changing gears front and rear gears on a 2003 exp.

tl1000r · 07-05-2006, 03:15 PM

HI guys i just was wondering if anyone has changed the gears on the newer explorers my wifes has the 2003 4.6 v8 and has 3.55 gears but we plan on getting a good size boat for next year and i see that in the owners manual says that if it has 3.73 gears it can tow up to 7,000 lbs so i have changed gears before on my ranger when it had a 8.8 and and solid axle dana 44 so i have no problem doing the job. my only question is the front end, is that a dana 35 style still?? and i know the rear is a 8.8 and would it be easier to just find axle housings with the right ratio and just bolt them in???

jlinskey · 07-19-2006, 08:11 PM

I hope that someone has already changed their gear sets, because I am also interested in changing the gearing in my 03 4.0 XLT. I have the stock 3.55 gears for now.

Could someone please clarify the model of the front axles that come on the 3d gen Explorers? Is it also a Ford 8.8 on the front or is it some kind of Dana axle?

Thanks,

John

*boominXplorer* · 07-19-2006, 08:15 PM

It would probibly be easier to grab factory pumpkins at a Junkyard

FordLover · 08-12-2006, 09:46 PM

yep, I'd grab the pumpkins from a junkyard, and throw em in, probably be less trouble and might even be cheaper.

jrford · 08-16-2006, 12:52 PM

I’ll third the question.
Factory pumpkins are not a bad idea. Problem is I cant’ find any Junkyard ’02-’05, anywhere most are still running, and if you do anything of value is gone. I was looking for a RR Qtr section and nothing.

Presently I tow a 1k boat without any problems but I’m I too am thinking of getting a 3-4k travel trailer,

So, to ReGear – besides the gears/pinon what else would need to be done?
Re-Calibrate (flash) the control module? How long did it take? Cost?

Also what is the axel in front?
Jim

re- Found the previous post a couple down - Dana 35 (27 spline) reversed in the front, ford 8.8 31 spline rear
Thanks! Any ideas on the other quesitons

fastcougar · 08-17-2006, 12:55 PM

The downside to the AWD 4.6L V8's is that the 3.55 is also an open diff

I too would be interested in dropping in some 3.73 LSD units front & back into the wife's 02' Mounty V8 AWD. I think Ford's choice of both the 3.55 ratio and the open diff is for fuel economy. I figure an LSD 3.73 wouldn't sacrafice much in way of MPG ... maybe 1MPG worse?

FordLover · 09-07-2006, 09:24 PM

my explorer is rated for 14 city, 18 highway...and that's pretty much accurate. If I keep the speeds below 70mph, I can get just over 20mpg, but who drives that slow.
Mine has the tow package 3.73's and 4x4/V8. Open differentials because mine has the Advance trac traction control.

Btw, my dad drives a '00 cougar 2.5 V6 with a 5 speed manual. Not the quickest thing in the world, but he loves it. Good luck with the turbo 3, that'd be sweet

red82gt · 09-09-2006, 02:06 PM

4:10's would probably pick the performance up pretty good, too bad that it's twice as much work as it is with my mustang...

*rocket 5979* · 09-09-2006, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrford

So, to ReGear – besides the gears/pinon what else would need to be done?
Re-Calibrate (flash) the control module? How long did it take? Cost?

Drop the 02+ Explorer 3.73 LSD in (or other diff choice) and then recal your speedo to compensate for a 3.73 rear gear ratio. You can recal your speedo with an Xcal2 flash device which tunes your vehicles computer. You can also pick up some more power with it too if you want.

07-05-2006, 03:15 PM	#1
tl1000r Wannabe Elite Explorer michigan, hillsdale 2001 xlt 4x4 4.0 sohc Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 34 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	changing gears front and rear gears on a 2003 exp. HI guys i just was wondering if anyone has changed the gears on the newer explorers my wifes has the 2003 4.6 v8 and has 3.55 gears but we plan on getting a good size boat for next year and i see that in the owners manual says that if it has 3.73 gears it can tow up to 7,000 lbs so i have changed gears before on my ranger when it had a 8.8 and and solid axle dana 44 so i have no problem doing the job. my only question is the front end, is that a dana 35 style still?? and i know the rear is a 8.8 and would it be easier to just find axle housings with the right ratio and just bolt them in???

