F250 with 3.55:1 rear?

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

Crazy statement to make. Why does Ford offer with their diesel 3/4 ton pickup trucks gears of 3.31 and 3.55, while providing 3.73 and 4.30 gears for their 1-ton trucks? It is because the lower gearing increases the towing capacity numbers for the F-350 trucks by 6500 lbs. with no need to change the trucks. The F-450 gains more towing capacity in large part due to its 4.30 gears.

No different for GM where only 3.73 gears are provided with their 2500/3500 diesel pickups. With gas V-8 powered trucks the 4.10 geared trucks gain 25% more towing capacity over identical trucks with the 3.73 gears.

Ford is the worst at putting tall gears on its pickup trucks to gain better numbers for the CAFE standards at the expense of its customers. My GM 2500HD Duramax has a tow rating that is 3500 lbs. greater than that of the diesel powered F-250 truck and the difference is the gears provided by the two manufacturers.

Lynnmor wrote:

2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

You said this (above). Which was not true. If you have 18" wheels then yes, 3.55 is better
'Nuff said..........

johndeerefarmer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

johndeerefarmer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

Not true. The 3.31 and 3.55 are rated identically on towing capacity.

The 20" wheels come with 3.55 but because the tires are taller than the 18" that have the 3.31 you effectively have the same rear end. This is why if you look in the brochure the towing capacity for the 3.55 is no higher than the 3.31.
The only difference between the two would probably be the weight of the tires. If the 20" tires weigh more, you might get slightly less fuel economy.

No need to muddy the waters, 3.55 is better than 3.31, period.

No mud here, just facts. With identical wheels and tires, 3.55 will deliver better towing capability. since that is not the case with Ford's configuration, your statement is false.

More mud! I have the 3.55 with 18" wheels, from new. 3.55 is better and is the best available from Ford with the F250 diesel. Give it up! My statement is correct.

Lynnmor wrote:

johndeerefarmer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

Not true. The 3.31 and 3.55 are rated identically on towing capacity.

The 20" wheels come with 3.55 but because the tires are taller than the 18" that have the 3.31 you effectively have the same rear end. This is why if you look in the brochure the towing capacity for the 3.55 is no higher than the 3.31.
The only difference between the two would probably be the weight of the tires. If the 20" tires weigh more, you might get slightly less fuel economy.

No need to muddy the waters, 3.55 is better than 3.31, period.

No mud here, just facts. With identical wheels and tires, 3.55 will deliver better towing capability. since that is not the case with Ford's configuration, your statement is false.

Lynnmor wrote:

johndeerefarmer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

Not true. The 3.31 and 3.55 are rated identically on towing capacity.

The 20" wheels come with 3.55 but because the tires are taller than the 18" that have the 3.31 you effectively have the same rear end. This is why if you look in the brochure the towing capacity for the 3.55 is no higher than the 3.31.
The only difference between the two would probably be the weight of the tires. If the 20" tires weigh more, you might get slightly less fuel economy.

No need to muddy the waters, 3.55 is better than 3.31, period.

.

THere is no muddying the waters with his quote, both rigs will have the same speed shift points, both will be going the same speed at a given rpm etc. A rig with 3.42 gears and 28' diam tires, is also going to have the same performance as a rig with a 3.73/30" combo, which is the same as a 4.10/33" combo. The only real issue as noted, is the heavier the tires, the worst the mpg, or if one set of tires is wider, also worst mpg. Hence why sometimes one needs to go to the next lower ratio when upsizing tires, to get a few more rpm to handle the heavier wt of the tires.

Also, rig with 4.10's using a .75 od is doing the same rpm, same maybe a bit less hp to the ground than a rig in direct with 3.08's. assuming everything else is equal.

more than one way to skin a cat in how to gear vs not gear a rig etc.

Marty

johndeerefarmer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

Not true. The 3.31 and 3.55 are rated identically on towing capacity.

The 20" wheels come with 3.55 but because the tires are taller than the 18" that have the 3.31 you effectively have the same rear end. This is why if you look in the brochure the towing capacity for the 3.55 is no higher than the 3.31.
The only difference between the two would probably be the weight of the tires. If the 20" tires weigh more, you might get slightly less fuel economy.

No need to muddy the waters, 3.55 is better than 3.31, period.

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

Not true. The 3.31 and 3.55 are rated identically on towing capacity.

The 20" wheels come with 3.55 but because the tires are taller than the 18" that have the 3.31 you effectively have the same rear end. This is why if you look in the brochure the towing capacity for the 3.55 is no higher than the 3.31.
The only difference between the two would probably be the weight of the tires. If the 20" tires weigh more, you might get slightly less fuel economy.

I'm guessing it has something to do with a naturally aspirated motor? I've driven the continental divide with my F-150 and a lot of payload (5.4 motor with 3.73 rear end). even with nothing in tow, it struggled. You would have a similar effect for any naturally aspirated motor whether it is in a light duty or heavy duty pickup. OP, have you considered trying an ecoboost? I'm sure you would get much more performance at that altitude with a forced induction motor. I just ended up with a RAM 3500 for 2 reasons. Trailers I liked would had pushed my 2010 F-150 beyond its payload capacity. The second reason was because I was able to secure my RAM for $4k less than my original purchase price for my 2010 F-150. So I figure why not get the ultimate tow rig for myself and not worry about payload for the class of RV I'm interested in.

G'luck with any choice you make.

zuikowarrior wrote:
After the last trip over the Continental Divide, I've admitted my F150 is not enough truck. Towing 5100 lb dry bumper tow trailer. I found a very attractive 2011 F250 but it has the 3.55 rear end instead of the 3.73:1. Anyone have experience with this rear end ratio? Probably have to decide quickly.

Unless it is a 4WD, have you considered just having the gears changed in the rear end? Having to change 2 rear ends could possibly not be cost effective. When I had a 150 it had 3.42 gears. Had it changed to 3.90 Sure woke it up and didn't really effect the mileage much.

Lynnmor wrote:
2011 F250 diesel had 3.55 with 20" wheels or optional on others. All others had 3.31. So 3.55 is the best available for pulling power.

I have a 2011 F-250 6.7 with 3.55 gears. I have absolutely no issue pulling my unit it overdrive. If I keep my speed to 60 mph I can run an average of 11.5 to 12 mpg. Effortlessly. Simply an amazing truck.