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View Full Version : The Chadnutzification of my Ford



DRAGOONRANCH
02-14-2007, 01:00 AM
I have been unhappy with the performance from the Ford for sometime now, but I think I have the cure-all for it. It has 4.10's in it right now, and I want to raise that to 3.73. I called the service dept. at the dealership to see if they could do the swap so that it would not void the warranty and they said they don't have access to the 3.73's for it. He said that all I had to do was get the parts and they would install it so I am going to call up Randy's and see what they can do for me.


This should help with the fuel mileage and get the motor back in the power band while towing. This may all be a moot point if they come back with a good offer on an 07 chevy though. I tried to find an 06 with what I want, but had no luck. I sent the specs off for what I want, so we will see how this all turns out. :beer:

stx4wheeler
02-14-2007, 01:10 AM
why dont you take all of the crap off the ford and put stock sized tires on it, seems to be the cheapest option in my opinion

DRAGOONRANCH
02-14-2007, 01:17 AM
Thats already been done. The chip has been out since the last bit of head work was done. It will stay off untill the warranty is out for sure. I didn't like the way it pulled when it was bone stock. It was always screaming running down the highway. I have been pulling stock trailers to livestock shows for a while.

JeepPhisherman
02-14-2007, 01:51 PM
I think if you removed eric you would get better mileage.

jerryg79
02-14-2007, 01:58 PM
In order for this to be a chadnutzification, you will need alot more erroneous math calculations.

Fredo
02-14-2007, 02:04 PM
and don't listen to any of the advice given to you.....then you and I must get into an argument. :flipoff2: :D

TxCruzr
02-14-2007, 02:41 PM
I thought you were going to burn it and get a chevy?

AggieTJ2007
02-14-2007, 02:42 PM
I think the 3.73's would be great, might have to pull a little slower but you will get better gas mileage by dropping the RPM's

DRAGOONRANCH
02-14-2007, 03:50 PM
I think if you removed eric you would get better mileage.


touche.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-14-2007, 04:02 PM
In order for this to be a chadnutzification, you will need alot more erroneous math calculations.


This is too easy, I can whip up plenty of x's and y's for ya. :D



and don't listen to any of the advice given to you.....then you and I must get into an argument. :flipoff2: :D

I can be hard headed, but don't know if I am up to that level yet. We can take the argument up in Clayton next year and see if we can't take out a wall or two. :flipoff2:

DRAGOONRANCH
02-14-2007, 04:14 PM
I thought you were going to burn it and get a chevy?


I am waiting on the numbers to come back on the chevy. The dealership I am going through just got bought out and they are waiting for the paper work to clear general motors. Until then, they can not order any vehicles. :confused: This should be done by Friday hopefully so that they can get it on order and have it delivered before the 14th of April if this is the way I go. I am not looking forward to too many more payments though, I want to secure an exit plan from here before too long though. :gigem:

DRAGOONRANCH
02-14-2007, 04:18 PM
I think the 3.73's would be great, might have to pull a little slower but you will get better gas mileage by dropping the RPM's

I have pulled enough to know that at highway speeds it is not where it needs to be. Regearing would be the most economical solution to this for now. I just need to figure out what axles I have. I figure randy's will know when I get around to calling them.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 03:00 PM
Just got off the phone with Randy's and looks to be about 1050 for parts to the door. The carrier break in the D80 is the 3.73/410, so the 3.73's would be the "thin gear" version. For all you axle guru's, is this going to be a problem?

Oh, the above price includes about 400 for master overhaul kits, are these completely necessary? I don't mind doing it right, but no need in wasting money.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 03:08 PM
Now for the eroneous math, how long will it take to make up the possibbly 15 franklins its going to take to do this (with labor).

Possible added 2 mpg.

@ 2.30 a gallon, each mile at the old mpg (11) is $0.209, each mile at the new mpg (14) will be $0.164 giving a savings of $0.045 a mile. So that takes 33,333 miles to make this add up. Boy does this look like **** on paper. I figure that this money could well be better spent on a swanky hotel and some "comercial compay" in Dubai or Amsterdam. ;)

colman
02-15-2007, 03:20 PM
if i'm reading that right that means that you are going to have to change the carrier? is that why its so expensive, MIGHT be cheaper to swap in another axle with the gears that you want

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 03:27 PM
No, that is with "thin" 3.73 gears for the 4.10 carrier. The front gears are 360 with 150 overhaul kit, the rear is 273 with 250 overhaul kit. I am figuring about 500 in labor from the dealership so I don't void the warranty.

