Is 3.73 that different.

[wpurple]

Currently have 3.27 4L OHV 5 spd manual w/235 15's
would going to 3.73 be that noticable? (in a towing application?)

TIA,
Kurt

 

[Jason_25]

No it really wouldn't, if you're considering regearing go with 4.10's. That will make a significant improvement not only in towing, but the truck will just be more fun to drive in general.

 

[jssong]

what do u mean by more fun to drive?

 

[james t]

fun to drive meaning more power, better throttle response, etc. and 3:73's WOULD be a big improvement, but i would go ahead and go 4:10's. my $0.02.

 

[wpurple]

comprimise

I would agree that 4.10's would give me all the above but I do have and will keep the stock 235 15's and since I tow out of OD, 70mph with 4.10's would be whining out at 3500 RPM! (3.73's = 2900 in 4th)
I thought that 3.73's would be a comprimise, better towing, better throttle response, easer to start of in 1st with a trailer but still OK as a daily highway driver.

I did find a front and rear in a bone yard with 30K miles (from a 99) on them, just waiting for a price from a garage for the install.

 

[jssong]

if i do mostly highway driving, with little or no towing, but still once in a while, go mudding, would 3.73 or 410 gears be better? what about gas mpg?

 

[james t]

it depends on what size (diameter) tires your gonna run. gas mileage with the 3:73's will be same/maybe a little worse than what your getting now. it all depends on what type of driving you do. every time i do a gear change my mileage usually suffers the first couple of weeks; probably because with the new found power im runnin' the crap out of it.

 

[james t]

that was supposed to have read gear changes on several vehicles that i have had in the past. now that i just read my post, it looked like i was talking about changing gears on my X all of the time.

 

[wpurple]

clarification of usage

I do 50% highway/50% city driving. I tow quite a bit, and do tow a decent load (for the manual transmission)
I will keep the 235 15's and don't do off road.
The 3.73's "on the book" gives me another 1000# of towing capacity. Being that I am over the limit already for the manual transmission scenerio the 3.73's have to help? The rating for 3.27 is 1850# and the 3.73 is 2800# and my camper weighs 3200# not including family and all my son's toys...

TIA

Kurt

 

[james t]

then 3:73's will DEFINATELY help you out. man, i couldnt imagine towing a 3000lb.+ load with a V6 and 3:27's. that must be REAL fun.

 

[Robert]

In '97, when Ford equipped an Explorer with 235 75R15 tires and the towing package, they installed the 3.73 axle. They never installed a 4.10 axle with 235 tires. The 3.73 axle would keep your engine RPM in a range that Ford designed it to operate in. I think 4.10 for 235 tires would be overkill once you got on the highway. A 3.73 will definately be noticeable when taking off and would make towing easier. A 4.10 might be OK if you rarely leave the city, but since you said you are towing a pop-up trailer, I don't think that is the case. Remember that even with the 3.73 you are already exceeding the towing limits of your Explorer and your clutch life will bear that out.

 

[james t]

couldnt have said it better myself.

 

[wpurple]

Yes, very well put.
My 97 stated tow prep on the sticker but I think all that meant was super cooling and wiring, although the wiring wasn't there.
It was a leftover in 98 and got a great deal on it as I wanted a manual otherwise I would have ordered 3.73LS.
I realize that I am over the tow limit of the transmission but I am still in the capabilities of the truck. I have been towing since it was new and never had any trouble, I am just as nice as nice can be to the clutch but I think that the lower gearing will give me a more comfortable edge when starting out on a hill or more importantly backing up and maneuvering within the campground itself. Once I am up on the highway, the 3.27's are OK but I think that the 3.73's would help in regard to approaching a moderate grade that I wouldn't or may not need to downshift to 3rd as much.
If I have to go through a clutch every 5 or so years, so be it, I would rather take a Saturaday afternoon and do that then burn out a automatic and leave a rebuild up to someone else.

Thanks for all the help, just waiting for the pricing on the labor to change the axles, not sure I want to tackle that myself as the front may be tricky and it is just difficult to find the time these days.

Kurt

 

[haktmal]

I know this post was kinda old, but I have a 98 OHV 4.0 Sport.
Will going 4.10 with 31" tire be putting strain on my transmission?

Thanks

Nathan

 

[Jason_25]

haktmal, you should have no problems with that setup assuming you have the computer reprogrammed.

 

[Byrd91]

I have 3.73s for sale, however my front came out of a TTB, and I believe the IFS and TTB gears are different, can anyone confirm or deny.

 

[nak4af]

wpurple!

Just some FYI!

I just swapped out my 3.73 gears with some 4.56 gears. I have the front and rear gears I will sell amazingly cheap! The front gears are reverse rotation, which translates to $$$$. Not sure if the front diff for your truck is the same as mine! If you want them, I'll sell for $150 plus shipping!

If you or anyone else is interested, send an email to christopher.lloyd@elmendorf.af.mil.

Later everyone!

 

[Robb]

The front D35 r&p on the second gens is not reverse cut. And to be honest, I have never noticed a price difference between standard and reverse cut gears.

 

[nak4af]

How about this for a price difference...

1993 sport; rear 8.8 w/ 4.56, $270, front D35 w/ 4.56 reverse cut, $409.

Believe me, I called everywhere to get the lowest price!

 

[Byrd91]

Hey now, I've been trying to sell my 3.73s for 2 weeks. I thought you were going to use yours in your other Explorer anyway.