How hard and expensive is it to change from 3.55 to 3.73 on Ford F150?

[Minivan Man]

The one that has all other options I want has 3.55s, and the truck would be as slow as the minivan. Seriously. It really needs 3.73s. Does anyone have any experience swapping them out? Do you need a converter, or do you reprogram the ECU? How much parts and labor would I expect for the changeout?

PS 4x2

[ROGUE GTS]

Do the new trucks still have the 8.8" rear end? Gears shouldn't run more than $200-250, won't need bearings or seals. $15 in diff lube and limited slip additive, labor is completely shop dependant. I've seen them done on 8.8's by a good mustang shop for $175, up to $350 in labor.

As for the speedo, not sure how they are setup on the new trucks, the 97-03? had a gear on the sensor you could change to correct them.

Why not just have the dealer swap the gears, and/or whole rear axle for the setup you want? Droping another $600 on a $50 upgrade is kinda silly unless your already getting an awesome deal.

[Minivan Man]

Dealer won't do it. Don't know why.

[ROGUE GTS]

Lazy falkers prob don't want to deal with the brakes and what not.

Maybe see if they will knock $500 off the price for the trouble?

Why only go to 3.73 tho? If your going to do a gear swap might as well get 3.91 or 4.10's in it.

[Minivan Man]

Would that destroy gas mileage?

[ROGUE GTS]

Will likely improve around town, and shouldn't be much worse on the fwy.

Just a guesstimate, but I think the ford AOD has a .70 OD, and right around a 31.5" tall tire stock.

So figure stock gearing at 70mph will put you around 1850rpm
4.10 would be just a little over 2100.

Even with the 4.10 thats still a fairly low rpm for 70mph, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Have seen more than a couple guys pushing near 3k @ 70mph and its still tolerable.

[GTS Dean]

Just buy it and drive it. Why do you want to start off with gears instead of simple bolt-ons?