Axle Recommendations for a 2025 Lariat?

[webby]

I am about to order a 2025 Lariat with the 3.5L Ecoboost (non-Hybrid) I have questions about the options for the axle ratio. From the Build & Price page, here are my axle options:

3.31 Non-Limited Slip Axle Ratio -- Included

3.73 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio -- $570

3.31 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio -- $420

3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio with Tow Haul -- $395

3.73 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio with Tow Haul -- Max Tow -- $395

3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio (no price listed, so presumably a no cost option)

My usage of the truck will be daily driver, mixed City and Highway, very seldom off road use and even then would be light off road. I will stick with stock size tires, and will never put a lift on the truck. Towing use will be infrequent and only would be light towing of an open utility trailer. I should mention that we live in the SW desert, and throughout the summer, we frequently travel back and forth from 1100 ft to 7700 ft elevation, with a lot of up and down grades in between. We typically take at least two of these trips per month throughout the hot summer months. We, two of us, would only be hauling personal stuff, and some tools and supplies, so definitely a pretty light load.

For my usage, I don't need Tow Haul or Max Tow, plus I am aware that there have been some serious issues with the Max Tow axle. Since I will already have 4x4, I'm not thinking I have a need for an electronic locking axle, but I am open to suggestions.

Given all this, my inclination is to choose either the standard 3.31 Non-Limited Slip axle, or the no cost option of the 3.55 Electronic Locking Axle, but I remain open to suggestions. What are the pros and cons of these two axles, and which ratio would you all recommend as best suited to my stated usage? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

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[flasch192]

3.73 is only available for the PB and 5.0 , 3.55 is were its at for the 3.5 eco !

 

[HammaMan]

Sounds like you're a great candidate for the hybrid

Given rates and market conditions, I'd grab one off of the dealer lot especially showing 1.9% for 60mo out there.

Given the TOD transfer case in the lariat and your lack of towing, you need neither the locker nor additional gear.

 

[webby]

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated.

I understand that right now, the Powerboost is a no-cost option over the 3.5 non-hybrid, but I already have a home backup genset integrated into the electric panel with an interlock switch, so don't need it for home backup. And I don't want the additional complexity of the hybrid, so I'm going to go with the 3.5 Ecoboost.

 

[webby]

3.73 is only available for the PB and 5.0 , 3.55 is were its at for the 3.5 eco !

I was kind of thinking the 3.55 might be best for my application, given that we travel up and down from low to high elevation and back all summer.

 

[HammaMan]

I was kind of thinking the 3.55 might be best for my application, given that we travel up and down from low to high elevation and back all summer.

10 speed does the lifting at speed, not the gearing. Gearing is for getting heavy loads started. 10 gears really changes the bigger picture at speed. Ultimately you probably wouldn't see/feel a difference from 3.31 and 3.55 on a daily basis, but you will notice $500.

If ford had their way they'd offer 3.31 and 3.73. This is more of a holdover from not enough gears.

 

[webby]

10 speed does the lifting at speed, not the gearing. Gearing is for getting heavy loads started. 10 gears really changes the bigger picture at speed. Ultimately you probably wouldn't see/feel a difference from 3.31 and 3.55 on a daily basis, but you will notice $500.

If ford had their way they'd offer 3.31 and 3.73. This is more of a holdover from not enough gears.

OK, thanks. So your take is that there really isn't much benefit to paying several hundred dollars more for the 3.55 over the 3.31?

 

[webby]

I wonder why the 3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio with Tow Haul ($395) costs less than the 3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio ($470)?

And what feature(s) does the 'Tow Haul' add to the 3.55?

 

[HammaMan]

10 speed trans w/ 3.31 finals has an effective first gear ratio of 15.54 to 1 (4.696 x 3.31)
The previous gens w/ the 6 speed and a 3.73 gear has an effective first gear ratio of 15.55 to 1 (4.17 * 3.73). Current gen has more power as well so you can see how the 10 speeds drastically changes the need for higher gearing. The tow haul package is the locking rear gear and the trailer brake controller. Doesn't sound like you need the trailer brake controller, but you can add it for around $350 if you want it. The truck already has one that you replace w/ the new unit plus slider brake switch.

Vs

 

[webby]

Thanks. Question: Would the 3.55 with Tow Haul be useful for my usage in frequent trips for 6 months of every year, traveling from low to high elevation and back with a lot of up and down grades along the way?

It is my understanding that when Tow Haul mode is engaged, the system holds lower gears longer when accelerating or decelerating. Therefore I'm thinking that Tow Haul mode might be useful on these trips due to the system holding lower gears longer and adding engine braking, helping to slow the vehicle down on long downgrades.

 

[webby]

I figured out why the 3.55 with Tow Haul appears to cost less than the 3.55 without Tow Haul. It actually doesn't -- On the build, when you select 3.55 with Tow Haul, a pop-up informs that the option actually costs $710, because it requires addition of a Class IV trailer hitch.

For my usage, I don't need a Class IV trailer hitch. However, I'm thinking that the 3.55 with Tow Haul Mode might be helpful for my usage in frequent trips for 6 months of every year, traveling from low to high elevation and back with a lot of up and down grades along the way.

I presume Tow Haul would hold lower gears longer on long steep upgrades, plus would provide some engine braking by holding lower gears longer on long downgrades. Is my thinking re this feature correct?

 

[NavyChief]

You mentioned some towing so I would outfit the truck with the receiver at a minimum.
As has already been posted the 10 spd auto makes gear choice much less vital for most things, I’ve had 3 with 3.31s and they were great.

 

[webby]

You mentioned some towing so I would outfit the truck with the receiver at a minimum.
As has already been posted the 10 spd auto makes gear choice much less vital for most things, I’ve had 3 with 3.31s and they were great.

Thanks. I had assumed that this truck came with a receiver hitch standard. Does it actually not? If so, then for sure I need to order an option that includes a receiver hitch, as I do light towing occasionally. The 3.55 axle with Tow Haul appears to be the only axle option that includes a receiver hitch.

 

[NavyChief]

Honestly I’m not sure, maybe standard is a class 3? I’ve not seen one without.

 

[HammaMan]

All super cabs and crew cabs have the same tow hitch. Tow package is just the TBC and the backup knob. You can add the TBC and or backup knob yourself.

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