07-19-2006, 08:15 PM	#3
boominXplorer Elite Explorer Virginia Beach, Va 00 4x4 Mounty Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,038 Vehicle Specs	It would probibly be easier to grab factory pumpkins at a Junkyard __________________ 1998 Mountaineer 5.0 2wd - Mac intake, Ported intake, FMS headers, 3" Exhaust, E-fan, SCT tuned, Baumenn Shift Kit, MSD, 4.10 l/s, Lowered 3/2 on 18x9 Cobra r's, HID's 2002 F250 Crew Cab SB 7.3 Diesel 4x4 - 4" MBRP exhaust, AIH delete, SCT Livewire 2001 Ranger ext cab 4x4 - 5.0/4r70/4406 swap in progress (2) 97 Mountaineers for parts 98 Sport for Parts My eBay auctions

08-12-2006, 09:46 PM	#4
FordLover Wannabe Elite Explorer Houston, Tx '02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 742 Vehicle Specs	yep, I'd grab the pumpkins from a junkyard, and throw em in, probably be less trouble and might even be cheaper. __________________ '02 XLT V8 4x4 tow pkg - pulling '07 Crossroads Sunset Trail 21' '03 Focus SVT, MPG getter - daily driver '04 Volvo S40, wifes ride '95 F-150 4x4 Eddie Bauer GONE: '94 Sport, '91 XLT, '92 XL 2dr 4x4 33's lifted

08-16-2006, 12:52 PM	#5
jrford Wannabe Elite Explorer Birmingham, MI '10 Sport Trac Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,520 Vehicle Specs	I’ll third the question. Factory pumpkins are not a bad idea. Problem is I cant’ find any Junkyard ’02-’05, anywhere most are still running, and if you do anything of value is gone. I was looking for a RR Qtr section and nothing. Presently I tow a 1k boat without any problems but I’m I too am thinking of getting a 3-4k travel trailer, So, to ReGear – besides the gears/pinon what else would need to be done? Re-Calibrate (flash) the control module? How long did it take? Cost? Also what is the axel in front? Jim re- Found the previous post a couple down - Dana 35 (27 spline) reversed in the front, ford 8.8 31 spline rear Thanks! Any ideas on the other quesitons __________________ Jim 2010 Mercury Mountaineer Premier, V8 AWD, 15k 2010 Sport Trac Limited, V8 4WD, 55k 2004 EB Quad Buckets V8 AWD, 105k

08-17-2006, 12:55 PM	#6
fastcougar Wannabe Elite Explorer Kearnysville, WV 02' Mountaineer - V8 AWD Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 242 Vehicle Specs	The downside to the AWD 4.6L V8's is that the 3.55 is also an open diff I too would be interested in dropping in some 3.73 LSD units front & back into the wife's 02' Mounty V8 AWD. I think Ford's choice of both the 3.55 ratio and the open diff is for fuel economy. I figure an LSD 3.73 wouldn't sacrafice much in way of MPG ... maybe 1MPG worse? __________________ Trevor Cole 02' Mercury Mountaineer - Premium V8 AWD 99' Mercury Cougar, 2.5L MTX (Turbo 3L in the works) 05' Toyota Corolla S, 1.8L MTX 97' Explorer XLT V8 AWD - Sold to roberthansen 96' Explorer Sport - Sold to AspenX

07-19-2006, 08:11 PM	#2
jlinskey Wannabe Elite Explorer ATL 2003 XLT 4WD Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13 Vehicle Specs	I hope that someone has already changed their gear sets, because I am also interested in changing the gearing in my 03 4.0 XLT. I have the stock 3.55 gears for now. Could someone please clarify the model of the front axles that come on the 3d gen Explorers? Is it also a Ford 8.8 on the front or is it some kind of Dana axle? Thanks, John

09-07-2006, 09:24 PM	#7
FordLover Wannabe Elite Explorer Houston, Tx '02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 742 Vehicle Specs	my explorer is rated for 14 city, 18 highway...and that's pretty much accurate. If I keep the speeds below 70mph, I can get just over 20mpg, but who drives that slow. Mine has the tow package 3.73's and 4x4/V8. Open differentials because mine has the Advance trac traction control. Btw, my dad drives a '00 cougar 2.5 V6 with a 5 speed manual. Not the quickest thing in the world, but he loves it. Good luck with the turbo 3, that'd be sweet __________________ '02 XLT V8 4x4 tow pkg - pulling '07 Crossroads Sunset Trail 21' '03 Focus SVT, MPG getter - daily driver '04 Volvo S40, wifes ride '95 F-150 4x4 Eddie Bauer GONE: '94 Sport, '91 XLT, '92 XL 2dr 4x4 33's lifted

09-09-2006, 02:06 PM	#8
red82gt Wannabe Elite Explorer Kelowna, BC 2002 XLT 4.6L Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 59 Vehicle Specs	4:10's would probably pick the performance up pretty good, too bad that it's twice as much work as it is with my mustang... __________________ 2005 4.6 LTD Groundforce springs, 22's, K&N CAI, Magnaflow Cat Back, bunch of LED's and stuff