My F-450

[spydergym]

I have a question I have a F-450 2008 with a 4:88 rear how or who or if I can get it replaced for a 4:30 rear if you could advice me please and if you have an idea how much will it cost thank you.

 

[Blue Goose]

Spydergym,
First, welcome to the site. We have many Ford techs on here that before long might be able to answer your question. One thing that might have some bearing on your answer is your geographical location.

 

[tomtoc]

also, is it a 4x2 or 4x4? 4x4 will obviously be double the cost

 

[Blue Goose]

Oh geeze Tom, good point. That went right by me...

 

[spydergym]

Thank you for welcoming me I have never done this forum thing before but I will give it a try hope I could learn from you guys thanks.Anyways it is a 4x4 and only have 4000 miles on it Iam looking to get a little better mpg right now am getting 8mpg just added a hypertech programmer exhaust magnaflow and intake but only got a couple I usually pull A 5th wheel trailer it weights 11000 pounds so I know the 4:88 gears are an overkill.

 

[Skandocious]

What size tires are you running? Pulling 11,000lbs COULD warrant the need for those low 4.88 gears. You have to factor in the huge weight of the truck and also the size of your tires too. You might be able to bring your gas mileage up a bit when unloaded but my bet is that it'll DECREASE when you are pulling weight.

You also need to take into account that there is somewhat of a sweet-spot with gearing. Gear ratio is NOT directly proportional to gas mileage, as some people think. I wrote more about this on this thread, post #7:

http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=45636&highlight=sweet+spot#post45636


Also keep in mind that, as Tom said, since your truck is 4wd it's going to cost twice as much for a gear swap. You cannot swap just the rear gears, or else when you put the truck in 4wd you will be spinning your rear axle at a different rate from your front, causing binding/breakage. So in a 4wd vehicle you ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have to gear the axles alike.

 

[d-kuzmen]

I just looked up MY price on a set of Ford 4:30's are you sitting down? $1700, now thats just in parts.!! WOW.....

 

[Skandocious]

I just looked up MY price on a set of Ford 4:30's are you sitting down? $1700, now thats just in parts.!! WOW.....

Whoa!!! Is that just because of the heavy axles hes got in that truck? Typical price for a ring and pinion is around $200-500 (depending on quality).

 

[Blue Goose]

Thank you for welcoming me I have never done this forum thing before but I will give it a try hope I could learn from you guys thanks.Anyways it is a 4x4 and only have 4000 miles on it Iam looking to get a little better mpg right now am getting 8mpg just added a hypertech programmer exhaust magnaflow and intake but only got a couple I usually pull A 5th wheel trailer it weights 11000 pounds so I know the 4:88 gears are an overkill.

spydergym,
Is your truck a job 1 or job 2? On job 2 Ford included a larger front air dam to give the truck a bit of a better aero profile for fuel economy. Job 3 trucks they did what you're contemplating and went with taller gearing dropping the 4:88 option in lieu of 4:30 gears.

Read this...
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=41191&postcount=1

 

[eco]

Thank you for welcoming me I have never done this forum thing before but I will give it a try hope I could learn from you guys thanks.Anyways it is a 4x4 and only have 4000 miles on it Iam looking to get a little better mpg right now am getting 8mpg just added a hypertech programmer exhaust magnaflow and intake but only got a couple I usually pull A 5th wheel trailer it weights 11000 pounds so I know the 4:88 gears are an overkill.

When pulling big loads numerically high gear ratios are a good thing.

With this big of a rig and pulling that kind of a load, expecting good fuel economy is not viable.

 

[d-kuzmen]

I just looked up MY price on a set of Ford 4:30's are you sitting down? $1700, now thats just in parts.!! WOW.....

By the way that was for one axle. Didn't check the price on the front set. Mabe you should think about changing tire size it mabe cheaper.