Ford F-150 - Precistion Gear Kit

Bigger wheels and tires look good on a lifted truck, but the less glamorous ring and pinion swap is what makes the new rolling stock perform more like the factory intended. After this 2WD F-150 SuperCrew was lifted and fitted with 35-inch Pro Comp mud terrain tires and 18-inch wheels, acceleration took a back seat to aggressive looks. Big tires with the stock Ford 3.55 gears meant sluggish acceleration and an engine working too hard to get the F-150 moving. We had the guys at 4 Wheel Parts in Laguna Hills, California, install a set of 4.10 Precision Gears to restore some of the lost pep and give this F-150 a leg up on towing. While the differential was open we also bolted on a Mag-Hytec differential cover that added some peace of mind with increased fluid capacity and two magnets to trap gear-destroying metal shavings. Check out the next few pages as Joe performs the swap in just a couple of hours.

1. The Precision Gear kit comes with everything, including bearings, seals, and a gasket.
2. Joe removed the tires and brakes before removing the cover and draining the differential. To make sure everything would go back on correctly, he marked the bearing caps with a punch to identify which side was which, and which side was up.
2. Joe removed the tires and brakes before removing the cover and draining the differentia
3. After removing the retaining bolt, the dowel pin slid out.

4. Next, Joe pulled the C-clips and removed the axles, making sure to wipe them down.
5. Bearing caps were the next to go.
6. With nothing keeping it in place, the entire gear set was freed from the differential.

7. An impact wrench made short work of the pinion yoke.
8. The rear seal was driven out with a punch.
9. An air grinder, fitted with a scouring disc, removed all traces of the old gasket.

10. Brake cleaner was used to get all the old lube out of the housing, as well as any remaining metal shavings or gasket material.
10. Brake cleaner was used to get all the old lube out of the housing, as well as any rema
11. As packaged, the pinion was coated in heavy grease. A few minutes in hot solvent removed most of it before brake cleaner got the rest.
11. As packaged, the pinion was coated in heavy grease. A few minutes in hot solvent remov
12. The old bearing was removed with an impact wrench and a bearing puller.