Too big a jump ?

I have a 60 F100 with a 292, t98, 3.70-9", 30" tires. It's great for climbing trees but not so good down the road. I picked up a third member for free that has a 3.00 ratio. 95% of my driving is on flat road with less than a 500# load. As it is now I never use 1st and 4th tops out around 55mph.

Is that too big of a ratio change for my stock 292 ?

 

No, not at all, you will be happy with the 3.0

 

gotta agree, you'll like those 3's.

 

you will not regret the change - the drop in engine revs on the open road and the improved mpg will make it worth while - plus 1st gear may be used a bit more oftern!

 

Thanks, it'll be in by tomorrow.

 

I ran 3.00s in my 38 coupe, originally had a bog stock 351 and it was excellent for just getting around town and also was fantastic out on the open road going long distances.

Doc.

 

Agreed, if the 292 is healthy, that will be an excellent gear ratio, especially considering the low first gear ratio you have with the 4 speed.

 

clarence (see avitar) has a 283/T350/8". i had a 3.0 gear 'til it went south and i replaced it with another that is somewhat taller; 2.7 something perhaps? i can't remember. the truck weighs in around 3,500#. it runs just fine as is. the only time i wish i had lower gears is in august at the hamb drags.

 

While you may indeed, be happier with a 3.0 gearset, I can't buy that your present combo "tops out at 55". That rear end gear and tire size says 2286 R.P.M. at 55. That engine has "several" more R.P.M. to go before it's "topped out".

 

Allow me to rephrase, 55mph is at the top end of my engine's comfortable operating range.

 

Not trying to be agumentative here, but even 65 m.p.h. is only 2700 R.P.M. That's well within that engine's "comfort range". Methinks 55 m.p.h. is more like "your" comfort range. Trucks which were driven pedal to the metal all day were governed to 3000 r.p.m.