Changing Gearing

[James909]

I have a 92 XLT 4x4 with 3.27 gears. I am looking to upgrade to 3.73 gears for towing purposes. I am hoping to do this very cheaply, like under $500. Is this even possible? If I can't do it that cheap then I won't bother and will just suffer with this gearing. My X has 157K miles already and I will eventually buy a V8 explorer for towing which is why I don't want to spend a ton of money. I was thinking of just seeing if I could find a donor truck and just swap the rear ends and ttb. Does this sound like a bad idea? Also, how long do differentials usually last? I don't want to buy one with 200k miles on it and have it break. What trucks have the same rear end and ttb that I do? Would this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=110235652870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001 be an exact fit? I am pretty mechanically inclined but I have no differential knowledge. Would something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...viewitem=&item=220214406005&_trksid=p3907.m32 require professional installation? I am not very familiar with the ttb do I have to replace the entire set up or can I just replace the differential? Sorry about all the questions, I am just trying to get a feel as to whether or not this is worth doing. Thanks for the help. -James

 

[MountaineerGreen]

The average person cannot setup their own gears, it requires expertise and special equipment. I'd say its not very likely you can change gears for under $500, gearsets and bearings for the rebuild should cost near to $200 per axle, and pending the shop rate labor can be expensive.

If you could be lucky enough to find an Explorer in a salvage yard with 3.73's, you could change the axles over, it may save some money.

 

[Willard]

There's no way you can do gears for under $500.

Your best bet is to find another donor explorer with 3.73s (or even 4.10s if you want) and swap axles. I wouldn't worry a huge amount with mileage, although a higher mileage one may need a couple seals replaced.

 

[James909]

Thanks for the replies, I was doubtful that it could be done that cheap, I was just kind of hoping. I will start looking for a 4x4 with 3.73's or 4.10's if I'm lucky enough to find one and just swap the parts over. What trucks will have these parts that will fit? Only explorers? I just want to know what kind of donor vehicles I should be looking for. Also does anyone know if this:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=110235652870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001 will fit? That would be awesome if it did because it is cheap and close to me.

 

[Willard]

You have to find the axles from explorers. The F-150 one won't work, since it's full width and spring over.

Also make sure you get it from a '91-'94 explorer. After that, the suspension setup changes.

 

[James909]

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

 

[James909]

One more question, are there any years or models of explorers that only had the 3.73 gears? For instance I heard that the 3.27 gears weren't introduced until 92, so all the 91's had 3.73 gears, correct? Also I heard that all EB explorers had 3.73 gears, is this true? I would normally check the tag but I am looking at online salvages for a donor truck so that information may not be available. Thanks, James

 

[Willard]

One more question, are there any years or models of explorers that only had the 3.73 gears? For instance I heard that the 3.27 gears weren't introduced until 92, so all the 91's had 3.73 gears, correct? Also I heard that all EB explorers had 3.73 gears, is this true? I would normally check the tag but I am looking at online salvages for a donor truck so that information may not be available. Thanks, James

I'm pretty sure all gears were available for all years and trim levels. I know my EB has 3.27's so that proves EB's weren't just 3.73's. Keep in mind, too that there are many different gear combinations. There is 3.08, 3.27, 3.55, 3.73, and 4.10. I believe only the 3.73's and 4.10's came in a limited slip option.

 

[KJMac]

My `93 EB has 3.55

 

[James909]

Sorry to dig up this thread but I just have a few simple questions that I didn't want to start a new thread for. Well I bought a '99 LS rear end with 3.73's and only 25k miles that I plan on swapping in this weekend. My question is does anyone happen to know what speedometer gear I have to swap in to go with the 3.73's? I have stock size tires. I know I could find out how far off my speedometer is and how many teeth are on the current gear and find out that way but I was hoping to swap in the new speedometer gear at the same time as the rear end. Also I plan on changing the differential oil before I put the rear end in. I am going to put in 75w 140 Mobil 1. Do I still have to add the friction modifier for the LS even though it's Mobil 1? Or does the Mobil 1 already have enough friction modifier in it? Thanks.