Hi guys, I'm getting ready to place my order and I will be getting a 2012 f250 6.2 4x4 short bed crew cab lariat. This will be my daily driver as well as carry a short bed slid in camper and boat on the weekends. I live in Alaska and go through a mountain pass to get to our local rivers. Will the electronic locking 3.73 be sufficient for me or would you recommend the 4.30? I plan on installing a leveling kit along with some 35" tires at some point. I will also be ordering the camper package with the truck. Let me know your thoughts and those of you who carry a camper.

Thanks!

Sean

 

Well guys I had to place my order today and went with the 3.73 gears as a majority of my driving will be in town, so I guess I answered my own question. Now all I have to do is wait! This will be my first Super Duty and looking forward to it!

 

The mileage isn't much of a difference between the 2, plus if you're going to 35's, I'd have gone with the 4.30's. With 3.73's and 35" tires, you're essentially dropping your gearing down even more. The 4.30's would have been a little more accommodating in that respect.

In bed camper towing a boat in the mountains (and on 35's)? I'd have gone with the 4.30's, but I'm biased. Either gear set will do it though, the 6.2 is a pretty strong motor.

BTW - Welcome to FTE!

 

So 3.73 and 4.30 get roughly the same millage?

 

A couple mpg's difference with the city/hwy numbers.

Some good reading here and here.

If you do change your mind, you have some time to change your order.

 

So you guys would recommend the 4.30? I would like to know why people chose the 3.73 then if the mpg isn't that drastic.

 

If I were buying one,I would get 4.30's.

 

I would opt for the 4.30 gears as well for two of your stated uses: Mountain towing and large tires. A lot of people running 35's opt for 4.56 gears. You aren't pulling/carrying a lot of weight, but you may actually hurt your mileage asking the 3.73's to lug those tires. Good luck.

I also have a 2012 on order with 4.30's, but I pull a large 5th wheel gvwr 11710, but I will be running the small LT245 17" tires.

Gman

 

Is this going to be your daily driver?

 

Mountain passes, going to 35's and etc.....getting the 4.30s is a no brainer. If I had any say at Ford 3.73s would not even be an option on the gassers.

 

Yes, daily driver, mostly in town stop lights etc. I figure I can always regear down if I need to, or increase tire size a little if I need to, but probably won't. I ordered the XL with LT 245/70R17 tires that are about 31" diameter or so.

I pulled my 5th with my 09 F350 6.4 diesel with 3.55 gears, plenty of power, but often hit real bad weather and strong headwinds, so 4.30's for me will probably work pretty well with the 6.2 gas.

I am shaving about 1500lbs off my truck (F350 CC LWB Fx4 Diesel to XL 2wd SWB gas), and going from 3.55 gears in a 5 speed tranny to 4.30 gears with a 6 speed. I don't expect too much of a drop in performance.

You are not carrying enough weight to worry about gears, but I would be concerned with the 35's, you should post on 4x4 forums for advice how the 3.73's work with large diameter tires. You may be effectively reducing your gearing to 3.55 or 3.31 or so, there is a calculator for that, and running in the mountains. Good luck.

Gman

 

I changed my order to have 4.30 gears installed. I figured since there is only a few mpg difference between the two this will be a better choice as I will be putting on 35" tires at some point. Thanks for all the helpful info.

 

Good plan, especially with your move to 35s. You read way more "I need more gear" threads than you do the reverse. Good luck with the new rig!