Help on Gearing and tires (1st Gen)

[Feonix1123]

Hey guys i need some help here Im new to the gears and 35 inch tire deal. Im here to ask some questions and hope i could get some real great answers.. Thank you all for the help.


Okay i have a 93 explore sport 5-speed check out my pics on my elite and profile of my new 3 inch BL.

Well i want to run 35 inch tires on my ex I kno i will have to install my 4inch lift kit 1st or i will have to chop up the fenders. Okay i was talking to people they say i have to re gear my ex to make the tires and the truck work and performe better.

I have been browseing all the threads here and seen that if i ran 35's i should run gears at 4:88. The ex should run great and perform well okay im up to running 35's and re gearing my ex to 4:88.

Now here is the question What would i have to buy or change or could i buy stock parts or do i have to remod the whole frontend or what would be the whole works. Im sorry its a dumb questing but im new to this and would really love to know what i would have to do to make my ex run 35's smooth.

Im willing to do the job right and what it is going to cost me i might as well do it the right way..


I do thank you guys/gals for all the help

thank you

Dennis

 

[Feonix1123]

Also i forgot to ask are the stock ex steel rims 12.50 or will 35x12.50x15 tires fit on the stock rims??



Thanks


Dennis

 

[4x4junkie]

4.88 is definitely a good gear choice. Might even go 5.13 gears if it won't see a lot of freeway miles.

As for doing the job the right way... if you don't know what all you need to get, I would have a rearend shop do the gear installation.
Gears are normally not something for the average mechanic, they have to be precisely setup to work properly. if they're off even a few thousandths they could fail after as little as 500 miles. Numerous specialized tools are needed to complete the installation as well.

I would expect to pay around $600 or so for parts, and another $400-600 for labor (to do both axles). Depending on the shop, you may be able to save a good chunk by just taking the axles in yourself (the front 3rd in particular), rather than have them disassemble everything on the truck there.


Stock rims are either 15x6 or 15x7. You need a 15x8 to mount a 12.50 wide tire.


hope that helps

 

[Feonix1123]

4.88 is definitely a good gear choice. Might even go 5.13 gears if it won't see a lot of freeway miles.

As for doing the job the right way... if you don't know what all you need to get, I would have a rearend shop do the gear installation.
Gears are normally not something for the average mechanic, they have to be precisely setup to work properly. if they're off even a few thousandths they could fail after as little as 500 miles. Numerous specialized tools are needed to complete the installation as well.

I would expect to pay around $600 or so for parts, and another $400-600 for labor (to do both axles). Depending on the shop, you may be able to save a good chunk by just taking the axles in yourself (the front 3rd in particular), rather than have them disassemble everything on the truck there.


Stock rims are either 15x6 or 15x7. You need a 15x8 to mount a 12.50 wide tire.


hope that helps

Wow i guess thats alot of work then to just throw 35's on my ex i knew it was going to be a job but was not sure. Thanks

Okay well now that i know that i will have to save about 2k for my ex to put 35's on. What other Tires would fit on my ex without changing the gears or does it not matter or does it still have to be done? Also without Killing the ex by running it too hard without regearing.

My goal is to put a 4inch kit on ex along with my 3inch BL which is allrady installed and as big as a tire i could go without alot of mods at this point.


Also if i am at 3inch BL and go with 4inch lift kit i'll be 7inches and i would like to go a little wider on my tires. So i thought if i kept it around 12.50 it should be okay Right or no. Any ida's Please anyone speak on in

Thank you


Dennis

 

[JDraper]

Unless you got lucky and had 3.73's from the factory, any tire size increase above 31's really should come with a gear change. The transmissions just aren't stout enough to take the stress for long, plus the truck will be a dog to drive.

As for tire size on stock rims, you can run 12.5" wide tires. I'm on 33 x 12.5's with my stock rims (and I have 4.56 gears).

 

[Feonix1123]

Unless you got lucky and had 3.73's from the factory, any tire size increase above 31's really should come with a gear change. The transmissions just aren't stout enough to take the stress for long, plus the truck will be a dog to drive.

As for tire size on stock rims, you can run 12.5" wide tires. I'm on 33 x 12.5's with my stock rims (and I have 4.56 gears).

Wow

Thanks for the info great info answerd my question about useing stock rims.

Im still lost on gears though LOL sorry guys still a newbie LOL.

Ok i understand that the ex has 2 axle 1 front and 1 rear and that in the middle is a big pumpkin with gears. I understand that i have to change thoes gears when chngeing tires or should.

okay my understanding do i have to do BOTH front and rear?? same gears on both???

