| voced | -- 02-15-2011 @ 5:54 PM |
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I am looking to change my ring & pinion on my 35 Ford pickup. It is the stock engine. What ratio do I want to install? Hope this will make it easier on it cruising at highway speeds. Or am I making a mistake? Thanks, Jerry
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| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 02-15-2011 @ 5:59 PM |
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I installed a 354-1 ratio in my 37, made a BIG DIFFERENCE, well worth the work, I bought it from the V8 SHOP in BALLSTON SPA, NY, hope this helps 37RAGTOPMAN and KEEP on FORDIN,,!!!
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| Stroker | -- 02-15-2011 @ 6:10 PM |
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As 37 has stated, a 3.54 will let your pickup cruise down the superslab very nicely. Given that you might occasionally want to haul or tow something, you might consider a 3.78 which is probably the most common Ford gearset ever. I have a 38 wagon, and while I have run a 3.54 (Columbia w/ 4.11 in overdrive), I opted for the 3.78 when I shucked the Columbia. I'm very happy with the 3.78's as a good all-around gear unless you are going to do a lot of Interstate driving, then I'd go with the 3.54's. I would imagine that your stock ratio is either 4.44 or 4.11.
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| MG | -- 02-15-2011 @ 6:28 PM |
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Stroker, I agree with you in that 3.78 is "as a good all-around gear"! I have 3.54 in my '34 and find it to be great on freeways in the flatlands but I can smell the clutch when driving the hills of San Francisco. I have 3.78 in my '37 and it has proven to be best for all-around driving. A 3.78 in the middle of a Columbia is the best of all worlds but I refuse to spring for a Columbia......
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| Stroker | -- 02-15-2011 @ 7:42 PM |
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MG: Once I get my 38 back on the road, I'm going to re-install my Columbia with a 4.44. as it was original to the car. I have all the stuff to restore it, and I've never driven a combination that has more user-friendly options that this. Having said that, If I didn't have all the original controls, knob on the dash, etc., I'd probably opt for a Mitch*ll Overdrive, as it is a much simpler, and probably more bulletproof set-up than the ancient Columbia. A word of caution as to how I "trashed" the Columbia....Never, Never! try to take-off in low-overdrive, with a 300 cu-in modified flattie.
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| supereal | -- 02-16-2011 @ 9:57 AM |
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You may get along fine with a 3-54 in a pickup, as it is lighter than cars, but a 3-78 became the defacto "best" ratio as a compromise for power and speed. Swapping rear end gears is not a simple job, particularly if you are inexperienced. I have a 3-78 in my '47, and the overdrive (3 to 1) allows me to cruise easily over 60 mph while giving me plenty of power for traffic and hills. Buying and installing such a unit, such as the Mitchel, won't be much more costly, and a whole lot easier, than ring and pinion swapping.
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| voced | -- 02-17-2011 @ 10:59 AM |
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I would like to thank all of you for your experienced advise. Jerry
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| ford38v8 | -- 02-17-2011 @ 10:03 PM |
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Dan, I'm thinking that you may have transposed your ratios in your last post? I had a stump puller 4.44 and changed it out to a very useful 3.78. If you put a 4.44 together with a Columbia, you'd wind up back at 3.7 again, wouldn't you? I would think the better choice would be a 4.11 with a Columbia to produce a 3.4, giving you maximum versatility. Alan
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| Stroker | -- 02-18-2011 @ 6:10 AM |
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Alan: You are correct. The Columbia will have a 4.11. Dan
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| voced | -- 02-18-2011 @ 12:29 PM |
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I could only wish I had a Columbia. So, it looks like the 3.78 is the way to go. Where is the best place for me to purchase the ring and pinion from? Thanks Jerry
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| kubes40 | -- 02-18-2011 @ 12:35 PM |
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I'd like to offer my two cents and advise the 3:78 like many others have. It's a good all - around gear ratio that I am confident you'll be pleased with. I use them in all my restorations both with and without Columbia overdrives.
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| trjford8 | -- 02-18-2011 @ 7:56 PM |
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I think if you check around with other V-8ers you may find a good set of used 3.78 gears. I personally would buy good used gears made by Ford or NOS gears rather than use any foreign made gears.JMHO
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