3.55 gear swap?

[bobbyc03]

Hi,
I love my work truck, except that it sees about 50/50 mix highway and gravel steep roads... and it doesn't have a LSD in the rear. It's an auto 3.73 4x4 f250 reg cab long bed. I guess I'm lazy and don't want to always have to throw it in 4x4 mode/lock the hubs on the gravel roads... I think a LSD would get me up the hills in 2wd.

I've read that the ford LSD wears out quick, and that perhaps it's not so bad that it doesn't have the ford LSD in it. I kinda wish it did, since it's only a $300 option on the window sticker.

So, I'm seriously considering getting an aftermarket LSD. I'd love to also go to the 3.55 gearing, since i'm looking for a little lower revs at highway speed. Of course that would be more $$$ since I have to do the front and rear since it's a 4x4.

What do you guys think? If I go forward with the ratio change at the same time as the LSD, does the truck have to go to the dealer to tell the PCM that it is 3.55 gearing now (will the shift points get messed up?)

Thanks,
Bob C

[CaptSkup]

Swapping gears in both pumpkins could cost $2,000-$2500 easily plus the cost of the locker. Sure can buy a lot of fuel for that. Are you really sure you want to go with 3.55s? If you tow much, you will soon miss those 3.73s. Having a quality locker installed in the rear should not be much more than $1,000-$1500 parts and labor.

[bobbyc03]

Wow, thanks for the info.

I'll keep hopping and and manually locking the hubs on the gravel/dirt. I had no idea it'd cost that much just for the LSD.

I wish I was there when we purchased this work truck... $300 for a LSD from the factory.... makes me mad!

Thanks again,
Bob C