4.10 vs. 4.56 with 31's

[timtimtimajim]

So now that my Ex is lifted, it's time to start thinking about re-gearing. Currently I have the stock 3.73 with 31 inch Duratracs. 33's are a possibility, but not definite because I would want to make sure I can run 33's without rubbing too much as I don't want to trim fenders on this Explorer.

I know that 4.10 with 31 will be pretty much the same as the stock 3.73 with 235/75R15. Which I would be okay with. However I still struggled on hills with stock gears and tires. I don't really care about power off the line or how fast I can accelerate. But I would really like to have more power over hills/mountain passes.

That's where 4.56 would come in. If I run these with 31's I would have more power, especially climbing hills. But my gas milage and top speed would suffer. However I feel like it would not be by much. Milage couldn't be much worse than it is right now with 3.73 and 31's (about 16 combined mileage). Top speed I don't care about too much as long as I can do 70 mph without the engine screaming. Plus if I do decide to go to 33's I would have the gearing for it. But once again, I'll only run 33's if the rubbing would be minimal.

It would be nice if there was a 4.30 available for the 35 ttb, because this would probably be a nice ratio to meet in the middle.

So what do you guys think? 4.10 or 4.56? The Ex is currently my daily, but will eventually just be a wheeling/camping/overlanding vehicle. I really need more power to make it over hills and mountain passes, Especially if I'm driving several hundred miles for wheeling/overlanding it would be nice to have more power.

 

[Rhett]

I'd say if you plan to run 33's possibly, then you may want to only regear once....4.56. The allure of 4.10's would be, I suppose, that you could cruise on the highway with more ease. You could also run 32's, which might make your decision easier.

I'm sure you've seen TRS's gear chart:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.shtml

If I'm reading the chart properly....I don't think your rpm's would be obnoxious with overdrive:
31's + 4.56 @ 70 mph = about 3000-3100 rpm
Whereas with 31's + 4.10 @ 70 mph = about 2700-2800 rpm

 

[Rick]

I concur. If 33s are in your future do the 4:56s. 4:56s will be fun with the 31s, lots of low end torque, but will definitely have the issues you already mentioned.

 

[timtimtimajim]

I guess something else I should keep in mind is all the weight that is going to get added to the Ex. I'll be adding a lot of stuff: tire carrier, hidden winch, sliders, roof rack with a RTT, skid plates, etc. All the stuff needed to have a good camping/overlanding vehicle. So I guess that would be another reason to go for the 4.56. I'll need the extra power to haul all of that weight, plus whatever other gear I have to carry

 

[Rhett]

What gearset are you looking at? Around here one of the gear shops promotes Yukon gears, but I don't know one maker from another on gears. Does that matter?

 

[jd4242]

4.56 never fear the gear

 

[timtimtimajim]

What gearset are you looking at? Around here one of the gear shops promotes Yukon gears, but I don't know one maker from another on gears. Does that matter?

I was looking at Yukon. Sound like the best gears out there in the research I've done. I don't know if brand really does matter. I just know from the research that some brands seems to be of higher quality and quieter.

 

[Bootless]

All I'm saying is I'm running 31 inch boggers with 3.27 on my 94 no complaints

 

[jd4242]

I was looking at Yukon. Sound like the best gears out there in the research I've done. I don't know if brand really does matter. I just know from the research that some brands seems to be of higher quality and quieter.

Ive got yukon 4.88s and aussie locked front/rear..also got heavy/big 36x14.50s and beat on it,they've head up great..wished i went 5.13 tho..i had 4.88s and a set of street 33s and LOVED it,back when i dd it and would switch tires

 

[timtimtimajim]

Ive got yukon 4.88s and aussie locked front/rear..also got heavy/big 36x14.50s and beat on it,they've head up great..wished i went 5.13 tho..i had 4.88s and a set of street 33s and LOVED it,back when i dd it and would switch tires

That's good to know actually! Thanks!

So what I'm looking at is Yukon front and rear (most likely 4.56) with Eaton e-lockers front and rear as well. I like the idea of selectable lockers rather than automatic lockers

 

[Rhett]

That's good to know actually! Thanks!

