F150 gears

[JPB3]

Shopping a F150 4x4 with a 5.0..

I see most of them with 3:31 gear ratio.. But I also see a few with 3:73's which seems much more desirable..

Do any of you have any knowledge of said truck with 3:73's? Wondering if they'd really hurt milage..

Insight would sure be appreciated !!!!

 

[fngTony]

I had an older 2011 5.0 6speed with 3:73s. 13city and 19hwy. Could get 23 coasting flat country roads at 50mph. I believe mid ‘17 they got a 10spd transmission so with those gears I think it would be hard to notice a mpg difference or even an increase in towing. Back in the day with a 4spd it was measurable.

 

[Choupique]

Ive always gotten the deepest ratio available in every truck Ive bought except one. I had a F250 with 4.30's and then an F250 with 3.73's. The 3.73 truck got better mileage unloaded and the 4.30 one did better pulling, and handled loads noticeably better.

With transmissions having 10 gears now and gear lockouts it really doesn't matter. You can just lock it down in 8th gear for towing heavy when needed and enjoy the better mileage unloaded. I think now, the shallower ratios are the better option unless the truck is going to live loaded.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Have a bone stock '14 5.0 with 3.73's. Set the cruise and go to sleep you can just get 14mpg outta the thing. Have seen single digits, while running around 80ish.

Pretty disappointed in the power, doesn't do much without a handful of rpm's. If I had known I was going to have to drive it like it was a 4 banger toyota, I never would have bought the thing.

 

[wytx]

Have a 2020 with the 3.55 and tow package. Liking it so far and mileage is fine for me.
Heaviest we've pulled is a load of firewood, did fine.
With the 36 gallon fuel tank we can get hours further down the road before we need to fill up.

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

2014 Supercrew 4x4 with 5.0 and 3.55’s. Daily driving 15-17. Highway empty down to the coast 20-21mpg. Plenty of power hauling 5K travel trailer. Towing, 10-11 mpg. 188,00 miles. I’d buy this truck again in a heartbeat.

 

[RDF1]

It depends on which transmission also.
The newer with 10SP I would look for a higher gear (3.31) empty cruising you can use 10th gear. Towing/hauling you have options to run it in 7th,8th or 9th gear.

For 6speed go for the lower gear (3.73) and ride.

 

[Yooper]

I'd agree with the few guys above in that with the 10 speed tranny you're going to notice gearing less than when they were six speeds. I have the 3.55 and don't tow super heavy, but when I do I just lock it out of 9 or 10 and do just fine. If I were ordering a 5.0 I'd probably opt for the 3.73, though.

 

[Iowafarmer]

I’ve got a 2011 5.0 6 speed automatic with 3:73 gears lucky to get 16mpg on the interstate normally a lot of short trips on rock roads averages around 12mpg

 

[prm]

My F150 is a 2022 with the 5.0 and 3.73 gears in the heavy duty rear axle. IMO I get reasonably good mileage. I averaged 20.6 on a 3600+ mile round trip driving 75-80. Heaviest I’ve towed is a horse trailer with one warmblood horse. That was effortless. Also tow an enclosed trailer with a motorcycle. Towing either I get 13-15. Seems to be more of an aero issue than weight.

 

[Wheels]

I have a 2024 with the 3.73 rear end and average right around 20mpg with the 5.0.