CheapJeep
02-15-2007, 03:32 PM
Just my opinion but all that extra cost for a temporary fix doesn't seem worth it. I mean you're wanting to buy a DMax so why not wait until you find the right one and save the money putting it towards that.

Sharpe
02-15-2007, 03:39 PM
$500 for a dealership instal is a little on the low side. Every non-dealership place that I've seen install gears charges around $300 per axle, and I can only see a stealership being steeper.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 03:44 PM
Just my opinion but all that extra cost for a temporary fix doesn't seem worth it. I mean you're wanting to buy a DMax so why not wait until you find the right one and save the money putting it towards that.


This is why I brought this up so that I can make light of the pro's and con's of it. I may just wait another year or just say to hell with it and not do anything till I get home for good. I am leaning towards the waiting till I get home right now. This option would get me home quicker anyways as it would allow me to put more money into the business end anyways.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 03:45 PM
$500 for a dealership instal is a little on the low side. Every non-dealership place that I've seen install gears charges around $300 per axle, and I can only see a stealership being steeper.


He said 4-600 so I went ballpark on it.

JeepPhisherman
02-15-2007, 03:49 PM
He said 4-600 so I went ballpark on it.

i wouldn't be suprised if that's 4-600 per axle

JeepPhisherman
02-15-2007, 03:50 PM
hell, 4wp quoted me 330, even with me dropping off a 3rd and all the necessary parts so they could just do it on the bench

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 03:57 PM
no, that was total.

TxCruzr
02-15-2007, 04:52 PM
With your calculations, unless you anticipate putting over 35k miles on it, then S K Roo that idea. You'll only be doing the next owner a favor.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 04:55 PM
If I keep it, I plan on putting well over 300K on it. ;)

Graystroke
02-15-2007, 06:05 PM
well if the dealer is doing it are they gonna want to put in non-OEM parts? most dealers warranty anything w/o OEM parts...even if it is the "same brand". I know a lot of "factory" parts are just repackaged parts.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 06:16 PM
well if the dealer is doing it are they gonna want to put in non-OEM parts? most dealers warranty anything w/o OEM parts...even if it is the "same brand". I know a lot of "factory" parts are just repackaged parts.

The service writer is the one that told me to find the parts since they didn't have access to the correct ones. I am assuming that that meant they would warranty it. I don't know what kind of warranty Randy's offers either though. If it ends up getting this far, I will make sure to cover my bases 100% before the work starts

Chadnutz
02-15-2007, 07:33 PM
If I drove the truck full time (which I don't anymore), then I would opt for a Stak case with 4.x:1, 1:1, 0.78:1. That would be taller than you want, but not quite as tall as my 3.08s were. It would be like having [erroneous math]3.20s[/erroneous math]. 4.10s are great for towing. You should be able to pull anything in 5th gear, and that is about the perfect range (2400-2600 rpm on the highway). When unloaded, you could be driving at much lower RPM. I only got 2 mpg out of going from 4.10 to 3.08, so don't expect 2 mpg with that small of a drop. The Stak case is $2600, and it will always retain salvage value (ie: someone will buy it from you at a loss on your end, but you're not out $2600)

TxCruzr
02-15-2007, 07:51 PM
So your going to spend an extra $1600, plus new drive shafts and that is going to justify gaining 2mpg how? I think a k&n and a tornado will do that for under $100. Yes it will keep its value rather well but is it enough to justify a whole 2 mpg? You can sell plasma once a week to pay for those 2 gallons and get a whataburger.