So what I'm looking at is Yukon front and rear (most likely 4.56) with Eaton e-lockers front and rear as well. I like the idea of selectable lockers rather than automatic lockers

I'm going to have to check on the Eaton e-locker. I was thinking a Torsen rear, the Torsen T-2R is for a 31 spline 8.8.
https://torsen.com/

Also...take a look at glfredrick's post #17 in the below thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/another-q-on-gearing.169749/

 

[timtimtimajim]

I'm going to have to check on the Eaton e-locker. I was thinking a Torsen rear, the Torsen T-2R is for a 31 spline 8.8.
https://torsen.com/

Also...take a look at glfredrick's post #17 in the below thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/another-q-on-gearing.169749/

I had thought about going for a Torsen or Detroit in the rear at one point. What made me decide against it is the fact that I want to know that the differential is locked in and won't come unlocked. Regardless though, Torsen diffs are really good.

That post is a really good bit of information actually. I think after reading that I'm basically decided now. 4.56 it is

 

[Rhett]

What concerns me about the Eaton e-locker is the wiring. I wonder how it would be routed, and how well protected it would be?

 

[timtimtimajim]

I was kinda concerned about that too. But I'm thinking if I route it kinda like brake lines are then the issues should be kept to a minimum. Well I hope anyway

 

[jd4242]

I was kinda concerned about that too. But I'm thinking if I route it kinda like brake lines are then the issues should be kept to a minimum. Well I hope anyway

Me personally id run a aussie/lunch box or even a ford racing pack with carbon fiber clutches in the rear to save some money..

 

[Rhett]

Me personally id run a aussie/lunch box or even a ford racing pack with carbon fiber clutches in the rear to save some money..

I had thought about going for a Torsen or Detroit in the rear at one point. What made me decide against it is the fact that I want to know that the differential is locked in and won't come unlocked. Regardless though, Torsen diffs are really good.

The thing about Torsen diffs is that, as I understand it, they have no clutches to wear. But I still need to look into that with greater detail -- it could be that something ELSE is going to wear in the diff. The Ford Racing LS pack etc. all use clutches and they wear out over time. Also no wires with Torsen diffs, as I understand it. Then again, as you mention, with an air locker or the e-locker I assume you will know if you're in or out. Whereas with the Torsen, there is wizardry going on in that little diff and who knows what else. Gerbils on their exercise wheels maybe.

That post is a really good bit of information actually. I think after reading that I'm basically decided now. 4.56 it is

Glfredrick gives / gave pretty good info always. I'll probably be running 32's (and may end up doing a 4" lift + 33's eventually) so I'm just about settled on 4.56 also. I won't be installing my front coils / tires until March/April though -- I need the truck in service this winter in case it snows. Truck has a little rake due to the lift being installed on the rear and not the front.

 

[timtimtimajim]

You're right, no wires for the Torsen. The way I understand that it works is that it has helical gears rather than clutches. They essentially do the same thing as clutch packs, but are a bit stronger and lock in a bit better. So basically wizardry.

Glfredrick gives / gave pretty good info always. I'll probably be running 32's (and may end up doing a 4" lift + 33's eventually) so I'm just about settled on 4.56 also. I won't be installing my front coils / tires until March/April though -- I need the truck in service this winter in case it snows. Truck has a little rake due to the lift being installed on the rear and not the front.

The only thing that is really steering me away from running either 32's or 33's in the future is the fact that the stock wheels are not wide enough for 11.5/12.5 wide tires and don't have quite enough backspacing. And I really don't want to put aftermarket wheels on this Ex. You'll be really happy once you get the coils on. Makes the ride so much better. It's funny, our Explorers are already very similar and we're both doing similar lifts.

 

[cloaked_chaos]

I run 35 inch tires with stock 3.73 gears. The pain is real.

 

[timtimtimajim]

Slight change of plans probably. Still going 4.56 with an E-locker up front. But I'm thinking about going with a Detroit locker in the rear. Makes things a little simpler and this way I won't have an open diff in the back when the e-locker would be disengaged. Plus on top of that my parents have a 2000 GMC Sierra with the factory Eaton G80 locker in it and I really like the way it drives/handles with the G80 on the pavement and has good traction off road.

Anybody have experience with the Detroit? How do you like it?

 

[yostyexplorer94]

I've had good experience with my detroits (front and rear). It is a very predictable auto locker and works well on the street.