Also i have looking on 4wheelparts.com in the drivetrain and differential section. There is so much to look at to try to understand this ..

i guess i just dont understand what my front axles are any ida??

i feel dumb asking theese questions and retarted begging for answers.

thank you all

Dennis

 

[Feonix1123]

Forgot to add oopz


I guess im just saying i would like bigger tires on my ex cause of my new 3inch BL. I just dont know where to start other than just get tires and put on no big deal but when it comes to gears forget about it. Im lost in space


Dennis

 

[CodePoet]

Yes, your front and rear axles must be geared the same or when you put it in 4x4 you'll destroy any number of parts.


Your front axle is a dana 35 ttb

 

[JDraper]

You have to run the same gears in both axles. If you don't, one set of wheels will try to turn faster than the others, and this will bind up and break the drivetrain.

Your front axle is a Dana 35 reverse rotation TTB and your rear axle is a Ford 8.8.

 

[Feonix1123]

You have to run the same gears in both axles. If you don't, one set of wheels will try to turn faster than the others, and this will bind up and break the drivetrain.

Your front axle is a Dana 35 reverse rotation TTB and your rear axle is a Ford 8.8.

Okay great i understand that part went online and even priced it on 4wheelparts.com.

So before i buy tires i should have my gears put in? Also i take it from the 1st time i asked it would be easyeir for a shop to install my gears for me instead of me trying to do it. I better not Or do you guys just think i should just buy the whole axle on 4wheel parts.com comes complete.

Or whats the best advise for me as of this point?

 

[Feonix1123]

I was talking to a friend i told him i want to run 35 inch tires he was wondering if it would work by going to a junk yard and grabbing some bigger axles would that work. Also does anyone kno if the dana 44 complete axle would work on theese explores.?

 

[JDraper]

The rear axle in the Explorer is already reasonably stout. The Ford 8.8 is a fairly decent axle. The Dana 35 up front is light, but to put a '44 up there you either need to do a SAS (major mods) or shorten up an F-150 TTB (again, major mods and not worth the hassle. SAS is better choice).

 

[Feonix1123]

The rear axle in the Explorer is already reasonably stout. The Ford 8.8 is a fairly decent axle. The Dana 35 up front is light, but to put a '44 up there you either need to do a SAS (major mods) or shorten up an F-150 TTB (again, major mods and not worth the hassle. SAS is better choice).

Hey


Thanks i have been reading and reading all day on this site seeing what my other options are. I did see what you meant on the ford 150 and the SAS so even though some post on the axle thread said a sas is not worth it.

So if i did a sas would i be doing both front and rear as well


I also called ford as well my gears are set at 3:27 and i will not be able to set my gears up at 4:88 4wheelparts said i could go 4:65 or 5:13 but being a everyday truck i should go with 4:65. But no 35's so now im wondering if i should do some kida axle Swap.

I have been reading online and i kida figuer if i go with the axle swaps i'll be saveing a little money instead of buying the lift kit to fit the 35's. The colis off the bigger truck would help the height right?

Well if anyone thinks i should just go withxle swap which one would be about the best coiuld be hard but not too hard.. Anyone??


My goal is to put 35's on my truck without cutting fenders by installing a lift kit but install gears or have them installed. Not paying $2600 to have a shop do it 1st quote of the day. And now i can't 4:88 on my stock dana 35 front axle.. AS THEY SAY

Looking for info to see what i can do here.

Dennis

 

[JDraper]

On 35's you will want 5:13's no matter what. I have 4.56's on 33's and it's just about right. Anything less and you will be sluggish on 35's.

A different axle won't give you lift. That's why there are lift kits out there and why people do spring over axle conversions on the rear. Even if you swap axles, you'll still have to lift the truck. If you're not going to offroad it very hard, then I'd do an SOA on the rear (Using the factory axle with new gears) and a lift kit on the nose (with the factory axle and new gears). If you're going to offroad it a lot then do a SAS on the front to a D-44 or D60 and still use the 8.8" rear.

From what you've written, I think you need to do a LOT more research first before you start spending $$.

 

[Feonix1123]

Hey Thanks alot for all your help



I think i kno what im going to do 1st worry about buying my 4inch lift kit 1st.
Then i'll throw some gears in both axles to match the 33 inch tires. Run the piss out of it breake some things as im doing that i'll be setting up for a new project.


What do you all think about that i have to get my truck ready to go wheeling this feb 17th im going to Rausch Creek Off Road Park...

 

[CodePoet]

Hey Thanks alot for all your help



I think i kno what im going to do 1st worry about buying my 4inch lift kit 1st.
Then i'll throw some gears in both axles to match the 33 inch tires. Run the piss out of it breake some things as im doing that i'll be setting up for a new project.


