Ford Owners Please Help!

[LMagelitz]

After 5 months I punted on my Chevy 3500 High Country Dually order, since I still can’t get any assurance of a build timeframe, or certainty on what options they can piece together. I’m going to be a first-time-ever Ford owner with an F-350 Dually long bed 6.7 diesel 10 speed Platinum. The question is Ford has four axle ratios…3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.30.

We will pull a 310GK-R, primarily out West, and in the mountains.
Which do I choose??

Thanks!

[traveldawg]

I've got a 2018 with a 3:55 electronic locker. I have a 2022 on order with same. BUT - mine are SRW.

It looks like Ford's build site picks a 3:55 non-limited rear. I don't know the diff between a non-limited and limited.

Maybe somewhere can help, but I find that there is good info over on the Ford Enthusiasts form here is one such discussion.

Nice choice of trucks. I'm on my third going on my forth. This time I'm going with the King Ranch. I ordered it at the end of October, still waiting for build date. Dealer thinks I should hear something in early Feb.

[LMagelitz]

Thanks Larry, I’ll check that out.
I would have liked to have gone with an F-450, but they capped the GVWR on that truck such that the payload capacity is 1200lbs less than an F-350. With the genny I want to get + aux fuel tank, I would be close to the max. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about that, but…

[CoChris]

After 5 months I punted on my Chevy 3500 High Country Dually order, since I still can’t get any assurance of a build timeframe, or certainty on what options they can piece together. I’m going to be a first-time-ever Ford owner with an F-350 Dually long bed 6.7 diesel 10 speed Platinum. The question is Ford has four axle ratios…3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.30.

We will pull a 310GK-R, primarily out West, and in the mountains.
Which do I choose??

Thanks!

Not all rear end ratios are available with all engines and series (SRW, DRW, F350, F450, etc). Google the year and "Ford super duty towing guide" or "ford super duty options list" and search for one of the ratios. This is what I got from the 2022 Ford brochure



The 2022 6.7L F350 DRW only offers the 3:55 & 4.10 rear end rations. The F450 (which has a much better minimum turning radius) only comes in a 4.30 rear end ration. The 3.73 rear end is only for gas engines. Bear in mind that rolling diameter of the rear tires will affect the total (effective) gear ratio.

That being said, I pull my 310GK with 3.55 ratio SRW with no problems. I also have stock size 18" rims. This is roughly equivalent to 3.74 rear end with stock 17" tires on a Ford dually. I live in, and pull all over, the Rocky Mountains. A newer 10 speed would do even better. With a diesel, unless you are pulling a much heavier trailer then a 310GK, I would go with the 3:55 rear end. Your engine RPMs will be lower than 4.10 (for the same speed and gear selection) and your fuel mileage will be higher (both towing and empty).

I do not know if this is still true, but in 2017, the Single Rear Wheel (SRW) trucks had the option of an electronic rear locker (pull a knob in the cab and it locks the two rear wheels together) in low speed conditions. The Dual rear Wheel (DRW) trucks had the option(?) of a limited slip rear end (a mechanical device that -as the name says - would limit the maximum slip between the rear wheels). No manual control on the limited slip. They work differently, and have different pros and cons, but basically address similar problems.

These are my opinions. hope this helps.

Chris

[sirtate]

With the 10speed, go with the 3.55.
When you calculate the overall gear ratio of 1st gear (the gear that gets you rolling) you find that it is similar to the 1st gear of the former 6speed with the 4.30 rear end.

It really does give you the best of both worlds, enough grunt to get rolling at max weights in San Francisco, and a tall enough final drive to cruise at under 1800rpm at 70mph on a flat interstate.

As far as the locking differential, it keeps both rear wheels turning at the same speed no matter what. (It makes turning difficult on dry pavement)

It's handy to have when your trying to back up an incline on wet grass with the trailer. (Or my driveway in the snow)

It doesn't weigh much, and you just push a button on the dash to engage it. It turns itself off at 15mph or so...
I would spec it again...

Sent from my LM-G900 using Tapatalk

[SolarPoweredRV]

With the 10speed, go with the 3.55.
When you calculate the overall gear ratio of 1st gear (the gear that gets you rolling) you find that it is similar to the 1st gear of the former 6speed with the 4.30 rear end.

I pull a 310 GK with a F350 Diesel Dually, the 3:55 rear end is more than adequate with my 6-speed transmission. The pulling power could only be better with the 10-speed transmission.

