3.73 vs 4.30 ls

[alpar]

NoMo did'nt your last truck have 4.30s?
How do you like the new 3.73s?
Anybody else have an opinion?
I only tow a fairly light boat and feel the 3.73LS would be better all around ratio for me. Especially in non towing situations. [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

[Micah Clark]

You are probably right about the 3.73's. I have a 5.4 with 3.73's and I recently towed a fairly small boat (16 ft fiberglass V hull w/ 80 hp outboard) for about 300 miles. The truck did fine and I had to go up some fairly big hills. I had to use fourth gear some but not very often.

The 4.10's might be a happy medium for you if you're concerned about it. I would have probably got the 4.10's myself but I bought the truck off the lot and got a super deal. I assume the 4.10's are available with the V-10.

Just my 2 cents.

-Micah

[V10 man]

V8 gets the 3.73 or 4.10 option
V10 gets the 3.73 or 4.30 option.

[sloans4x4]

I have a set of 3:73 for sale. Looking to get $100 for em. They are from a friends truck. I have the 5.4L with 4:10LS in mine and it does fine pulling my 18' IMP with an inboard 4.3 V6.

[UTAH]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by alpar:
I only tow a fairly light boat and feel the 3.73LS would be better all around ratio for me.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. Get the 4.30s only if you're regularly towing at the upper end of the tow limits. I'd say different if you had the 5.4 engine, but that V10 w/auto can easily do it.

Best to y'all [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[NoMo]

Hi! Sorry about the delay, I've been at the lake for the past 9 days. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

My '00 F250 extended cab shortbed had 4.30s. My '01 F350 crew cab long bed has 3.73s. So, I went to a noticeably heavier truck and got higher gears. Throw in the effects of the larger tires, and I just keep going in the wrong directions. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Around town and running empty, the 3.73s are fine. I get about the same mileage as I did with the F250- despite the weight penalty.

When towing my 7000# 5th-wheel, I really wish I had the 4.30s. This truck pulls great- just not enough RPMS in OD to get into the "power zone" of the engine. With the 4.30s, the engine revved so high that towing in OD was just about right.

I made my choice based on the amount of towing that I do. Basically, I'm a weekend RV'er with over 90% of my driving being empty. So, the higher gears were a more logical choice for me.

[camperguy]

I just returned to Colorado from a 1800 mile trip to Yellowstone. I have the V10 with 4.30 rear end and a 4000# Hallmark camper. I'm glad I don't have the 3.73 since the V10 won't pull this load in OD unless it's flat or downhill! Another 20% on the gear ratio would make the OD totally useless. The cruise control won't keep it in OD very well. At the first sign of an uphill grade it shifts out of OD and pretty much stays there! Won't "lug" at all. Looks like the gas mileage for the complete trip is about 10.2 mpg which is about what my '92 460 did.
This trip confirmed my prior analysis...the captains chairs suck...no lumbar adjustment.

[alpar]

Thanks camperguy
I think I agree with you. First gear is a little tight around town but I think the 4:30s are worth it on lon grades and climbning while towing. Hate the loss of RPM between 2nd and third gear shifts. It must be worse with them 3:73s? [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[Harald]

I only haul a 4000 lb Alpenlite camper, but it does provide some serious wind resistance at 11 feet tall by 8 feet wide. I got the 4.30's and am real glad when I'm hauling the camper in the mountains. I also like the gears around town because they help get that 7300 lb truck moving from a stop. I hate vehicle that can't drag race from a stoplight!

[Foghorn]

I agree with NOMO! If you're pulling a lot of weight all the time get the 4.30's. I have the 3.73's and am very pleased with them. I average 14mpg almost every tank [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] If I do tow it's never over over 2500lbs.