Gears

[84bluebronco2]

I've decided my Explorer will never see the light of trails. I'll buy another RBV for that. Laugh at me, hate me, I want a parking lot pounder. If I wanted to run say something like a 31 in place of my P235-75R15, could it be done acceptably with 3.73's? My truck has 3.27s right now and they aren't terrible for my driving. I also planned maybe a 2-4in suspension lift.

Summary: With a bit of lift, and 3.73 regear, will 31's work on a parking lot pounding 94 explorer?

 

[martin]

Depends what you expect from it but it should be ok. I'm running 33's with 3:73 gears and it works for me.

 

[AgPete139]

You'll be fine. I was running a 3.08 gear / 33x12.50x15 / 4.0L & 5R55E tranny and it was way fine before I regeared. A 3.27 on 31's will be fine, and even better with the 3.73 regear (again, your tranny will thank you, like last night after he left your place.)

Pete

 

[The_Dealer]

i would go with 4.10's to save your tranny and keep somewhat decent gas mileage

 

[adsm08]

3.73s will be ok. 4.10s will be better, if you are already buying gears.

The guy I bought my Ranger 8.8 and D-35 from was running a 4.0 manual with 35s and 3.27s gears. He said it was a dog, but it worked.

 

[4x4junkie]

3.73 should work fine, though 4.10 would give you better acceleration without much (if any) impact on MPG.

 

[84bluebronco2]

3.73's seem to be more common. I'm not looking for tire spinning, rip roaring performance though. If I stumble onto 4.10's they will be mine, but I don't think I will go out of my way for them. Is it easier to regear, or "reaxle"?

 

[AgPete139]

For YOU to do, reaxle. The hardest part is finding your axle with the gears that you want. Just have to look around and at the ID tags (some junkyard piece don't have them).

With the gear swap, you need the actual ring & pinion set, along with a full master rebuild set (new gasket, sealant, pinion crush / bearings, shims, etc). You will alos obviously need new 90W gear oil and a new diffy gasket, if not included in your kit. I always just use high temp RTV... you also need the right precision tools to get your correct backlash & alignment. A single gear swap could cost you anywhere from $200 - $600, depending on who you know and where you go.

Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[84bluebronco2]

Axles it is. To lift a 94 Explorer, will there be welding?