Changing Gear Ratios For 31" Tires

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 20, 2008

• #1

I'm no mechanic, how the hell do you change the gear ratios,
is it done by computer??? and can you tell me what i should change it to??? tires are 31x10.5x15,

 

H

HahnsB2

Well-Known Member

Joined

March 15, 2008

Messages

780

Reaction score

1

City, State

Battle Ground WA

Year, Model & Trim Level

88 Bronco II

• June 20, 2008

• #2

Are you talking about correcting the speedometer? Changing axle gears requires just that, changing the axle gears, not for the average mechanic. With 31s and a 4.0 3.73s would be fine.

 

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 20, 2008

• #3

I got a stock explorer and I can get a good deal on 31" tires, I just wanna make sure I know what i'm doing before i do, I'm not to worried about the speedometer as I am gas mileage, so basically i'm asking if I upgrade the tires do i have to change the ratios.???

 

C

carlover

Explorer Addict

Joined

July 30, 2005

Messages

3,040

Reaction score

17

City, State

Fontana,CA

Year, Model & Trim Level

'96 XL

• June 20, 2008

• #4

OGWhiteRob216 said:

I got a stock explorer and I can get a good deal on 31" tires, I just wanna make sure I know what i'm doing before i do, I'm not to worried about the speedometer as I am gas mileage, so basically i'm asking if I upgrade the tires do i have to change the ratios.???

Click to expand...

Check your door plate and post up what it says for your axle code. Then youll know what gears you have now.

 

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 20, 2008

• #5

it says 45, do i gotta change it for 31's???

 

C

carlover

Explorer Addict

Joined

July 30, 2005

Messages

3,040

Reaction score

17

City, State

Fontana,CA

Year, Model & Trim Level

'96 XL

• June 20, 2008

• #6

You have 3.55's. It should be ok for 31's, but if you want to swap axles to one with a better gear ratio its not that hard. Are you 2wd or 4wd?

 

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 20, 2008

• #7

the ex is 4wd but i drive in 2wd, i'm low on funds so if i can get by with out changing thats cool. I'm not gonna screw up my gas mileage or nothing am I?

 

U

UtahX

Explorer Addict

Joined

September 30, 2003

Messages

1,124

Reaction score

69

City, State

Grand Junction, Colorado

Year, Model & Trim Level

2000 Explorer XLT

• June 21, 2008

• #8

You should be fine, but I'm sure you will lose a little bit of gas mileage. Improve the exhaust and intake, use synthetic oils, keep tires balanced/proper air....etc and you will pic up what you lose and more.

 

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 21, 2008

• #9

thanks Utah, one more question and I think i'l be good to go...
can i put 31x10.50R15LT tires on 15 X 7 rims???
im not 100% sure and i'd like to verify before I try.

 

Blee1099

Evil Asian

Elite Explorer

Moderator Emeritus

EF Vendor

Joined

March 3, 2002

Messages

13,740

Reaction score

56

City, State

Elkridge, MD

Year, Model & Trim Level

04 4Runner, 22 Silverado

• June 21, 2008

• #10

yes you can.. You can run up to 11.5" wide tire.. Some have gone to 12.5 on a 15x7..

 

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 21, 2008

• #11

good, is there (any) modifications I have to make on the stock explorer to run 31's???

 

PRS

Well-Known Member

Joined

April 12, 2006

Messages

358

Reaction score

0

City, State

San Diego

Year, Model & Trim Level

2000 Explorer Sport 2WD!

• June 21, 2008

• #12

Every Explorer is a little different but generally you should be able to fit 31's (stock) with no problems.

 

Z

zonianbrat

Well-Known Member

Joined

June 7, 2008

Messages

136

Reaction score

1

City, State

Ft. Collins, Colorado

Year, Model & Trim Level

98 XLT V-6 SOHC

• June 21, 2008

• #13

Not to hijack this thread but how much difference will there be in the speedo with 31's. I am thinking of getting some when my 235"s wear out. I have the 3:73 and not that it matters but I think it's the limited slip diff.

 

H

HahnsB2

Well-Known Member

Joined

March 15, 2008

Messages

780

Reaction score

1

City, State

Battle Ground WA

Year, Model & Trim Level

88 Bronco II

• June 21, 2008

• #14

UtahX said:

You should be fine, but I'm sure you will lose a little bit of gas mileage. Improve the exhaust and intake, use synthetic oils, keep tires balanced/proper air....etc and you will pic up what you lose and more.

Click to expand...

Doubt it... I lost 2-3 MPG average moving to 31s, I've even re geared and didn't see millage improve, drivability yes, millage no. I run synthetic oil in my engine (Mobil 1) and rear end (AMSOIL) and have a very free flowing exhaust. A 4.0 will not be affected as much as my 2.9 was though.

 

C

Charlie

Explorer Addict

Joined

August 10, 2006

Messages

4,157

Reaction score

5

City, State

Wisconsin

Year, Model & Trim Level

2000 Limited

• June 21, 2008

• #15

With mine, GPS actually reading shows spedometer as closer to actual speed with stock 31's. It reads 1-3mph high depending on the speed, where as the stock read 3-5mph slow.

Gas mileage didn't change much for me, either.

As for changes needed, none. It should fit a stock explorer fine. You might have minor rubbing, but if you want, you can always do a TT and shackles to avoid any minor rubbing, if you have any rubbing at all, that is.

 

O

OGWhiteRob216

Active Member

Joined

June 10, 2008

Messages

96

Reaction score

4

City, State

Cleveland, Ohio

Year, Model & Trim Level

96 XLT

• June 21, 2008

• #16

God bless you fellas, I just got some $40 rims, for the $40 set of 31's. about to paint them black, can i get some recommendations on doing this?