive not towing.
I lost about .5 MPG highway non-towing. Towing mileage is about the same as before. (8-9 usually and up to 10 if I try very hard and stay @ 55)
Maintaining speed was never the issue with 3.73's, I just didn't like spending so much time in 3rd gear. Yes, it's money I won't recoup, but it was still worth it IMHO. Mine is a dedicated TV I plan to keep for a while. (clean southern truck that hibernates every winter in the garage.)
Just as an aside to those not familiar with the Excursion...... V10 Excursion's came with either 3.73 or 4.30. 4.10 was only used in the 5.4 Excursion. All diesel Excursions were 3.73. The 4R100 transmission does not have a driver selectable tow-haul mode, though you can lock out OD. The Excursion never got the 3V engine, nor the 5R110 (except the 6.0 diesel).
