explorer rear end

Where do i find the gear ratio tag on a '98 explorer rear end,i noticed a couple,but neither really made sense,i want to make sure i get the right one for my '48 ford.thanksit had tags with this 5L73888H31 and this S621A.????

 

That 5L73... Is it maybe 3L73? I know that first number is usually obscured by the attaching bolt.

If so that's the gear ratio. The L means a limited slip. 5.73 isn't a realistic ratio in an Explorer. 3.73 or maybe 2.73 seems more likely.

 

limited slip=posi?

 

kinda, I don't have the brain power to explain right now, but, yeah, for the msot part you do have posi...

mine's got 4.10:1 gears w/ posi and fits nicely in my 32.

 

Limited slip is the generic term.

Positraction is GM's name.

Traction Lock is Fords name.

 

so whats the best chevy trans to run with the 3.73 limited slip?just for cruising and good mileage...no racing

 

If you want milage with a 3.73 you'll need some kind of OD trans. 200R4, 700R4, T5, whatever, depends on the engine you run.

 

I have a SBC, t-5 and a 8.8 inch rear with 3:73 gears. I can't imagine anything being better if your not hammering it. If your gonna beat on it, the t-5 will be short lived.

 

Are they clutch-based limited slip, or mechanical setups like a locker? I want to put one under my F1.

 

good question! hey ,i have access to a 350 chevy automatic...with a 3.73 geared rear?just throwing it out there!

 

They have clutches, true limited slip, not a locker. Easy and cheap to repair and upgrade since all the stang bangers came with 8.8s. I use the ranger version myself because with the drum rear axle its a little narrower. Mine is in a heavy car with a big block, beat it silly, no issues. And I would say 3.73 is a pretty standard explorer ratio, see enough of them at work anyway.


Brad

 

Knowing Ford it will be 2.73:1 optional factory gearing would be 3.08 and 3.27

 

Here are some axle codes to help ID an Ranger/ Explorer rear end. The 2 character coode is located on the Vehicle info. sticker located on the drivers door jamb. If the first character is a letter then you have a limited slip diff. Here is a list. Not sure what years are covered by this table.

code ratio
43 3.08
41 3.27
42 4.10
46 3.73
45 3.55
D1 3.27
D4 3.73
D2 4.10
L73 3.73

N B R

 

Most are 3.73, since they all have overdrive trans, theres no need for 2.73, 3.08 and so on. Also the have weak v6 engs for the most part, need the lower gear to get them turds goin.

Brad

 

I stand corrected

 

I wasnt trying to be an ass, I just work on these things a lot at the dealer. If you have a need for rear end these and the ranger 8.8s are pretty good to start with. If anyone has any questions, I can get specs from the manuals.

Brad

 

Explorer's came with 3.55's or 3.73's... that's it. I sold 'em for six years ('91 to '97). they are called "limited-slip"... the traction-lok moniker has been gone for decades.

 

You probably don't want that TH350 unless you want 3000+rpm at 70mph. Go to www.currienterprises.com - click on the center logo and then go to the right sidebar which shows calculators. Calculate away until you figure out what you want. You need to know tire dia. and top gear ratio of your desired trans. TH 350/TH 400 is 1.0:1, 700R4 is 0.70:1 and 200-4R is 0.67:1 - if memory serves correctly.

 

Some came with either 4.11's or 4.10's (I can't remember which). My Dad used to own a salvage yard. My project is using a 3.73 out of a 95 Exploder. We considered going to the 4.1x rear but decided the 3.73 would be a good compromise.

 

My '99 5.0 V8 Exploder had a 4:10 limited slip.

 

Also weld the axle tubes to the center housing (they are only pressed in). Thats a weak spot. FWIW...

 

Then you must not have sold too many.

they came with 3.27,3.55,3.73,and 4.10`s.

And they still say Trac-Lok on the differential,so Ford must be wrong???

 

BTW,to the Original Poster....those numbers do not make sense,but as mentioned....3L73 88 would make perfect sense. That would mean 3.73 gears,Trac-Lok differential,and an 8.8" carrier.

Also,it WILL have 31-spline axles,they all did from 1995-2001

 

Exactly...

3.73 Limited Slip, 8.8" rear with 31 spline axles and disc brakes. And the comment about the axle tubes is right on... WELD THEM!

Has anyone used one of these in a early 50's Dodge? I was thinking about it for my dad's 50 Coronet Convertible but I was told there may be too much of an offset on the differential to work(towards the pass side). It would be nice... My local pick a part had 7 of them the last I looked for $75 ea...

 

working on a truck arm suspension (2 link) for my 51 chevy
The offset is 2.36" to the pass side. I think it will work fine. Maybe I'll go thru joints more often. Im not putting 100k miles on it anyway.

 

Anyone know the axle tube diameter, and on a explorer is the carrier centered? Thanks. Peter

 

Never saw a 4.10 in an Explorer... maybe a regional option for towing. After the '97 model year I was out of the biz so maybe later years had 'em.

I should have mentioned the 3,27's... sorry. Ford dealer ordering guides never said traction-Lok.... only "limited slip"... window stickers also said L/S...

And, yes, I sold tons of 'em from '91 until '97... 80% of our sales were trucks...

 

The center section is not centered. I heard of people getting two rear ends and removing either the long or short size tubes and putting them on the same center section. I don't recall the diameter right off the top of my head.

 

Anyone have a chart showing widths?

 

The od of the axle tubes are 3.25. I don't know about the axles themselves. Overall width from wms to wms is 59.5-59.75.