Gearing! Little help please?
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Post Fiend
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From: Almost Heaven
Gearing! Little help please?
Hey guys. I looked for the proper place to put this. I even did a search. I hope this is correct.
I'm wanting to replace my 3.08's with 4.11 gears. I looked at Jegs but they are pretty pricey. What is the best way to find and buy gears? What are the going prices??? Would it be a good idea to go look at a junkyard?
Thank you in advance!
Ps. How do I find out what kind of rear I have? 7.5, 8.8?(if those are even the correct types) I know I don't have a 9 inch. I'm pretty confused! =( I looked for numbers but couldn't find anything other than the metal tag that tells me what I'm geared.
I'm wanting to replace my 3.08's with 4.11 gears. I looked at Jegs but they are pretty pricey. What is the best way to find and buy gears? What are the going prices??? Would it be a good idea to go look at a junkyard?
Thank you in advance!
Ps. How do I find out what kind of rear I have? 7.5, 8.8?(if those are even the correct types) I know I don't have a 9 inch. I'm pretty confused! =( I looked for numbers but couldn't find anything other than the metal tag that tells me what I'm geared.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
You have the 8.8" rear end Bill. Are you sure you want to run 4.11s (actually 4.10s)? That is pretty low, it will hurt you on top end even with the overdrive trans. Unless you plan on lifting your truck and putting 33s on it or something... that will be too much gear. I would suggest more like a 3.73, this gear is very common in the 4.0 powered Rangers and Explorers (which also used 8.8s) Some of them came with Trac Lok limited slips... if you're lucky you could score a limited slip too. These parts can be had at any boneyard for a much better price than new, then I would suggest getting a bearing/ gear install kit. Going the used route might be a bit more economical, just make sure to inspect the gears for damage and excessive wear before you lay down any cash.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
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I also would suggest staying away from the 4.11s unless you are installing bigger tires. The 300 just doesn't love revving, and 4.11s would definitely put the rpms up.
For what it's worth, I had 4.10s with 33s and didn't like it, so I switched to 36s to drop the rpms. I am much happier now.
For what it's worth, I had 4.10s with 33s and didn't like it, so I switched to 36s to drop the rpms. I am much happier now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
My F150 has 3.08 and it is pretty good. I get chirps off the tires if I mash it at a slow roll in first. I get wheel hop if dirty road or damp road. When I needed to replace the rear end (pinion went) I got another 3.08 from boneyard for $250 that only had 40K miles on it, came with brakes and all. I considered a 3.53, but everything other than 3.08 seemed pricy and I didn't want to lose the nice 70 mph 2050 rpm cruise speed.
I think a 3.53 or 3.73 would be plenty for you. F150s came with 3.53s too. But for me, I came off an '84 that had a 2.73 rear and a highway tranny (4 spd including od). Total combo on the '84 had first gear nearly like second gear in my '95, so I had/have no desire to go lower gearing on my '95. But yeah, boneyard unit is probably a lot easier/cheaper way to go.
I think a 3.53 or 3.73 would be plenty for you. F150s came with 3.53s too. But for me, I came off an '84 that had a 2.73 rear and a highway tranny (4 spd including od). Total combo on the '84 had first gear nearly like second gear in my '95, so I had/have no desire to go lower gearing on my '95. But yeah, boneyard unit is probably a lot easier/cheaper way to go.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
Originally Posted by 6CylBill
Hey guys. I looked for the proper place to put this. I even did a search. I hope this is correct.
I'm wanting to replace my 3.08's with 4.11 gears. I looked at Jegs but they are pretty pricey. What is the best way to find and buy gears? What are the going prices??? Would it be a good idea to go look at a junkyard?
Thank you in advance!
Ps. How do I find out what kind of rear I have? 7.5, 8.8?(if those are even the correct types) I know I don't have a 9 inch. I'm pretty confused! =( I looked for numbers but couldn't find anything other than the metal tag that tells me what I'm geared.
I'm wanting to replace my 3.08's with 4.11 gears. I looked at Jegs but they are pretty pricey. What is the best way to find and buy gears? What are the going prices??? Would it be a good idea to go look at a junkyard?
Thank you in advance!
