3.73 to 4.10 swap advice please

[fang619]

Just out of curiosity, what prompted you to want to do the swap? Mounting larger tires?

i found a good deal on some control arms on craigslist and i needed a bigger tire size for em so i got some 32's and now im struggling to make it up hills and 5th gear is pretty much useless now

 

[Ranger44]

My questions are why do you have to regear your current axle? and Why do an explorer axle if you are hesitant about welding and cutting?

There are plenty of 4.10 geared 28 spline 7.5's and 8.8's that come stock in older to current Rangers....that will basically bolt into place of your current axle. It's my belief that going to the extreme isn't always the best option.

An axle can be had for $250...easy at most j-yards. The cost of gears, supplies, tools, or even the price of somebody setting them up are considerably higher.

Just an option to consider.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

my cousin just got a 7.5" with 4.10 gears for 70 at craigslist. including lift blocks and a spare tire LOL

 

[Surrey]

Your not going to find a 4:10 8.8 axle out there from an Explorer Rangers had them on special application only it's been said on here.There is quite a few 7.5 4:10s out there in mid 80s all were automatics My B2 came with one.The cheapest easiest way would be to buy one of those.

Explorer axles came with 4.10 gears. Axle code was D2, had a l/s too.

Some Ranger axles actually came with 4.56 gears, but Im not sure on the details for them... Also, I have an 88 b2 with a 5speed and 4.10 gears, LS in the rear.
For your purpose, I would say get a Ranger 8.8"... The advantage to the Explorer 8.8 is the fact it is a bit stronger, but you are already getting a huge strength increase just going to the 8.8, and it means no cutting, welding, or anything. Just stay away from 31-spline Ranger axles (99+ 4.56-geared axles, I think?) because they are impossible to find parts for.

This page will pretty much tell you everything you need to know.
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

[88_Eddie]

the only difference in a ranger 8.8 and a 7.5 is the ring gear. axle shafts are the same spline count and same diameter

 

[fang619]

My questions are why do you have to regear your current axle? and Why do an explorer axle if you are hesitant about welding and cutting?

i was going to re gear it because i pretty much have to floor it to get my tires rolling because of my stupid choice in tire size for a 2.5L, my friend's dad has changed out gears on alot of trucks and told me he would walk me through it for free and i just found a ring and pinion set on craigslist for $100, the shop selling em said out the door with install would be $280, and i just need something to get me around town and hopefully help my mpg a little until i can get a better project axle to fix up
how long do you think my 7.5 would last with 4:10 gears in it?
i do very little offroading now so i wouldnt be pushing it too hard, im just trying to get a little more power or mpg

 

[Surrey]

The 7.5 should hold up fine. I have two of 'em with over 300 000 km each on 'em, no problems. And they both came out of 4x4s with 2.9l v6.

$100 isn't a bad price, but as stated before, you can get a whole axle for cheaper, and the work on swapping an axle is much easier than gears.

If you are going to spend the money/time on new gears, I would get 4.56 gears. The change to 4.10 gears is just shy of 10%, while 4.56 will be about 21% change.

 

[AgPete139]

Don't fear the gear. 4.10's are an excellent choice. If you go with a bigger tire, 4.56's may even be good.

You will not regret 4.10's.

But finding an 8.8 may be easier.

If you swap the gears, pay someone to do it. You'll eff them up, and wind up with a trashed rear end after 200 miles.

 

[fang619]

yeah i guess i should just go take a look at the junkyards before i go buy anything

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i got my gears for like 50.
but yeah sometimes u can get the whole axle for a similar amount.

my 7.5 has held the 4.10 gears so far with 31" m/t tires and the ocassional beating