Stock gear ratios????

[surffx]

Hey everybody!!!

I’m glad I’ve found a place to answer my Explorer questions, It looks like you guys have a vast amount of knowledge so hear it goes I hope you can help me out.

Well it's time to get rid of my 97 4runner and I have finally decided on the perfect car I want...a 2002 - 2005 explorer. Here are the things that are most important to me when buying this car

1. V6 (Don't need or want a V8)
2. Auto trans (stick shift...been there done that)
3. 4WD (A must for living in Reno Nevada and being an avid snowboarder)
4. 3rd row seating (just often enough it comes in handy)
5. 5000lb towing capacity (my boat isn't that big, but might upgrade)

For all the research I have done it looks like they made two different gear ratios between 2002 and 2005. 3.55 and 3.73 and they tow 3000lbs and 5000lbs respectively. Am I right so far? If so here is the problem. Most if not all of the Explorer’s in this year range I have found come used from a rental car place and therefore don't have the 3.73 gears. I guess for better gas mileage.

Is it very costly or could it even be done to change/upgrade those gears? What would I pay at the dealership to have that done?

Thanks for everything.
Phil

Let me know if I posted this in the wrong place.

 

[surffx]

I have done some more research and have more questions:

1. First can this thread be moved to Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations > Repair - Tech - Modifications & Detailing Forums
Towing With Explorer and Ranger Based Vehicles

2. Are the gears the most important thing? After reading some other posts it looks like the tranny cooler is more important. All of the explorers I have been looking at have the class II hitch on them. Is it safe to assume that if they have that hitch they have the tranny cooler.

3. If it has the tranny cooler can I just upgrade to the class III hitch and tow up to 5000lbs?

 

[joecap]

The official answer is that the 3,73 gearing is required for towing above approx. 3200 lbs. But with an engine oil cooler for the V6 and Class 3 hitch the 3,55 gears should be fine for the occasional heavier tow. Weight distributing hitch is strongly recommended for heavy loading.

JC

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Moved per your request.

I have a few recommendations:

Buy a 3rd gen with a factory towing package. It has extra coolers, proper gears and a suitable hitch. The hitch is integrated into the frame on these, a 2" can be retrofitted, but the factory hitch can't be removed.

Don't buy a 2002, they were the first year, have some bugs that got worked out in the later models.

 

[manaen]

I agree with mountaineerGreen, if you didn't buy anything yet, why not buy the right thing for the job. Get a vehicle with everything you need and then you can increase it's potential from there.

 

[jrford]

With 3rd Gens you can swap out the Class II with a Class III hitch - Elec plugs in and mounting is the same - 30 min job. For the 3rd Gens, the only differences I can find are the gears and engine CAL which needs to be adjusted for the Gear change as the Trans cooler is already there. I'm thinking of doing the same, I can find R/P gears for about 150. A buddy of mine re-geared his Crown Vic to 4.10 for $600 for everything gears and chip upgrade, haven’t seen a price for the Ex although I would like to know.

 

[surffx]

Thanks everyone,

After doing some more reasearch and giving it some thought, I will be patient and buy the a 3rd gen with the proper tow package. I just wish they were easier to find. There are 10 for sale in my area...all with the class II hitch

Thanks again for the input.

 

[manaen]

you know I really don't get Ford's strategy on this. Why even use a class 2 hitch at all It seems like it would be cheaper for them to stick with one configuration for towing. On a larger framed vehicle like the explorer, class 2 is just a joke.

 

[surffx]

Well I got the one I wanted today. V6, Auto, 4WD, Third row seat, and the 3.73 gears. So I am all set...right? Thanks again for the info guys.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

2" receiver??

 

[manaen]

tranny cooler?

 

[surffx]

Yes, and yes. Original factory installed 2" reciever and tranny cooler.

 

[manaen]

Sweet

Now install a transmission temp gauge and you have yourself a tow rig...