Gear Ratio On 4x4 F100

[ford4x4fun]

OK Gents,

Here is what I have going on. My rearend is a 3.25 gear ratio truck. The motor really likes this gear. Before I swapped out it was a 4.11 or something like that, and the truck was real jerky and just didn't like that gear ratio as much. Now I am trying to get the front end to match but I can't get 3.25 for the Dana 44 front end. The closest I can get is 3.31 which if I am reading right, will make the front end pull a little harder than the rear end. This will work for what I am going to use the truck for but wanted to get opinions before I went this route. Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[averagef250]

Are you sure? Haven't seen 3.31's for a HP 44, seems like a low pinion ratio to me, but they did make a bunch of 3.07's for the HP's.

Having a lower gear in the front than the rear is the opposite of what's considered acceptable, but I've never heard of anyone doing it. I've run 3.54 rear with 3.50 front and it was fine offroad or snow, but not something you should go down the freeway on a dry day with the hubs locked.

What you're proposing would have the rear pushing the front which could have the potential to be sketchy at times.

[ford4x4fun]

Thanks for the advice. I think I have decided to go with a 3.55 rear with a 3.54 front. That is the closest I can get with the two different axle's.

[averagef250]

That's perfect.

[GIJoe4500]

You should be able to EASILY find those gears in a junkyard axle to pull. Sometimes swapping entire front axles out ends up being the cheaper way to change gears. a d44 front with 3.50s is pretty damn common. And for the rear, you can just swap out 3rd members in the 9". Piece of cake.