The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop rear end gears - one more time please

can i assume that i will get approximately 10 more mph if i replace the rear end gears in my 54 1/2 ton pickup with the 3.55 gears that are available in catalogs? (keeping original 3 speed tranny and torque tube etc)

http://www.quiknet.com/~ke6vut/rpmcalc.html

Put in all of your figures. It should help you figure out exactly what you will get for your $700 for the new gears and install kit.

I used it for tires.

I have a T-5 on the shelf and am thinking of doing a new driveline, but all of my stuff still works....so for now...I am not fixin it....

The 3.55 is a very good choice. That 235 won't work as hard at highway speeds. I did my 53 and now I can run on the highway at 60 or 65 without any problems.

I got a set of 3.55's from Patrick's way back when they came out (early '90's) and have been very happy with them. Good quality, good directions. Not cheap, but no complaints as I didn't expect something for nothing. I figured they added 7-8 mph at the same rpm. That may not seem like much, but the difference between 55 and 62-63 is more than you think. The cars don't disappear so fast when they burn by you on the interstate.

i know i am looking at a pretty good chunk of money but just not ready to start cutting her up for a sub job etc. but like you all said i would like to get on down the road a little bit without the motor sounding like it is going to jump out from under the hood and 60-65 is lot better than 50-55. thanks again! hope you all have a great holiday season!

No you will not. The rear end gearing of the the half ton up to 54 is 4.10 and there the difference from going to 3.55 is about 10mph. But, the 54 already has 3.90 and the difference is going to be less.

I have the Patric's gears in the Torque Tube on my '49 1/2 ton , tired 235 and tall (?32"?) radial 16" tires allows me to haul right along @ 65MPH all day , I was clocked at over 75 crossing Death Valley and it still hauls & tows cars just fine .

Do it , you'll like it .

Before you go to all that trouble, I went to the local tire shops and moved-up to the tallest tire that I could find, and that took my speed up another ten mph. I also moved from a bias to radial with a larger bubble which added to drive comfort and handling...

Changed mine last year from 4:11's via Patrick's kit and can be happier.

Here's some shots of the switchover:

http://community.webshots.com/album/105853469Imjqnu

http://community.webshots.com/album/111968325LqgnhX