Need help with choosing proper gearing

[ExplorerAvery]

I own a 96 X Sport 2WD and I took the stock tires and bumped them up to 31 x 10.5s. They fit and handle great but I am burning up my clutch trying to get the thing rolling on the flat pavement never mind on any incline. A gentleman I know suggested that I go to a junk yard and get a rear axel from a 4 x 4 that would be geared lower. Any suggestions? Will this work? Dows any Explorer 4 x 4 axel merry up with no mods?

Thanks.

 

[mecforyou]

The bone yard would probly be the chepest way to go or you could look at getting a new set of gears and having them set up which will give you the choise of gearing.

 

[jimbo74]

what ratio is your stock diff? i have a 4x4 aquto with 3.73s and my performance didnt suffer much when i put on 31s

 

[Okrazie1]

I have 3.27's and I didn't really notice much difference when I went to the 31's. I might have to slip the clutch a little more than before but not enough to really notice. However, I wouldn't mind changing to 3.73's to give it a little more get up and go.

BTW, welcome to the site!

 

[jimbo74]

if you are ever thinking of 33s or 35s the minimum to go with is 4.10s....i may get 4.56s soon.....with 33s or 35s not sure yet

 

[Rhett]

Since you have a 2wd you might have 3.08 gears, which is the highest ratio and might give you more trouble with 31's...but I don't know since I don't have 3.08's.

Anyway I would regear to 3.73's, unless you're really making a rock climber in which case I would get 4.10's...but then I don't know how good a 2wd rock-climber would be...a pre-runner setup would be more appropriate for a 2WD. But just for normal city/hwy driving I would get 3.73. Can't remember the axle code for that. It might be 44 (for 3.73 open) and D4 (for 3.73 limited slip)...?

 

[ExplorerAvery]

I think I have 3.08. Would a axel from a bones yard that is 3.73 bolt up okay? Does the year matter?

Thanks for the help everyone. This is all new to me.

 

[felsmann]

I have a 3.73 gear set if you are interested. I'm selling front and rear though, but cheap! $100 You pay shipping which is about $30.

Email me if interested

jfelsmann@socal.rr.com

 

[ExplorerAvery]

Sounds great. It looks like I will try for a 45 3.55 open rear end. I do very little fire road driving but a lot on the highway. Do you guys think that will be enough of a change from 3.08? Will the 3.73 effect my high end too much? Sorry for all of the questions but I haven't had any experience to compare. Thanks for all of the help and patience.

Avery

p.s. felsmann, I might be in contact with you.

 

[felsmann]

I don't think you will be able to teall much difference. I'm not saying that because I qwant you to get the 3.73s but it just isn't much. 3.73 won't throw you off the wall, most trucks come with these nowadays. Mine did.

Just let me know if you are interested.

 

[Rhett]

What about going from 3.27 to 3.73? Will that be a big difference?

 

[ExplorerAvery]

I cannot say I know but I found this portion of 4-wheel parts wholesalers' site that might shed some light on the situation.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tirel_Gear_Ratio.asp

Let me know what you gather from it.

Avery

 

[Rhett]

Nice info chart. I learned one thing, my gear ratio is too low, even for stocker size (235 75R15) tires! 3.27 is a highway gear for sure. No wonder it was doggy with 31's on there.

Now I know why everyone here says they get 3500-4000 rpm and so forth...and I never do. Most have lower gearing than my truck.

I think if one were to run 31's I think 4.10 is the best gear ratio, giving a good mix of fuel econ and power. A person could run 3.73's with 31's but would make for a little more of a highway gearing, but that's fine if you don't tow or crawl.

Saw a Michelin Cross Terrain tire on that site, a 265 70 R15, this would be about a 31" tire, and fit on stock rims.

Here's a useful link I found, too:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

It's on a Mazda Miata site but you can input any size tires using metric measurements. It then gives sidewall, height, etc..

 

[go off road]

will 4.56s fit

Will 4.56s fit in a 95+ front diff. if so where did you get them, thanks.

Wade

 

[Rhett]

I thought it was the rear differential that had to be changed. Does the front need it too?