How to change gears

[kenr74]

Can anybody recommend a good site or link that would explain what is involved with changing gears? I can't seem to find a step by step write up that anybody has done.

I lifted my X and put bigger tires on so now it's time for gears. I'd like to do it myself but don't want to get in over my head.

Thanks.

 

[unclemeat]

I don't think you are going to find a good write up on regearing. It takes special tools and experience. The tools cost almost as much as the labor to swap front and rear differentials. My regular mechanic would not even try it. He sent me to a 4x4 shop. If you improperly install gears, then the gears wont last, and that is the least bad thing that can happen.

 

[kenr74]

Ok, that's pretty much what I though. I keep hearing everybody changing gears though so it everybody having them done by a shop?

 

[RiverRat]

Ok, that's pretty much what I though. I keep hearing everybody changing gears though so it everybody having them done by a shop?

Look up some of the mustang sites I have seen a few 8.8 writeups. Also, the ford service manuals have setup data.

 

[Mendonca00]

Take it to a shop...I ended up spending $600 in damage!

 

[Bronco638]

You could also do what I am planning to do. Buy diffs with the gears you want and swap them out. For instance, I plan to upgrade to 4.10s from 3.55s. After checking prices for parts and labor, it's cheaper to simply find a diff with the gears you want and do the swap (that is, unless, you're looking for 'uncommon' gear ratios like 4.56, 4.88 or 5.13). I've already purchased the front diff with 4.10s and now I plan to "refurbish" it by installing new end seals, new carrier bearings and a NoSpin locker. But, since I'm not changing the ring & pinion, I don't have to worry about pinion preload and ring gear backlash settings. Also, the front diff swap will be the most difficult. I'm 95% sure that I can remove the rear diff without having to crack open the brake lines. One last bonus, it's easier to work on the diffs before they're installed.

My $0.02 - Dave.

 

[CodePoet]

You can do that for the front but you can't remeove the pumpkin from the rear. You can that on the 9" but not the 8.8. When I do my sas i might go with full lenth axles from a ford truck...so the 9" option might be open to me. Anyway If you don't have access to the tools i'd say take it somewhere. If I don't get a 9" (the most likely scenario) i'll probably be doing the gears myself, but the explorer won't be a daily driver (so it could sit for months while I do it haha) and my father has all the special gauges from his line of work (tool and die). If I didn't have access to those tools, I wouldn't even consider it since i'm sure his instruments would cost hundreds of dollars if not more. If you want more info you could try to pm alsakanjack, he did his own, but he hasn't been around for awhile.

Just my .02 cents

 

[kenr74]

Yeah, the more I look into it the more I think it's way over my head. I'll leave this one to the pro's when I get some $$ saved up.

 

[JDraper]

Check out Randy's Ring and Pinion . They have all the info you will need to do it yourself in their on line library if you have the inclination to try it. I have set up 2 r&p's so far, and it's just a lot of patience and the right tools.. Good luck