gearing for 33's

[WickedWindsor]

First off, I have a 351, yes tonnes of torque!
But, I must say after installing 4.10's, I would definitely go with at least 4.56's next time. Why? Highway driving in overdrive puts me around 1700 rpm with 33's at around 60 mph. I just put my stock tires back on and the rpms are at around 2000 rpm at the same speed. There's lots of room for more gearing!
I'm sure if I still had the 4.0, I'd be screaming for more gearing though.
Am I happy with 4.10's? Hell ya! Would I be happier with 4.56's? DEFINITELY!

 

[HahnsB2]

Yeah. So you picked 2 vehicles at total opposite ends of the spectrum. I think we all know what the difference would be like.

I was commenting on my own personal experience with bigger tires.

I notice you are running 34's with 4.10's. How does that set up work for you? Do you feel the need to go to 4.56's or are the 4.10's getting the job done?

I know it's extreme opposite ends of the spectrum but when you have more power/torque to work with tire size and gears become less important.
I run 33x10.50 BFGs on the street (but they're the same size and my 34s) and 4.10s is not enough, I'm currently putting 4.56s in a 31 spline 8.8 to throw in my rig and I have a 4.56 D35 pig ready to drop in. I think 4.10s were perfect with 31s, with my 2.9 and 4.0.

 

[Cozmik]

I know it's extreme opposite ends of the spectrum but when you have more power/torque to work with tire size and gears become less important.
I run 33x10.50 BFGs on the street (but they're the same size and my 34s) and 4.10s is not enough, I'm currently putting 4.56s in a 31 spline 8.8 to throw in my rig and I have a 4.56 D35 pig ready to drop in. I think 4.10s were perfect with 31s, with my 2.9 and 4.0.

Cool. Now if someone with a 4.0 was going to regear, are 4.56's for the 8.8 and D35 readily available and reasonable cost? (I'm asking because I don't know) It just seems that 4.10's would be ok, and cheaper and easier to find for a budget build. ( If money is a concern for the builder )

 

[91exploreron37]

Yes 4.56s are as readily available as 4.10s brand new. 4.10s are only cheaper if you find a factory 4.10 geared axle at the junkyard and swap the whole axle in since you dont have to pay somebody to install the gears.

 

[Cozmik]

Yes 4.56s are as readily available as 4.10s brand new. 4.10s are only cheaper if you find a factory 4.10 geared axle at the junkyard and swap the whole axle in since you dont have to pay somebody to install the gears.

Sorry, I meant are they as available if you're junkyard diving. Brand new anything goes.

 

[91exploreron37]

No 4.56 are not common in the junkyard at all. I think some of the FX4 rangers may have come with them.

 

[Flip4ford]

Kinda sounds like you mind is made up on the 4:10s... You'd be happier with 4:56s... I am.

 

[Cozmik]

Kinda sounds like you mind is made up on the 4:10s... You'd be happier with 4:56s... I am.

I'm content with my 3.73's. If I need more I've got 4.10's sitting in the driveway waiting. This thread isn't about me or what I want/need. Just trying to learn somemore about gearing.

 

[4x4junkie]

I have 33" tires and 4.10s with a 4.0L V6. It's adequate... but nothing more.

Go with 4.56. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Dannyboy]

Phillip, I will say like the others, if you search you will find the answer.

BUT

the best value/upgrade for the buck
1) find a 4.10 axle at a junkyard. These come in the second gen explorers, it will also give you disc brakes. You can probably take this home for $250
2) buy 4.10 gears for the front (diffs on 1st gen and 2nd gen are different)
3) in a rare case you may find a 4.10 front Dana35 in a Ranger, but beware of the hybrid 35 axle that isn't as strong.

IF you found that setup there would be no setting up gears, so it would be bolting on parts.

If you buy new gears you also need master install kits, the $600 figure is probably close to the do-it-yourself price with new gears and install kits.

If it were me, I'd go 4.56 on 33s, some guys like 4.10s on 33s, some guys run 33s on 3.27s but remember Ford engineered the Explorer to run 4.10 on stock 29" tires in some second gens, therefore it's all about what you want it to do.

 

[jumpn4jesus]

I can't find anywhere online that sells 4.10's for the ex? What's up with that. Only one site that is impossible to nav.

 

[seth247]

Summit racing sells many ratios for the ford 8.8. Up to I think 4.88.

Most are under the mustangs. But I assume the gears are the same...

 

[jumpn4jesus]

Summit racing sells many ratios for the ford 8.8. Up to I think 4.88.

Most are under the mustangs. But I assume the gears are the same...

I don't need them for the 8. I can just get the whole set up from a 2nd gen with disc's and 4.10. I need them for the d35. That's my issue.

 

[91exploreron37]

Yea just search for gears for a Ford 8.8 and Dana 35(reverse rotation). Heres a few sites:
http://completeoffroad.com/c-59814-ford-8-8.html
http://completeoffroad.com/c-59812-dana-35-m35.html
http://www.trsfabandoffroad.com/products/gears.htm
http://www.ringpinion.com/Models.aspx?SearchMode=Make&MakeID=2&MakeName=Ford+/+Lincoln+/+Mercury
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294925134+4294839047+4294918962+115+4294895110

 

[jumpn4jesus]

Yea just search for gears for a Ford 8.8 and Dana 35. Heres a few sites:

I see them now. Would this one work for the front? I though it had to be 31 spline? And what's up with the 4:11?

 

[seth247]

Ah ok I was wondering why you would be looking for them. I didn't have any sources for the 35.

 

[Phillip C.]

ok ok you have me convinced on the 4.56's. how much do you think a shop would charge to install front and rear???any ideas

 

[storlied]

$600 upward toward a grand..................

 

[dllb]

^ Thats about the price out here. Midwest. Just got quoted last week. Rear axle 4.5hrs=400 dollars. Front axle 5.80hrs=600 dollars. OUCH.

 

[1993fordexploere]

you originally running 3.27s then i would get either 3.73's or 4.10. those you can find in a used explorer axle and save tons. i am running my stock 3.73 gears and have ran them for about 7 or 8 months with my 33,s and they feel right. im not worried about changing gears but i do eventually want to because mine came stokc with 3.73 gears. even though people say that 3.73's arent good i say they are fine imo