How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

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How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Michael Cesaro
Hey guys, I’m wondering how much money I should expect to pay to have the rear end of the truck re-geared. It’s a 2wd so only one axle and I’d like to switch it to a 4.10.

Thank you
1983 F-150 XLT, 2wd 302
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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Rembrant
Assuming you have an 8.8 diff, I'm guessing somewhere around $600 bucks. Somebody could correct me if I'm wrong, but a new ring and pinion, bearings, and installation kit is probably going to run you $250-$300 bucks, and then labor on top of that. Maybe more.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Gary Lewis
Administrator
I think it depends on where you are and who does the labor as it varies dramatically.  I think I paid ~$900 to have the front rebuilt on Big Blue, but that was also installing the OX locker, but the cost of the locker itself isn't included in that price.  And it is a Dana 60 so is bigger and the parts are more expensive and the work was done in a mechanic's shop.

On the other hand, about 10 years ago I had a guy that was working out of his garage rebuild the 9" on Dad's truck and he charged $300 including parts.  
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Rembrant
Gary Lewis wrote
I think it depends on where you are and who does the labor as it varies dramatically.  
100%.

I know parts for the Ford 8.8 are relatively inexpensive...I have been pricing them lately, but the wild card is the labor. I'm sure a proper shop would charge 4 hours labor at least...maybe more. A crafty backyard mechanic would do it for less obviously.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, but we shouldn't equate cost with quality.  In the case of the 9", it has gone several thousand miles with no problems at all.  But as I was installing the axle shafts in the Dana 60 I discovered that they'd put the wrong bearing in one side and the shaft wouldn't go in.  Then, as I was shining a light in there to make sure that was the problem, I found that they'd not cleaned the axle tube and there was a LOT of dirt in it waiting to come loose and get into the bearing and the differential.  So the backyard guy did a better job than the "professional".

A friend and I have a running joke about "professional mechanics".  Years ago he had the first year Honda Gold Wing.  At one point he took it into the shop and watched the Honda-trained mechanic check the valve lash and then the points with the same feeler gauge - without cleaning it in between.  
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

mat in tn
very true on the variances in labor. but also, the different types of axles take different processes and even different tools. the 8.8 is a very simple design but that does not mean easy! proper shimming of the pinion along with proper spacers at the carrier bearings is crucial. they may fit perfectly with the new ring and pinion but if not, then whoever does it will need a good set to select from.
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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

mat in tn
curious as to why you want a 4.10 though. first of all, what is in there now? what trans is in it? if you have a c6 and are not running at least 35" tires you are going to be really spinning that engine on the highway. if you have an aod it will handle it pretty well.
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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Rembrant
mat in tn wrote
curious as to why you want a 4.10 though. first of all, what is in there now?
If it's an original 8.8, they almost always came with either 3.08's or 3.55's, all the way from 1983-1996. 4.10's are a big jump, for sure. Hope he has overdrive or huge tires!
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Gsmblue
I wast told $3k for the 9inch rear end on my Bronco. This probably an outlier and i have had nothing but issues with the transmission they put in. I did not have then do the regear.
1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"
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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Michael Cesaro
In reply to this post by mat in tn
Originally I was thinking more power for bigger tires, I plan on putting on 33's, but after reading some of the replies here and looking around a little more I'm strongly re-considering.

Right now the ratio is 3.5, it has a c6 trans and a 9" rear end.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated
1983 F-150 XLT, 2wd 302
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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

mat in tn
that is a very common setup for a work truck. even still it will run close to 3000rpm at hwy speeds already. I have one that with 3.55 and 32" tires it does 3k at 75mph.  so, I swapped in a 3.08 to bring it down closer to 26-2700. this is THE reason that I build od trans for the ones I build. with my aodw, and a 3.73 gear i run 2k at 70 and have great power on stock size tires
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Re: How much to re-gear a 1983 f150

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Use the calculator at Documentation/Driveline/Calculators to figure out what your RPM will be at any speed.  But with 3.55 gears and 33" tires I'm running ~1900 @ 65 MPH.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI