thinking about changing axle ratio

[yosh18981898]

Is it possible to convert my stock 3.27 axles to a 3.73 ratio for better torque and towing capability?

If so, where do I get the parts and how much do they cost?

 

[mrboyle]

Yes it is possible, Mysef and several other members have done it. Check the for sale forum for your best bet on a used set. If you want new try Randy's Ring&Pinnion.

 

[Redrig]

If your gonna have a shop do this swap its gonna cost roughly about 1500 bucks.

 

[huskyfan23]

$1500 for both including parts?

 

[Redrig]

Heres my exact quote.
Overhaul&set reaer diff w/4:56 gears. $330.00
Gear set/4:56 ratio $291.00
Bearing and install kit 176.00
Cleaner and oil $28.00

This was for the rear diff only.

 

[SteveVB]

blantant self promotion

check here for the 3.73 gears for the front axle of your truck.

The rears new will cost maybe 175 or 200 plus the rears will probably need a complete master kit with new bearings and races to rebuild the rear, I would add another 150.

Installation would be in the 400 range for the front and the 300 range for the back, guesses but should be +-100.

so 50+200+150+400+300=$1100

could be more could be less- 92 rear has a lot of miles so I added in the extra parts- the front axles dont get used much so the bearings, and races, and gears would be in better shape so you wouldnt need to replace them.

good Luck

 

[huskyfan23]

Wow.. It would be a lot easier finding an axle with the gears and carrier you want. Just gotta hook everything up and bleed the brakes. Oh, and hope everything isn't worn.

 

[Josh]

huskyfan23
I just found a set(Front Diff and rear axle) in the junk yard for 171.50. I just completed the swap this weekend. Its time consuming but CHEAP! Here in Virginia, is a place called U Wrench It. They charge a dollar to get in and they are realy cheap. You will need to find an explorer with an axle code of "D4" but also check the axle tag as well. The axle code is on the tag on the drivers side door. We just went back Sunday and got a power steering pump and coil pack for 55 bucks.

 

[huskyfan23]

That's really cool. Around here, none of the junkyards like that have Explorers. They rarely even get in newer SUV's. They seem to get a lot of classic car jacks, some way or another. My neighbor goes there once a week with his GM parts manual, he comes home with a few jacks, puts them on eBay, and gets at least $200 each, sometimes $800. The jacks are sold by the place for under $5. I should start doing that, then I could afford to just get all the axle work done!

 

[wpurple]

Changed from 3.27 to 3.73 in my 97.
Just changed axles, not gears. Axles F&R with 6000 miles on them $1500
Labor to swap them $500

Although quite expensive, the difference is night and day!
Explorers should have came with 3.73's at least.

 

[huskyfan23]

So you had a shop swap the axles? My X came with 3.73's, but no LS, stock LS is supposed to suck anyways. I think when I switch to 33's I'll do a locker and 4.10's.

 

[wpurple]

Yup, the shop swapped the front and rear. Was going to do it myself but it seemed more a pain in the butt than it was worth it. I never have anyone work on my vehicles but myself but this shop did a real nice clean job.

 

[huskyfan23]

Yeah, I say if you have the money and not the time, do it. My neighbor got a free axle swap from a Camaro with rear discs, and 3.73's (he had drums and 2.73's), it took him 5 hours to get the rear off, and the new one on. He had never done it before though.

 

[Byrd91]

I have front and rear 3.73 R&P for sale. $100 + shipping. Labor for my rear cost me $160, front was only $80 because I dropped the third member myself. Then add rebuild kits. Should be well below $1000. Mine was a total of...$800 with brand new 4.56s going in.

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by huskyfan23
Wow.. It would be a lot easier finding an axle with the gears and carrier you want. Just gotta hook everything up and bleed the brakes. Oh, and hope everything isn't worn.

Thats exactly what I did. I swapped in a New Disc braked rear, and a 4.10 pumpkin, saved on the labor to R& R the front pumpkin, and all of the parts needed to refurbish a 160k mile rear axle and got disc brakes at the same time. I used all new parts - Dana gears for the front, and a new take out axle in the rear and saved 5-600 dollars over taking it to a shop to replace the gears I have. This works for 4.10s since you can get a factory axle with 4.10s. 4.56 or 5.13s would have to be installed