swap? or?

[basshead]

i have a 8.8 open rear end on my 98 with 3.73 gears,
i found a torsin rear end off an 07 level 11 with 4.10 gears for cheap..
how hard would it be to re gear the front diff to match?
and would the swap be worth it.thanks in advance

 

[4x4junkie]

Can you get the front axle housing from that same truck? (Should be cheaper than regearing one... 4.10 is also somewhat common in '97-'01 Explorers too).

From 3.73 to 4.10 is not a real big jump though... Depending on what size tires you have, you might be better off jumping to 4.56.

 

[basshead]

Can you get the front axle housing from that same truck? (Should be cheaper than regearing one... 4.10 is also somewhat common in '97-'01 Explorers too).

From 3.73 to 4.10 is not a real big jump though... Depending on what size tires you have, you might be better off jumping to 4.56.

i have 31's right now, but my lift should be here by friday, and once these tires wear out im looking to get 33's. lots of people run 3.73's with 33's but im not sure what the downfalls would be

 

[JoshT]

Biggest one I can think of would be slower acceleration. In stock form your truck was geared as a general purpose DD, when you moved up to the 31s it changed to more of an economy gearing. Moving to 33s will push it even more in that direction. Probably the biggest change you will notice is the decrease in passing power and acceleration when taking off from a stop. As long as you didn't change your driving habbits, or mash the pedal to the floor trying to pass someone or take off quicker, you might even notice a slight increase in MPG. Swapping to 4.10s with the 33s will keep the truck at about the same performance it has now.

 

[4.0B2]

honestly, i'd skip 4.10's and move straight to 4.56's. one step gearing change is not a major deal. i did it once and was terribly unhappy with the results.

i have 4.56s and 33's and i don't see why you'd want any less gear... some say 4.10s and 33's is nice w/ the 4.0 but... i love my combo. 4.0, auto, 4.56's, 33's.

do NOT do 3.73's and 33's... i couldn't deal w/ it plus it puts a lot of extra strain on your drivetrain..

if i was you.. i'd keep the axle you have now, unless you wanna build a stronger 31 spline explorer axle, which would require some fab work. just gear them 4.56's and throw an aussie or something in one or both of the axles.

 

[swynx]

little bit off topic, but not to long ago i owned a 1988 toyota xtra cab, had 35's with 4.10's. a built 22r. and 5th gear was unusable. it wouldnt hold 55 mph in 5th with a wind. 65 floored was obtainable in 4th.

22r is no match for a 4.0

i know your only talking 33's but, this will sorta give you an idea.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

if i was you.. i'd keep the axle you have now, unless you wanna build a stronger 31 spline explorer axle, which would require some fab work. just gear them 4.56's and throw an aussie or something in one or both of the axles.

Or you could just bolt in the FX4 LII 31 spline 8.8 axle... which is the same strength as an Explorer axle.

I would poke it in and see what I thought of the 4.10's in 2wd. If you do not like them you are not out much if you think you need 4.56's.

If you do like it you just need to find a diff out of an Explorer that is already set up and you are set.

 

[cdawall]

Or you could just bolt in the FX4 LII 31 spline 8.8 axle... which is the same strength as an Explorer axle.

I would poke it in and see what I thought of the 4.10's in 2wd. If you do not like them you are not out much if you think you need 4.56's.

If you do like it you just need to find a diff out of an Explorer that is already set up and you are set.

I agree.

 

[Vexy]

Or you could just bolt in the FX4 LII 31 spline 8.8 axle... which is the same strength as an Explorer axle.

I would poke it in and see what I thought of the 4.10's in 2wd. If you do not like them you are not out much if you think you need 4.56's.

If you do like it you just need to find a diff out of an Explorer that is already set up and you are set.

And if you do this, be sure to convert it to disks. It will be more expensive than an explorer 8.8 swap, but you will have the same end result.