Keep 3.73's or put back 3.27's

[wpurple]

A couple years ago I changed the axles in my Sport from 3.27 to 3.73's for towing, but now that I have my 5L Mounty I won't use my Sport for towing but my commute vehicle.
The 3.27's definatly gave me better mileage which I would need, but the 3.73 gave it the pep....

Should I put back the 3.27's or keep the 3.73's?

With the 3.27's I got 27mpg highway! I never got above 22 with 3.73's.

Thoughts, comments?

Thanks!

 

[Alec]

I don't think the gain in mileage will be enough to return the installation costs. Besides, faster is better

 

[dman726749]

i say keep the 3:73. you already have them in and its not that big of a diffrence so i would not take the time to do a swap

 

[Redrig]

Another vote for keeping them.

 

[wpurple]

Would sell the 3.73's

I am leaning toward swapping them like to return the truck to it's original state....plus mileage gain would be of benefit.

If I do, just wondering if anyone would be interested in a front and rear. It was originally from a 99 Explorer with 6700 miles on it. I put another 3000 on them.

All the seals have been replaced too.

I don't know what the shipping would be, but I could find out. Does anyone know the weight of a rear axle? I am guessing 200#?? This would determine whether a truck shipment or UPS (UPS has a limit of 150#)

 

[IAmTodd]

Why not go to 3.55s? Best of both worlds

 

[Alec]

trust me, the $$$ and hassle isn't worth it.

Lets say the labor and materials for the swap costs $600. Lets also say you'll get $300 for the gear sets (optimistic). So you're left with $300 to make up in gas costs.

Again estimating badly: with 3.73s you get 20mpg, with 3.27s you get 15mpg. You always go 300 miles between fillups. So with 3.73s you always fillup 15gallons, with 3.27s 20 gallons. It would take about a year to make up the $300 left from regearing, and that's optimistic.

I know my math estimates a lot, but the point still holds that it would take about a year or at least a year to make up the $$$, and you had to take the truck to a shop, and you had to sell the old gears, and you don't have the same power from the truck.

 

[wpurple]

Alec, I understand your analogy...
When I changed the axles before, I just swapped the whole axle's not the ring and pinion's so it would be an easy swap as it was before. I am hoping under $500
I saved the original axles.
I would really rather go back as I want to now keep the truck stock. The money to swap back isn't that much of an issue as I may need to depend on my truck to drive some distance to and from work as work could change so it would be nice to have the mileage back even though it would take some time to recoup the cost.
I put a call in this morning for labor costs to the garage that did the work originally. Plus if I can sell the axles locally I can recoup some of the costs.

What do you think the going rate for a set of 3.73's are going for?

 

[Alec]

Anywhere from $25-150 on ebay per axle. I sold mine for about $100 I believe, maybe less.

 

[unclemeat]

Why not change the tire size to 30.5 (235x75x15), if you have not already. IMO the 3.73 axle ratio is more desirable than the 3.27.

 

[wpurple]

Alex,
How did you ship your axles? (if you had to ship them)

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[Rhett]

Keep the 3.73's in the truck. 3.73's are a much more versatile and appropriate gearing for the truck. It will sell better with 3.73's in it. The only benefit of 3.27s is mileage. It's not worth it.

 

[wpurple]

I know the votes are against me but I am going ahead with the swap back.....
It goes in the shop next Wed.
The 3.73's go up for sale then. (takers?)

I think I may have thought a bit differently if they were 3.73LS but still at that I'm not sure.

 

[Alec]

whatever boats yer float, we were just trying to help. Sounds like you'd already made up your mind.

If you're just doing the axle swap why not wait til it warms up and do it yourself?

 

[wpurple]

I think your right Alec, I think my mind was made up before I even posed the question....but I do appreciate the comments and suggestions.

I had thought about doing the swap, at least the rear axle, but a project like that, for me it is easier to drop it off in the morning at the shop and pick it up in the afternoon although it does take the fun out of it.

I will try to sell the axels and recoup some of the cost at least.....I guess I just want my truck back to the way it was...completly stock.

I traded in my 82 Mustang GT that I had since 85 for my Mounty. I kept it mint and absolutly stock. My 97 Sport is now replacing my Mustang "Toy" and once my vehicle is classified as my "toy" I am extremly **** to keep it bone stock and all original. (It cost my an arm and a leg at times to buy Motocraft as opposed to a aftermarket)
Now my performance vehicle is the Mounty and my "Toy" is my Sport. Heck my Sport just turned 16000 miles today.

Again, thanks all for your comments, they really didn't go in vane...I have been finding out that life is too short to ponder what you want, just do what you want otherwise you may not get the chance......

 

[Bill Kemp]

Just to let you know......I would go w/the better milage also. About a 100 mi. more per tank. At 10,000 mi per year at 1.65 a gal. thats $138 a yr. Not bad.

 

[Alec]

Just devil's advocate: 3.73 would still be "stock".

 

[Byrd91]

I'm going to chime in here too and say that 3.27s will not give better gas mileage than 3.73s unless the driving is strictly flat highway. 3.27 is just a little too high geared for even a fresh 97 engine. My brother has a 95 and you can't use overdrive effectively until going over 65. I'd say save your tranny, and keep the 3.73s, or spend the labor costs on 30's or 31's. No way would I pay to swap from 3.73s to 3.27s.

 

[Billy177]

someone would have to pay me to swap in 3.27's i think that my 3.55's are too high of a gearing. 3.73 are still stock as it was an option from the factory