3.73 vs 4.11 in a 2008 E350 V10

[1der]

Having owned a 03. V10 15 pass Stock roof w QuadVan's 4x4 TTB, 265's and 3.73's - No engine mods or tuner, light interior buildout, roof rack/basket, side ladder, stock bumpers. The lift was maybe 1.5" over stock:

13 years and 50k+ miles of driving / very little towing - I was VERY happy w that setup. Fwy mpg normally around 13.5 at 65 +/- mph.

Removed the roof rack and bars for a run to Loveland 14.9mpg over the 1200 miles at 70mph. Had CCV install their hi top, drove back and got nearly the same 14.8mpg w 80mph stretches on 80 in the mix.

So the V10 can get decent fuel mileage. Always felt like I had hardly any foot on the go pedal, it was perfectly setup for our usage.

Of course, if towing often and 5k lbs, I would think it prudent to change to the 4:10 or 4.30. But I would miss the lower rpms when running unloaded/not towing.

[Wirehead]

I'm the current owner of the van 1Der mentioned. It now has a CCV high top, 285/75 KO2's on it and 3.73 gears. I just did a run from the Bay Area up to Seattle and back. I averaged 10.5mpg in the mountains and 14.5 on the flats. Overall mileage for the entire round trip was 12.7 and I wasn't shy with the gas.
I currently don't tow and I don't think I'll go to larger tires so right now I'm happy where I'm at. Perhaps later if I start towing a lot I would look at the 4.30's.

[NCMODELA]

I put a 2011 f250 4.30 gear factory e locker in mine. Would do it again. Highly recommend.

[Vanimal]

Originally Posted by NCMODELA

I put a 2011 f250 4.30 gear factory e locker in mine. Would do it again. Highly recommend.

Ditto but on 35's and a 7.3.