Need help-Ring & Pinion gears - 3.73 or 4.10

[riverst]

I currently upgraded my tires from 26.1" to 29.7". I currently have 3.27 gears now but ive noticed that my truck is slower and the speedometer is a little off. I do not to use my truck for offroading but I want some power at the wheels. From the advice I recieved from friends, they said to use either a 3.73 or 4.10 gear ratio. I would like to know the difference between the two and what gain(s) I'm gonna recieve from either. ex. RPM, Acceleration, Gas, and top speed.
I do mostly highway driving to work and school, but I would like to have a gear that will give more power. I just don't want to sacrafice the ability to drive my truck on a daily basis. Plus for the money these gears cost and installation, I want something that will give me the most bang for my buck!

Note: My Ex is 4WD 2 door XL. 8.8 in the rear and Dana 35 up front.
Old tire Diameter: 235/60/15= 26.1"
New " " : 275/45/20= 29.7"

Which gear would you choose if you were in my shoes? Thank you for any advice you may provide.

 

[unclemeat]

You should choose the 3.73 ratio. 4.10 ratio will be too low. I had a 98 Ranger with 3.73 (stock) 31s and 4.0 engine and open diffential. When it was wet it was very easy to spin the tire(s). It had great throtle responce and low end power. Now I have a 04 ranger with with 4.10 (stock) 31s and 4.0 engine and a good LS differential. It is excelent for low end power, great for offroad and towing, not so great at the gas pump.

If the truck is a daily driver (asphalt) I would recommend the 3.73 ratio, good performance, and fuel econemy. You should also consider rebuilding the stock LS differential if you have one, or even better us a high quality LS differential like Torsen or truetrac in the rear .

Cost wise you are looking at $500 to 600 per axle to regear with new parts.

Another cheaper option for you is to add a free flow intake filter system like KKM or K&N and a cat back exhaust.

 

[off-road97Xplor]

What he said^^^
People say that when you change the gears you really have to skip 2 places to notice any difference.
Example- You have 3.27's, you wouldnt go to 3.55's you would go to 3.73'
In other words, get the 3.73

 

[riverst]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I will go with the 3.73. I figured the 4.10 would be too extreme for my use.
Have you ever bought anything from www.completeoffroad.com
There the only company that carries the 3.73 reverse cut gears for the dana 35.

Ill look into the LS Diff. But thanks again for the advice. 3.73's is on the way-yeah!

 

[riverst]

I went to the site and they have two 3.73 gear choices for the 8.8.
One is made by "Valve Gear $119.00" and the other by "Yukon $199.00". Is there a difference in the material because of the price between the two or are we paying for the name.

 

[RockRanger]

3.73 and 4.10 were both factory available gears. I doubt complete offroad is the only place that carries the gears. Just about and place that handles gears should be able to get the gears that you need. Also there might be a carrier split on the front axle where you may need a new carrier. Im not sure where the carrier split is on that axle.

 

[CDW6212R]

How much do your wheel/tires weigh? If they are a bunch heavier than stock, then you should opt for the 4.10:1 gears.
Most later Explorers have 3.73 gears in the 4x4 V8's, and the V6's usually have 4.10's.

I changed from 58.5 pound 17's to 71.5 pound 18's. I would much rather have 4.10's now, the extra weight is hurting go, stop, and mpg.

If you are over about 65 pounds per combo, I'd get the higher 4.10:1 ratio.
Ford sells both for less than $200, good luck.
DonW

 

[MartyD]

How can I tell which gears are in my '96 Sport 4x4? I went to the Ford fleet sight and used their VIN decoder and it didn't say anything about gears.

 

[boominXplorer]

How can I tell which gears are in my '96 Sport 4x4? I went to the Ford fleet sight and used their VIN decoder and it didn't say anything about gears.

Look in your door where it says axel code. Search that 2 digit code.

I have some 3:73 gears im pulling out of my mounty. The rears are in perfect condition but im not sure about the front. I'm also down in VA beach so I can help with the install.

 

[JohnnyO]

One is made by "Valve Gear $119.00" and the other by "Yukon $199.00". Is there a difference in the material because of the price between the two or are we paying for the name.

I'd be willing to bet that if you had a set of both and picked them up, the Yukon set would be heavier. I'd get those, Ford, or Richmond, just my .02.