Photos Greenhorn here!

[rodbaron]

I'm excited to see how everyone has modded and kept their Explorers going. I want mine to look and run great. It needs a little help though. The power of the old v6 has impressed me. The blue interior has not!

1998 XLT 4x4 v6

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Before going to a larger tire, I would find out what gear ratio you have to start with.

 

[rodbaron]

Welcome to the site. Before going to a larger tire, I would find out what gear ratio you have to start with.

Hi. Thanks. Ya know I didn't even think of that. Thanks for the suggestion. It's stamped on the rear end on these I would assume. Any specific area I can look in order to cut down time hunting it down?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Hi. Thanks. Ya know I didn't even think of that. Thanks for the suggestion. It's stamped on the rear end on these I would assume. Any specific area I can look in order to cut down time hunting it down?

welcome. the door sticker will have an axle code that will tell you what you have. there is a chart somewhere around here with that info you can match it up to. 373s with 31s do fine, as will 410s. cant comment on 355s.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Axle Codes - Located on the driver's door

Model Code Description Capacity Ratio
Bronco II
42 Regular 2640 3.45
44 Regular 2640 3.73
47 Regular 2500 4.10
D2 Limited Slip 2500 3.45
D4 Limited Slip 2640 3.73
D7 Limited Slip 2500 4.10
Ranger
72 Regular 2200 3.08
74 Regular 2200 3.45
82 Regular 2700 3.08
84 Regular 2700 3.45
85 Regular 2750 3.55
86 Regular 2700 3.73
87 Regular 2700 4.10
96 Regular 3200 3.73
F4 Limited Slip 2700 3.45
F5 Limited Slip 2750 3.55
F6 Limited Slip 2700 3.73
F7 Limited Slip 2700 4.10
K6 Limited Slip 3200 4.10
Explorer
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73

 

[rodbaron]

welcome. the door sticker will have an axle code that will tell you what you have. there is a chart somewhere around here with that info you can match it up to. 373s with 31s do fine, as will 410s. cant comment on 355s.

Ah yes. That I do remember now but have never had to do a cross reference. I will look into that tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[RangerX]

Moving to the section for your year.

 

[rodbaron]

Axle Codes - Located on the driver's door

Model Code Description Capacity Ratio
Bronco II
42 Regular 2640 3.45
44 Regular 2640 3.73
47 Regular 2500 4.10
D2 Limited Slip 2500 3.45
D4 Limited Slip 2640 3.73
D7 Limited Slip 2500 4.10
Ranger
72 Regular 2200 3.08
74 Regular 2200 3.45
82 Regular 2700 3.08
84 Regular 2700 3.45
85 Regular 2750 3.55
86 Regular 2700 3.73
87 Regular 2700 4.10
96 Regular 3200 3.73
F4 Limited Slip 2700 3.45
F5 Limited Slip 2750 3.55
F6 Limited Slip 2700 3.73
F7 Limited Slip 2700 4.10
K6 Limited Slip 3200 4.10
Explorer
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73

Perfect. I'll be on it first thing tomorrow! Thanks!

 

[rodbaron]

Perfect. I'll be on it first thing tomorrow! Thanks!

Update: mine is a 45 code

Open 3200 3.55

Not sure how that changes things but my guess is its not great.

 

[rodbaron]

Update: mine is a 45 code

Open 3200 3.55

Not sure how that changes things but my guess is its not great.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Update: mine is a 45 code

Open 3200 3.55

Not sure how that changes things but my guess is its not great.

ive beaard of folks doing 33s and 373s. not great but certainly doable. 355s and 373 youd have to look up. my guess is itll be tolerable but slot depends on your topography (ie in la theres lots if hills and mountain passes so hill power is non negotiable... but for kansas you can certainly run something alot taller)

 

[DemonMudder]

ive beaard of folks doing 33s and 373s. not great but certainly doable. 355s and 373 youd have to look up. my guess is itll be tolerable but slot depends on your topography (ie in la theres lots if hills and mountain passes so hill power is non negotiable... but for kansas you can certainly run something alot taller)

I had 3.73s on mine with 32s and they weren't like horrible, but definitely wasn't happy going up steeper hills. My silverado has considerably more power and torque which makes a difference too, but it has a 4.10 open and the 33s it used to have were perfect, I did burnouts on those 33s like they were teeny 23s lol
Even the 37s it has now I can do burnouts with on that 4.10. But that would be my suggestion too, is swapping the gears out for a 3.73 at least, a 4.10 ain't a bad idea though, and definitely want at least a limited slip vs that open diff. Definitely will not be using bigger than 32s on my X until I gear swap it, engine swap it, or both.

Edit: I also should ask, which V6? Guessing the sohc? Or do ya have the ohv?

 

[410Fortune]

You can find a new rear axle and front diff from another rig with 4.1 gears and a limited slip rear axle… the 4.1 will handle 30-32” tires waaaaaaay better imo

 

[DemonMudder]

You can find a new rear axle and front diff from another rig with 4.1 gears and a limited slip rear axle… the 4.1 will handle 30-32” tires waaaaaaay better imo

Oh having experience now with a 4.10, I definitely plan to swap those into mine, want the torque back. Definitely not too hard to find