Rearend Swap ?? What years will Interchange ??

[Katmandu]

I pondering doing a complete rearend swap on my 98 4x2 EX. It has 4.10s and I want a higher (lower numerically) gear to get better MPGs.

What year Explorers will Interchange with my 98 ??

 

[jimbo74]

nothing..... stock explorers never had anything higher than a 4.10 ratio

 

[Katmandu]

nothing..... stock explorers never had anything higher than a 4.10 ratio

You're confused my friend. Maybe time for bed! j/k I know the way it is.......I'm a 3rd Shift worker myself.

I need to clarify my question obviously....

What years are the AXLE HOUSINGS the same therefore able to interchange with a 98 ??

As for the ratios...... Higher Gears are NUMERICALY LOWER.

6 cyl,, 3.27 ratio
6 cyl,, 3.55 ratio
6 cyl,, 3.73 ratio
6 cyl,, 4.10 ratio
8 cyl, 3.55 ratio
8 cyl, 3.73 ratio
8 cyl, 4.10 ratio

 

[Katmandu]

What years are the AXLE HOUSINGS the same therefore able to interchange with a 98 ??

More research on another site (www.car-part.com) shows that 1995 thru 2001 year Explorers will Interchange.

Doesn't say anything about Rangers or differentiate between 2WD and 4WD rearends.

 

[Katmandu]

ah, your wording is wierd.....

I know. Like I said, lack of sleep does strange things to one's mind.

I travel 60 miles round trip on my daily commute. 99% of it out on the open Highway.

I know I'll loose low end power thereby necessitating more foot effort (lower MPG), but the mileage travel distance on the Highway may make up for it in higher MPGs. Only getting 18.5 Highway now.

 

[Bronco638]

I've got 3.55s in my truck now and get 20 mpg with the stock tires (29"). I'm swapping in a 4.10 axle (along with 32" tires) and would have no need for the 3.55 axle.

As far as I can tell, any 2nd Gen. solid axle will swap with any other. I think the 4.10 axle I have is out of a '98. That said, any axle from a 1995-2001 should swap in (now watch everyone tell me I'm wrong.... ).

If you're interested in my 3.55 axle and are in the Chicago area or Indianapolis area (parents place), let me know. I'd think shipping would be spendy (even freight/common carrier).

Dave.

 

[boominXplorer]

you need one 98+ In 98+ a different VSS was installed in the rear. 95-97's VSS is in the transfer case or tailshaft

 

[Katmandu]

you need one 98+ In 98+ a different VSS was installed in the rear. 95-97's VSS is in the transfer case or tailshaft

Interesting.....

Can the VSS be relocated possibly ??

Know where I can find pics of it ??

 

[Ray Lobato]

Are you thinking that swapping the whole rearend will be cheaper than getting a gear swap? It should only cost $400.00 at the most to do a gear replacement in you exsisting rear end. Less if you pull the rearend yourself and take it to the shop.

 

[CDW6212R]

Do you have 16" tires now, the stock 255/70/16's are 30" tall. If you have 15" tires, they are 29" tall. If so, you could make the same change by changing to 16" wheels and tires.

I'd say stay around the 3.73:1 ratio gears. I have the lower ratio 3.73's in my V8 Mountaineer , and the higher ratio 4.10's in my 99 SOHC 4x4 chassis.

You can buy the gears for less than $200(buy Fords). The labor should not be $200, I recall $100 being the old non disk Mustang price. Good luck,

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

you need one 98+ In 98+ a different VSS was installed in the rear. 95-97's VSS is in the transfer case or tailshaft

Half true.

The 98+ VSS is merely generated by the 4 wheel abs computer, using input from the rear ABS sensor, located in the pumpkin. All 95-2001 Ford 8.8 axles have this sensor, what the car does with it changed 1998.

Technically, the disk-brake, SUA rear ends were the same from 1995-2001. Axles under V8 trucks have additional tabs welded on for traction bars, but will still slide under a V6's no problem.