PS: I would recommend you look into the Reese GooseBox hitch, we have it and really LOVE it !!!

PPS: Congrats on the new truck !!!

[WeirdAl]

After 5 months I punted on my Chevy 3500 High Country Dually order, since I still can’t get any assurance of a build timeframe, or certainty on what options they can piece together. I’m going to be a first-time-ever Ford owner with an F-350 Dually long bed 6.7 diesel 10 speed Platinum. The question is Ford has four axle ratios…3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.30.

We will pull a 310GK-R, primarily out West, and in the mountains.
Which do I choose??

Thanks!

I don't have experience towing out West, we are nearer to you in Michigan. But I have an F350 XLT DRW 6.7L Long Bed with a 3:55 axle. I have no issue with anything around here. I think the 10 speed really helps.
Oh, and I also tow a 310GK.
As an aside (keep in mind I have an XLT trim level) every time I read about people going with a light weight hitch setup (either goose neck or AUH or something similar weight wise) I really wonder how their truck rides. For our truck, I always carry 6 40# bags of water softener salt, and a B&W Companion 25K hitch, and a predator generator. In fact, to smooth out the ride even MORE we are getting more salt tomorrow, lol!! I want to make clear, I am in no way dismissing those hitch alternatives, they all seem fantastic ways to go.
We do have a giant dog that has a wonky stomach, and Michigan roads are TERRIBLE, so we are always kind of sensitive to the ride quality.
Good luck with your decision, I have owned Chevy trucks and loved them, just stumbled onto the Ford when I needed a DRW.

[Jerryr]

After 5 months I punted on my Chevy 3500 High Country Dually order, since I still can’t get any assurance of a build timeframe, or certainty on what options they can piece together. I’m going to be a first-time-ever Ford owner with an F-350 Dually long bed 6.7 diesel 10 speed Platinum. The question is Ford has four axle ratios…3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.30.

We will pull a 310GK-R, primarily out West, and in the mountains.
Which do I choose??

Thanks!

Ford dually orders are taking 6 months if ordered now.
If ordering Granger Ford in IA https://www.grangerford.com/ will order for 2% below invoice and Chapman Ford in PA will order at 4% below invoice. https://www.chapmanfordhorsham.com/

[LMagelitz]

I don't have experience towing out West, we are nearer to you in Michigan. But I have an F350 XLT DRW 6.7L Long Bed with a 3:55 axle. I have no issue with anything around here. I think the 10 speed really helps.
Oh, and I also tow a 310GK.
As an aside (keep in mind I have an XLT trim level) every time I read about people going with a light weight hitch setup (either goose neck or AUH or something similar weight wise) I really wonder how their truck rides. For our truck, I always carry 6 40# bags of water softener salt, and a B&W Companion 25K hitch, and a predator generator. In fact, to smooth out the ride even MORE we are getting more salt tomorrow, lol!! I want to make clear, I am in no way dismissing those hitch alternatives, they all seem fantastic ways to go.
We do have a giant dog that has a wonky stomach, and Michigan roads are TERRIBLE, so we are always kind of sensitive to the ride quality.
Good luck with your decision, I have owned Chevy trucks and loved them, just stumbled onto the Ford when I needed a DRW.

I think I have a universal “use the 3.55”. This forum is great for getting feedback from people with the experience. Thanks to all!

I’m with you on roads…IL is pretty pathetic as well (as you probably know). I’m gonna go with a standard 5th wheel hitch to start out.

[Keebler]

Thanks Larry, I’ll check that out.
I would have liked to have gone with an F-450, but they capped the GVWR on that truck such that the payload capacity is 1200lbs less than an F-350. With the genny I want to get + aux fuel tank, I would be close to the max. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about that, but…

You should NOT worry about that. This is a political issue, not an engineering issue. In some states, trucks are more expensive to register and insure depending on their listed capacity. Anything 'listed' over a certain capacity may require you to register the truck as a commercial vehicle, at more expense to you.

The 450 is a heavier vehicle; to keep the GRVW under the magic number; Ford lists it with a lower payload capacity. Again, this has zero to do with engineering; the F450 will easily pull anything GD makes.

As you can see in my signature, I have an F350 dually; great truck. It will also pull anything GD makes. My advice to you is test drive both and pay attention to the turning radius. On that issue alone, I would choose the 450 if I were to do it over again.