Ps. How do I find out what kind of rear I have? 7.5, 8.8?(if those are even the correct types) I know I don't have a 9 inch. I'm pretty confused! =( I looked for numbers but couldn't find anything other than the metal tag that tells me what I'm geared.
id say 3:55s if ur gunna run 235/75/15s and 3:73s if ur gunna run 31s. should put u in a good power band.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
I plan on putting 31x10x50's on, which is why I wanted to go to the lower gear so I wouldn't lose any torque. I don't mind cruising at 60mph. I don't pull any heavy loads but I do pull stumps and I love truck pulls. I'll be needing new tires soon and I wanted to go to 31's but I didn't want to lose any power.
Thanks to all of you for your imput! I really appriciate it. I always get my questions answered here.
Thanks to all of you for your imput! I really appriciate it. I always get my questions answered here.
Postmaster
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
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I have 32" tires and a 3.73 seems about perfect for it. I bought the gear set on eBay for just $20.00 and a Traction Lok unit for $25.00. The parts were factory stock for an Explorer. Changing the gear was about the best "bang for the buck" thing I've done. Also, while you in there, if you have a 'one wheel wonder' consider putting a Traction Lok in there as well. I don't get stuck in the snow/mud anymore, like I used to.
If you go junk yard hunting, the tag will say 3L73, meaning 3:73 with a locker. 3O73 means it is an open diff.
If you go junk yard hunting, the tag will say 3L73, meaning 3:73 with a locker. 3O73 means it is an open diff.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
If it's a 4x4, remember that you have to change the front as well.
Finding a used rear axle in the junkyard will be difficult. Most of the F-150's and Bronco's had either 3.08 or 3.55. An explorer axle won't work because the bolt pattern is different and the perches won't line up.
New gears are going to run $200 or so a set, and most people decide to pay to have it done because it's a lot of work and beyond the capabilities of most backyard mechanics.
Finding a used rear axle in the junkyard will be difficult. Most of the F-150's and Bronco's had either 3.08 or 3.55. An explorer axle won't work because the bolt pattern is different and the perches won't line up.
New gears are going to run $200 or so a set, and most people decide to pay to have it done because it's a lot of work and beyond the capabilities of most backyard mechanics.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Originally Posted by StangLX302
I have 32" tires and a 3.73 seems about perfect for it. I bought the gear set on eBay for just $20.00 and a Traction Lok unit for $25.00. The parts were factory stock for an Explorer. Changing the gear was about the best "bang for the buck" thing I've done. Also, while you in there, if you have a 'one wheel wonder' consider putting a Traction Lok in there as well. I don't get stuck in the snow/mud anymore, like I used to.
If you go junk yard hunting, the tag will say 3L73, meaning 3:73 with a locker. 3O73 means it is an open diff.
If you go junk yard hunting, the tag will say 3L73, meaning 3:73 with a locker. 3O73 means it is an open diff.
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Post Fiend
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From: Almost Heaven
Unstoppable is what I'm going for ^. I want to make this truck a beast. I want to be able to hook up to any V8 powered pickup and pull it sideways through mud and Hell itself!
Postmaster
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From: Pittsburgh
Think about this-
If you go to 4.11's your cruise rpm would still be lower than if you downshifted your current setup into 3rd.
If you went 4.40's (they don't exist for an 8.8) you'd have the same cruise RPM as if you downshifted your current setup into 3rd.
Now, if you went 4.56's and 31x10.50's you'd have nearly the same cruise RPM as 3.08's in 3rd with your setup.
Justin
If you go to 4.11's your cruise rpm would still be lower than if you downshifted your current setup into 3rd.
If you went 4.40's (they don't exist for an 8.8) you'd have the same cruise RPM as if you downshifted your current setup into 3rd.
Now, if you went 4.56's and 31x10.50's you'd have nearly the same cruise RPM as 3.08's in 3rd with your setup.
Justin
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: In a hot Desert
4WD Gear Calculator Web Page
See Gear Ratio Calculator
this has all you need for driveline numbers and RPM and tire sizes and ... well everything for 4WD gearing calc.
Regards
Stan
this has all you need for driveline numbers and RPM and tire sizes and ... well everything for 4WD gearing calc.
Regards
Stan
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