V-10 4.30 vs 3.73 - Diesel Forum

Darrell A · 10-10-2001, 01:13 PM

I'm going to be buying a F-250 cc 4x4 lb V10 Auto in a few weeks. I'm probably going to buy a 2001 because of $$. Most dealers trucks around here only have the 3.73 gears in them. I'll be towing a 7000lb horse trailer occasionally and putting 33's on it. All I want to be able to do is pull this trailer w/out it shifting in and out of overdrive. Will I need the 4.30's?? Thanks in advance.
Darrell Albery

Fritzmaster · 10-10-2001, 02:23 PM

Yes. 3.73s with bigger tires and hills will instantly make you wish you had a 4.30 rear end.

dan4x4 · 10-10-2001, 02:49 PM

Ditto what Friztmaster said!

I have the 3.73s and would much rather have the 4.30s. The 4.30 will give you better acceleration and much better towing ability in hilly and mountainous regions as well. The 4.30s seem to do a lot better work with out drinking much more fuel.

Dan

tomslo · 10-10-2001, 03:45 PM

Go with the 4.30's. You won't regret them. The overdrive is tall enough that you won't even notice the gears. I have had my truck for a month and the 4.30's don't even seem low at all.

The v10 can handle it.

Tom

Darrell A · 10-10-2001, 09:53 PM

Thanks Guys,
That's what I needed to know. It'll be harder to find in stock but sounds like well worth it.
Besides if the gears are too high that means I just need bigger tires(-: The wife will love that.
Darrell Albery

spoon · 10-11-2001, 10:00 AM

After a year driving the 3.73s, I have to agree the 4.30 gearing would come in handy, when towing.

Rudy1 · 10-11-2001, 01:06 PM

4:30's are the best way to go! I went with them because of the larger tires as well. [img]graemlins/warmimages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Darrell A · 10-11-2001, 06:45 PM

Rudy 1,
Great looking truck!! Did you have to lift that to fit the 315's under it? Did those tires hurt your gas mileage? Thanks,
Darrell Albery

sloans4x4 · 10-11-2001, 08:25 PM

Get the 4:30s and if you decide you don't like em, I'll swap ya for my 4:10s [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] I really want 4:56s do to wanting to run a 35" tire.

350R · 10-12-2001, 12:00 AM

I have the 4:30's as well, in the high altitude they work realy well. I went to the 255x85x16 which makes for an overall ratio of 4:10. In the mountains of Co. you won't want any more, unless you don't mind being passed.

Rudy1 · 10-12-2001, 04:45 PM

Thanks Darrell! Yea, I did lift it but only with a leveling kit up front and some factory F-350 blocks in the rear. The drivers side tire rubs a little on the inner plasic fender, no big deal. [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
I don't know if the tires hurt the milage because I only put 35 miles on the truck before I made a visit to the local off-road shop! It only gets about 9 in the city and 13 on the highway.

302 LX Eric · 10-12-2001, 04:57 PM

What would be the difference of 3.73's vs. 4.30's given a stock tire setup at cruising speeds of 65-70mph?

Thanks in advance,
E

SpOOk · 10-12-2001, 08:43 PM

Is anyone with the 4:30's here running 315 x 75 x 16's? I think these are equal to 35's? Anyway my question is will the ratio with this size tire be close to the 3:73's?

Would this be a good setup to go with and do you think that they will fit properly with out a lift?

I ordered the snow plow package which is supposed to have the X springs. Thanks !

Troutly · 10-13-2001, 02:51 AM

Eric,

I read where someone posted his RPM with automatic in overdrive at 65MPH was 1800 with 3.73's. He then chaged to 4.30's and it went up to 2100 RPM.

Stan Wright · 10-13-2001, 11:51 AM

Spook - For a rough estimate, and assuming the stock tires are 31":

31/35 X 4.30 = ~3.80

So (numerically) 35" tires and 4.30 gears are similar to stock tires and 3.73 gears.