8.8 open with 3.27 gears

[spanky50]

I am trying find out if i should change the 3.27 gears out of my 97 ranger 4.0 4x4 with 32'' tires
Im going to change the 8.8 open to a limited slip.

 

[Dirtman]

You should change out 3.27 gears no matter what.

If it's manual you could get away with 3.73, automatic I'd want 4.10 or better...

 

[spanky50]

if i change rear then i need to change out front dana 35 gears also right

 

[Dirtman]

Yep. I didn't even know they put 3.27 gears in 4x4's....

 

[spanky50]

that's what the door tag says it is (91)
i've had a hard time finding any thing out about 3.27 gears. they all start at 3.73

 

[Dirtman]

3.27 and 3.08 were somewhat common in 2wd cheapo trucks in order to get them crazy fuel economy numbers but like I said, very odd gear on a 4x4.

 

[fastpakr]

I had 3.27's in my '94 Explorer Sport (4x4). Sadly.

 

[sgtsandman]

With 32" tires, I would start with 4.10 as a minimum. Look in the Tech Library for the tire/gear chart for the details. Since I do some off road, towing, and heavy hauling, I'm looking at 4.56 with 31" tires. Depending on what you do, 4.56 might be better since you are looking to re-gear anyway. The catch is that you will have to pay someone to do it or do it yourself. If you go the 4.10 route, you could just swap axles. Pick your poison and how much you want to pay.

 

[IceBergeRanger12]

I have a 1992 Standard Cab 4.0 4x4 Manual long bed with these same ratios. 8.8 open with 3.27. Was curious what the best route to go to upgrading. Try to swap the rear axle with an explorers? Or just tear this axle down and rebuild with the 3.73's and a locker. Trying to find the median of cost and effectiveness. I'm figuring a 3.73 will be enough for my needs. Not doing rock crawling but will taking it on some more intense overlanding trails.

 

[Shran]

I have a 1992 Standard Cab 4.0 4x4 Manual long bed with these same ratios. 8.8 open with 3.27. Was curious what the best route to go to upgrading. Try to swap the rear axle with an explorers? Or just tear this axle down and rebuild with the 3.73's and a locker. Trying to find the median of cost and effectiveness. I'm figuring a 3.73 will be enough for my needs. Not doing rock crawling but will taking it on some more intense overlanding trails.

What size tires are you running? I had 3.73s in my Explorer with 30x9.50x15 tires and that was fine for highway driving and light offroad but just a hair too high for some of the more difficult stuff I have run. I went to 4.10s and am very pleased with it now - I have run Hell's Revenge, White Rim Road, back road to Crown King, a few mountain passes in CO, lots of local stuff... if that gives you some idea what I would consider "more difficult." If you have bigger tires than I do then I would suggest going deeper than I am at.

Either way you can go down to 4.10 with junkyard parts. 3.73s are dirt common and cheap, your easy button there is another Ranger...Explorer rear axle is not a bolt in swap. If you want anything deeper than 4.10, just buy gears for what you have now.

 

[IceBergeRanger12]

It's still essentially a stock truck, has a set of 28" KO2's on the original rims, about all that's been changed from stock. Was thinking a modest lift, 2" or so then put 30's on it. I could see 4.10's being a good in between. Not like this is my daily driver, but not trying to climb boulders either.

I'm up in Washington and there is an overland trail that goes from the Oregon border clear up to Canada that ide love to Travers in my little ranger, just want to make sure it can tackle that no problem.

 

[Shran]

Right on. 30's might fit on stock wheels with no lift, I have mine on Mickey Thompson 15x8s though so they rub a few spots because of the wheel offset... and I have a 1.5" lift. I think if that size tire is the biggest you'll ever run then 4.10s will be just about perfect.

 

[fastpakr]

As Shran said, just grab an axle from a Ranger in the junkyard. No conversion needed, just unbolt yours and swap in the replacement.

 

[sgtsandman]

Like mentioned above, an axle swap from another Ranger with the gear ratio you want is going to be the cheapest and easiest.

Explorer axles are going to require the spring perches to be cut off and moved to the top of the axle and welded back on.

Regearing your current axle is going to require a new set of gears and an installation kit with all the spacers and such. The either pay a shop to do the job or a lot of patience and removing and reinstalling to get the spacing and back lash right.

Since you are looking at 3.73 or 4.10, the axle swap is the way to go. Just make sure it’s the same axle and drum size. Also, verify that they give you what you asked for. There should be a tag with the axle code on one of the cover bolts. If it isn’t there, the ratio will be stamped on the ring gear. I had a counter guy at a junkyard who though he could pull a fast one and give me a 3.73 when I asked for a 4.10. Then proceed to argue with me when I called him out on it. I got the axle I wanted in the end but I should have got it the first time and not had to verify it was correct. I haven’t gone back there since.

 

[IceBergeRanger12]

Thanks for the input everyone!