Rangers, F150s, Mustangs and Expeditions also used the 8.8 rear solid axle, but there were some changes with each version, that keep it from bolting in.

 

[Katmandu]

Do you have 16" tires now, the stock 255/70/16's are 30" tall. If you have 15" tires, they are 29" tall. If so, you could make the same change by changing to 16" wheels and tires.

I'd say stay around the 3.73:1 ratio gears. I have the lower ratio 3.73's in my V8 Mountaineer , and the higher ratio 4.10's in my 99 SOHC 4x4 chassis.

You can buy the gears for less than $200(buy Fords). The labor should not be $200, I recall $100 being the old non disk Mustang price. Good luck,

My EX has the 255/70/16" Revos. Even with these tall tires, the 4.10s will break them loose occasinally. Runs GREAT actually. Lots of power. But I don't USE that power is the thing here.

I drive 99% on the Highway, mostly during my daily 60 mile commute. I'm wondering if it's really worth all the effort and $$$ to swap gears/axle from my 4.10 down to 3.55s or even 3.27s ??

Of course the goal here is to increase my EX's Highway MPG.

 

[Bronco638]

Are you thinking that swapping the whole rearend will be cheaper than getting a gear swap? It should only cost $400.00 at the most to do a gear replacement in you exsisting rear end. Less if you pull the rearend yourself and take it to the shop.

Maybe it's just the area of the country (Chicago) but every place I shopped at quoted about $700 to swap rings & pinions. I found it was cheaper to simply swap axles. I think I paid $150 for my 4.10 axle assembly. Even if I could find a shop to swap gears at that price ($400), it's still cheaper to swap axles. However, I don't mind doing it myself.

 

[Katmandu]

I drive 99% on the Highway, mostly during my daily 60 mile commute. I'm wondering if it's really worth all the effort and $$$ to swap gears/axle from my 4.10 down to 3.55s ??

Of course the goal here is to increase my EX's Highway MPG.

 

[Bronco638]

Well, the easiest way to get an idea would be to monitor your engine RPM at "highway" speeds. I currently have the stock tires on 15" (stock) wheels. I believe the tires are 29" in diameter. At 70 mph, my engine is turning about 2300 rpm. MPG at that speed is about 20 (400+ miles to the tankful).

 

[boominXplorer]

Maybe it's just the area of the country (Chicago) but every place I shopped at quoted about $700 to swap rings & pinions. I found it was cheaper to simply swap axles. I think I paid $150 for my 4.10 axle assembly. Even if I could find a shop to swap gears at that price ($400), it's still cheaper to swap axles. However, I don't mind doing it myself.

Hmmm maybe I am living in the wrong area but I do gear swaps for 150$ labor an axle unless your a good friend, then you owe me food and your my slave for the day.

 

[Katmandu]

Hmmm maybe I am living in the wrong area but I do gear swaps for 150$ labor an axle unless your a good friend, then you owe me food and your my slave for the day.

Well....If this you

standing next to that Explorer.......WE "may" have to have a little talk here!

 

[Katmandu]

BTW, here is a GREAT RPM/MPH/Tire Size/Gear Size Calculator!

http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmtirecalc.html

 

[Bronco638]

Hmmm maybe I am living in the wrong area but I do gear swaps for 150$ labor an axle unless your a good friend, then you owe me food and your my slave for the day.

And, damn it!, you're too far away........

Here's another: Gear & Tire Chart

I have 235/75R15 (29" dia.) on my 3.55s which equates to ~2700 RPM @ 65 MPH. If you're running the same sized tires and were to drop from 4.10s to 3.55s, you'd gain 400 RPM @ 65 mph. Drop to 3.27s and you gain 600 RPM.

Another consideration is to lower the rolling resistance of your tires. Find some tires that are 'hard' compound and add 2 to 4 more PSI than recommended. They'll wear faster, in the center of the tread, but will roll easier.