What do you all think about that i have to get my truck ready to go wheeling this feb 17th im going to Rausch Creek Off Road Park...

Should work pretty good. If you're going to just run the piss out of it (good man!) weld your rear end, and if you have the scratch put a lunchbox locker in the front.

 

[4x4junkie]

I was talking to a friend i told him i want to run 35 inch tires he was wondering if it would work by going to a junk yard and grabbing some bigger axles would that work. Also does anyone kno if the dana 44 complete axle would work on theese explores.?

The D44 axle is only marginally stronger than your D35 anyway (mostly limited to the outer hub & bearing design). There are ways to make the D35 hold up fine though, you just simply have to be careful you set the bearings up with the proper preload if you want to run big tires on it (the upgraded "Jeep" hubs (Warn pt# 37780) will help also)

There is no reason you can't run 4.88 gears in your frontend, there's not even a carrier break used on the TTB (unlike a Dana35 rearend has). I would still be considering 5.13 gears though unless you'll be on the freeway busting speed limits frequently.

 

[Feonix1123]

The D44 axle is only marginally stronger than your D35 anyway (mostly limited to the outer hub & bearing design). There are ways to make the D35 hold up fine though, you just simply have to be careful you set the bearings up with the proper preload if you want to run big tires on it (the upgraded "Jeep" hubs (Warn pt# 37780) will help also)

SO NO REALLY REASON WHY I NEED TO CHANGE MY FRONT AXLE JUST GEARS AND RUN IT AS IT IS..

here is no reason you can't run 4.88 gears in your frontend, there's not even a carrier break used on the TTB (unlike a Dana35 rearend has). I would still be considering 5.13 gears though unless you'll be on the freeway busting speed limits frequently.

OKAY SO I CAN RUN 4:88 BUT WOULD BE BETTER IF I RAN 5:13 IN MY FRONT DANA35 TTB NOW HOW FAST WE TALKING ABOUT OVER 55-65 ON FREEWAY?

AND FOR THE REAR I WOULD HAVE TO RUN THE SAME GEARS AS WELL AS THE FRONT. BUT BEING STOCK GEARS 3:27 I WOULD NEED A CARRIER INSTALLED TO RUN 4:88-5:13 RIGHT?

ALSO WHAT AXLE SHOULD I PUT THE LOCKER IN IM A LITTLE COMMFUSED WHERE I NEED TO INSTALL THE LOCKER.


DENNIS

 

[JDraper]

SO NO REALLY REASON WHY I NEED TO CHANGE MY FRONT AXLE JUST GEARS AND RUN IT AS IT IS..



OKAY SO I CAN RUN 4:88 BUT WOULD BE BETTER IF I RAN 5:13 IN MY FRONT DANA35 TTB NOW HOW FAST WE TALKING ABOUT OVER 55-65 ON FREEWAY?

AND FOR THE REAR I WOULD HAVE TO RUN THE SAME GEARS AS WELL AS THE FRONT. BUT BEING STOCK GEARS 3:27 I WOULD NEED A CARRIER INSTALLED TO RUN 4:88-5:13 RIGHT?

ALSO WHAT AXLE SHOULD I PUT THE LOCKER IN IM A LITTLE COMMFUSED WHERE I NEED TO INSTALL THE LOCKER.


DENNIS

First, please turn your cap lock off...it's considered yelling....

You will be able to run 75-80 without a problem on 5.13's with 35" tires.

You do not need to change carriers on the rear for higher gears. The Ford 8.8 does not have a carrier break. It's the same carrier for all gears.

If you're not offroading, don't put a locker in. If you are offroading and you're only installing one locker, put it in the rear.

 

[Feonix1123]

First, please turn your cap lock off...it's considered yelling....

You will be able to run 75-80 without a problem on 5.13's with 35" tires.

You do not need to change carriers on the rear for higher gears. The Ford 8.8 does not have a carrier break. It's the same carrier for all gears.

If you're not offroading, don't put a locker in. If you are offroading and you're only installing one locker, put it in the rear.

Okay sorry
its just looks bigger LOL

yes i may not go off roading alot but i still to go as well so i would like to put the locker in anyways. If its not going to matter i dont see opening the axle now put gears in then later put locker in. Trying to just get it all done the right way.

okay so i can adding a locker in the back it replaces putting a new carrier in?

Does that go for the same as the front axle change the gears and throw a locker in front as well. Or just the rear

whats is the best locker to use out there any ida anyone.

Again i thank you all for the info i just wish i could get this and get er done i feel like a pian in the ass keep asking and asking.

Dennis