jerryg79
02-15-2007, 07:57 PM
If I drove the truck full time (which I don't anymore), then I would opt for a Stak case with 4.x:1, 1:1, 0.78:1. That would be taller than you want, but not quite as tall as my 3.08s were. It would be like having [erroneous math]3.20s[/erroneous math]. 4.10s are great for towing. You should be able to pull anything in 5th gear, and that is about the perfect range (2400-2600 rpm on the highway). When unloaded, you could be driving at much lower RPM. I only got 2 mpg out of going from 4.10 to 3.08, so don't expect 2 mpg with that small of a drop. The Stak case is $2600, and it will always retain salvage value (ie: someone will buy it from you at a loss on your end, but you're not out $2600)

That's twice I've called it today! I'm on a roll, and my 3rd shiner in a can :gigem:

DRAGOONRANCH
02-15-2007, 07:59 PM
In my personal opinion, the 3.08's are too tall for everyday driving. My grandfather has them in his 83 chevy and it kills that 350 trying to move it. I think you lost some due to being overgeared. If you have driven work trucks you know there is a big difference in the 3.73/4.10's, enough to give you 2mpg difference, possibly even more.

Chadnutz
02-15-2007, 08:30 PM
Please ride in my truck with me. Then you will understand. It's not just for 2 mpg, it's for noise, and I'm sure my truck is much less insulated than his. I can see the ground through screw holes in the floor. I have the work edition and I doubt if there is any insulation. I really should try Dynamat. And 3.08s weren't too tall. If my gf's Z71 can cruise around at 2000 RPM on the highway, then my diesel can. Your grandfather's 350 != a PSD. Even with 3.08s, I could probably out accelerate my Beretta on the HW 5th gear vs. 3rd gear. I made a video of "lugging" the diesel. I'll post the link after it uploads. Pay attention to the NOISE also, and then tell me your tow rig/daily driver is anywhere NEAR that noisy.

3.08s - 50 to 70 - http://tamor.us/members-rigs/Movies/Lugging_001

Graystroke
02-15-2007, 09:02 PM
just take the $2600 and make a down payment on a D-max

agjohn02
02-15-2007, 09:22 PM
why dont you just regear the rear axle, that is all you use driving down the road anyways. different gear ratios pull better in the mud anyhow. then you can see if it gains you anything. when you see that it didnt help a bit. you can ship your axle with new gears to wyoming and put a worn out one back in with the old gear ratio in it. that would be much cheaper than acheiving the same goal with a stak, but still cost you enough to justify your moron title.

TxCruzr
02-15-2007, 09:56 PM
My DD is a '69 fj-40 w/ 37s on beadlocks with no top and a thin piece of holy sheetmetal between me and the motor.
My DD's noise > Your DD's noise :flipoff2:

x2 what Grayson said

Chadnutz
02-15-2007, 10:23 PM
Or just buy a 4 banger than gets double the mileage on cheaper fuel and is quieter too!

TexTJ209
02-15-2007, 10:28 PM
Or just buy a 4 banger than gets double the mileage on cheaper fuel and is quieter too!


But then you have to buy a purse to match the engine.

william_ace
02-15-2007, 10:36 PM
no you dont. but dont expect to break any lightbulbs with it

TexTJ209
02-15-2007, 10:44 PM
no you dont. but dont expect to break any lightbulbs with it


<hijack>

I still find it awesome that a turn signal bulb dented your hood without cracking. And that was after you slammed the hood on the bulb twice....Kwality Nissan manufacturing right there.

</end hijack>

william_ace
02-16-2007, 12:54 AM
3 times

sasquatch
02-16-2007, 01:43 AM
i would only regear it if you knew you were going to keep it for a long while.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-16-2007, 08:26 AM
3.08s - 50 to 70 - http://tamor.us/members-rigs/Movies/Lugging_001


What year model is your truck?

william_ace
02-16-2007, 08:36 AM
i think its a 96 with the 5 speed.

DRAGOONRANCH
02-16-2007, 09:08 AM
Ok, I figured as much. Yeah, apples to oranges. :D

Chadnutz
02-16-2007, 10:18 AM
[Ladies Man]That is correct.[/Ladies Man]

I know they made improvements for sound deadening with your generation. I tried to upload a 20-70 mph with 4.10s, but I think it might have been too large at 22 or so MB. Plus I had the camera sitting the the steering wheel and I had to keep the truck going straight so you can only see the speedometer sometimes. It's gets to sound level across, however.