1992 Explorer Bone Stock

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Oct 16, 2003 | 03:18 PM

12PSI

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1992 Explorer Bone Stock

Hey guys and girls!! I just bought a 92 Explorer and have a ton of questions. I am a die-hard Ford Fan. I have a 95 Cobra and a 98 Cobra. Love them both dearly. My first question is: what kind of rearend does my EX have? It is a 2WD - 4Door automatic 4.0V-6. Does it have the dependable 8.8 or did they come with another type rearend, if it came with a 8.8 I have several sets of gears laying around (3:73-3:55-4:10 and a set of 4:56's) I was thinking of installing some 3:73's to give the 4.0 some get-up.

Any help greatly appreciated!!!!

Oct 16, 2003 | 04:53 PM

mrshorty

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From: UT

It does have an 8.8 rear end with 31 spline axles. (The 8.8 in Mustangs and Rangers has 28 spline axles.) And check the gear ratio before installing the 3.73. It seems that 3.73 is the most common gear ratio in Explorers, so it may already be installed.

Oct 16, 2003 | 05:39 PM

12PSI

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REAR GEARS

How do I determine what gear It has? The code numbers on the door is long gone due to much use. Can I run the VIN, is there a tag or stamp on the rear end? On my Cobra's, there is no tag or stamp on either. I know what gears they had because I new the people who bought them new and they still had the stat-sheet. I am curious, I do not want to go through the trouble of installing 373's and it already had some. If it does, I will consider installing the 456's, if not - I will put in the 410's if it has 355 or higher in it now. I am also considering an Eaton Posi, good idea or not?

All comments/answers/information welcome!!!
Thanks .................Bunches..................

Oct 16, 2003 | 08:46 PM

Bashman

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From: Cold Lake, AB

There should be a sticker on your driver's side door with the axle code on it, then match it to this chart:

Rear Axle Codes

41 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.27 Ratio
45 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.55 Ratio
D4 - Limited Slip - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.73 Ratio
46 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.73 Ratio
D1 - Limited Slip - 3200 lb. Capacity - 3.27 Ratio
42 - Conventional - 3200 lb. Capacity - 4.10 Ratio
D2 - Limited Slip - 3200 lb. Capacity - 4.10 Ratio

Oct 16, 2003 | 09:48 PM

99Xplr

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From: NJ

Here's a good site to run your vin against. It will give you some good info on your truck, including the rear end ratio.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

Oct 17, 2003 | 08:16 PM

mrshorty

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From: UT

There should be a tag on the rear diff cover bolted on with one of the cover bolts. The first 3/4 characters on the 2nd row tell the gear ratio. There will be an L where the decimal point is to identify a trac-lock differential. (3 73 or 3L73)

Jan 30, 2004 | 05:59 AM

91ExploXLT

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From: Lancaster Pa

ok i was just wondering what is the best all around gearing for explores. i have 3.55s, and i had an idea that i saw on TV where they welded the top and bottom spider gears. Is that a good idea like say i did that would i see any major problems in the future?