1997 f350 cclb gear swap

[nelson97]

I have a 1997 f350 cclb 6'' lift on 37''s i wanting to swap the gears out but dont know how low to go it has 3:55s in it now and im leaning towards 4:56s with a gm 14 bolt swap in the rear. Truck is my dd but i want some more get up and go. are 4:56s to low?

[backwoodsboy]

If you tow I would go with 4.56. If you do a lot of highway driving you should be able to get away with 4.11 for better mpg. In either case those 3.55's are too tall for 37's.
With 4.11's you also have the option of trading straight across with someone who has 4.11's and wants 3.55's.

[nelson97]

ok thank you! Im gonna go with the 4:56s because i have a mud truck that i plan on hauling around the midwest. what are your thoughts on the gm 14 bolt swap?

[wishIhada5.0]

What is your reasoning behind wanting to put a 14 bolt in it?

[nelson97]

I have just heard they are stronger and i have one in my garage lol

[wishIhada5.0]

the sterling 10.5 is a pretty beefy axle IMHO

[terryknight]

there are also 4.30s out there if you want.

the 14 bolt is a slightly beefier axle, brett put one under his 6 door. but the stock (sterling10.25) should be fine, but if you wanna do it go for it. i find it easier to work on the sterling that the 14 bolt

[ol_Blue97]

the 14 bolt will require the spring perches to be cut off and re-welded.