31x10.5R15 TOO BIG FOR A 3.23 REAR END??

['93 EXPLORER LIMITED 4x4]

Hi, I got a great deal on a set of BF Goodrich 31x10.5R15 Mud Terrain tires and I was wondering if they would sap all the power that I have from my '93 Limited Explorer. I don't have much to begin with as far as acceleration is concerned with anyway, being that I have the 3.23 rear axle. My Explorer is stock as far as height goes. As of right now, I have 235x75R15 Firestone Wilderness AT's on it. Would this size tire be too much for this rear end? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[FMExplorer]

Hey guy,
I have a '93xlt with 31x10.50's with very little power loss. Check your gears though. I have 3.27's on mine. I may be wrong (which is often Dead Link Removed) but I believe the gear choices are 3.08, .27, .73, 4.10 for that year. Sounds like you have 3.27's or 3.73's - either way you should be fine.

Jon M

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT
K&N Drop-In
Modified Airbox
Kenwood Audio w/ 6-disc changer
31x10.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers
Rancho RS5000's

Next project: visit http://www.jonmcleod.com for more info!

 

[Maniak]

We had a set of 30x9.50 Yokohama Geolander MT's with the 3.27 gears and we were not happy with the acceleration. When we were ready for the 31's we got the gears done and the tires next day. We got the 4.10's and we have all that acceleration back and more. We love the 4.10



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Mark
mark@legendz.com
http://mark.legendz.com
Off-Road and Motorcycle Information, Pictures and Movies
Click Dead Link Removed to see our Explorer Specs

 

['93 EXPLORER LIMITED 4x4]

Jon, your right, I have 3.27 gears. My mistake. I am still wondering whether it would rob me of some power. My friend has a '91 EB Explorer and he has 3.73 gears in his. His Explorer is a lot more "peppy" as far as acceleration goes. I know that his would have no trouble turning those 31's, but I still question whether or not it is a wise move for me to switch to 31's without changing gears.

 

[kvo]

If you think your acceleration was bad before, it will become anemic with the bigger tires. If you have 3.73, you will not see a significant drop but with 3.27 gears, it would seriously hurt acceleration, zapped hill climbing power and towing power. The only thing it will help you (once you got moving) is the increased in gas mileage. But then you'll loose all of it and more trying to accelerate!!! Plus your tires are MT that's the worst combo you could have with 3.27 gears!

If and when you decide to go off-road and attemt a hill climb, your gears will be subjected to a lot more stress and could result in gear breakage.

FYI - Explorers did not come with 4.10 gears until the recent models (95+).

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'91 4-DR EB
San Jose, CA
2.5" Rancho, RS 9000, 32" BFG AT KO

 

[Stephen S]

This is an old thread, but I have the same problem. Anyone else have any opinions on whether 31's and 3.27s are a bad move for a 95 XLT 4x2 with an auto trans??

 

[Byrd91]

I would put on the tires and see how you like it. The only thing is you might decide to do gears. I wouldn't do the gears without trying it first, that could be just a waste of money. My dad has a 95 with an auto and 3.27s and has plenty of power with 235s so I would say regearing is probably not necessary. A first gen engine and a manual tranny probably, but not yours. Give it a try.

 

[Stephen S]

Yeah, I'd have to say that I am also pretty pleased with the trucks performance with the 235s. Which is why I was thinking that I could live with the changes the 31's would bring. Re-gearing is definitely out of the question right now (too much $$$). I was just hoping to get by with what I had and be alright with the 31s.

 

[KEbert]

Since you have an auto, I would not reccomend it. It puts evem more stress on an already weak transmission and that is never good. As far as I am considered, my 31's are too big for my 3.55's. So really it depends on your driving style and situation.

 

[Alec]

I was running 3.27s with my 31s for a while, but also I have gobs of torque from the s/c so that kinda made up for it. For a while it's fine, but you want to eventually upgrade.

 

[toad]

I have 3.27s and 31s and dont notice alot of difference, I dont tow the snowmobiles in OD , but not that bad , but I dont exactly drive like Steve McQueen either, off road thats what 4low is for. I save the street hotrodding for the Stang. depends on how ya drive.

Edit-check this thread out Dead Link Removed

 

[Stephen S]

Thanks for the replies guys. Toad, I hit that thread too. I did a lot of searching for old threads to kick back up before I tried to post a new thread. Posted in 2 of them cause of the urgency of the dilemma.

It seems that most everyone who replied said it wouldn't be too much of a problem, providing I don't drive like a madman, which I don't. I like to baby my truck--it's gotta last me while. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ryan1]

this is way off the subject but I didnt think they started making Limited Explorers untill 94

Ryan

 

[jeffseal]

OK, dont yell at me but i have 33 1250 mud terrains with 3.27's the exploder is slow as hell but i didnt build it to be a race car.

Also how much is the going rate to install a ring and pinion for just the rear 8.8