Well, it was really hot today, and my truck always runs better when its cooler out, but its damn near unbearable! I was cruising on the interstate today and going up almost any hill in 5th gear was almost impossible. It would just bog down and loose about 10mph. I don't really want to have to down shift every hill. I know its lifted with big tires on steel wheels but holy cow! lol

If I were to get aluminum wheels instead of my steelies, would it make enough difference to compensate for the price of new wheels?

I also remembered something about an aluminum driveshaft? I know mine is steel and was wondering if I were to switch, if it would help my truck out? Anyone have any knowlege or experiance with this, post it up! Thanks

 

your profile says you have 33's um yes alum wheels will take tons of unsprung weight out of the equation but you also have 33's on a 3.0L have you regeared since?

 

Yeah, I run 33 12.5 a/ts on 15x8 steelies. I know everyones thinking "look at this ******* that lifted his truck and is complaining about power" lol But I think theres a few things that may help it out. Not looking to make it into a race car.

And no... lol I want to regear but its really expensive for a college student. Its got 3.73s and I was thinking 4.10s but I don't think that'd be enough gain to see spending the money on gears. But was also thinking I could get an 8.8 with 4.10s already in it for cheaper than regearing my 7.5 (stupid idea anyhow). But if I go 4.56s, I'd have to get an 8.8 and then buy gears...

The truck was fine power wise around town but I recently started going to college and travel the interstate to get there and its bad...

 

Dude PM me back.. found an aluminum driveshaft for you Lol

 

5th gear on the 3.0L's is just an overdrive cruise gear. No power in it what-so-ever. If you want to move up a hill or pass, you have to downshift to 4th. Aluminum wheels and drive shaft won't help you either. You'll need a 4.0L......LOL

 

Yeah, I use 4th a lot, I have to lol

A 4.0 would be nice but I got to use what I got. And I got a 3.0 lol

I would think that they would help some... They would almost have to, it makes sence...

 

I find it hard to believe simply going from steel wheels to aluminum wheels will make any sort of discernable difference while driving or mpg

That's like saying your truck is a dog with a passenger in it

 

Rotating mass is a lot different than just say added weight in the truck aluminum wheels would help but they will cost you some cash for sure mpg is the name of the game it seems for a lot of people now a days

 

I can understand the rotating mass vs. added weight, I'm just saying from experience

I had stock aluminum wheels on my 33s for a while, then went to steelies. Didn't notice any change in mpg and I always keep track, performance was dogged when I went from 31 to 33s tho

 

you'd be better off regearing than getting new rims, and going from 3.73 to 4.10 will be negligable. I was running 4.56 with 33's and my 4.0 and now have 31's with 4.56 and getting 20 mpg highway

 

So in your opinion, you would get 4.56s? How much did that cost you if you don't mind telling?

 

well i put an uluminum driveshaft on my old 3.0 with 32's and it didnt feel and different, but i know for sure the wheel change will help alot in your case, and reagearing doesnt sound too bad either

 

I have done this daily before.. it works wonders.. on 4.0L it isnt as noticeable but on smaller motors its HIGHLY notice able... if you take the time to work out rotating mass and how it affects your vehicle you would understand...

ok listen had steelies and bfg 32's it weighted around 84lb.. for one wheel and tire.. switched to alums and same tires.. one wheel and tire weighted around 63lb... thats ALOT of rotating mass missing.. i went from hardly being able to use 5th gear to no problems and from 17-18mpg to 18-20mpg regularly...

it is a difference..

just ask Justin(toreador4x4) i had him convert also on his 3.0L and he could instantly tell the difference

 

So almost everyone is saying aluminum wheels would help the most? Skip the shaft and put that money towards wheels?

 

My stock 3.0 did the same thing. I had to downshift to go up hills, even on the interstate. It was just something I got used to doing but I don't have to do that with the 4.0. Sounds like you need a bigger engine... hehe

 

C'mon Dude! You have a 3.0 with 3.73s and 33's. Those gears are KILLING you. I say find an explorer 8.8 with the 4.10 and a posi, or you can get one out of a Ranger also with the 4.10 and posi. I would highly suggest the axle swap, don't waste your time on the 7.5. I bet you could get the 8.8 for about the same cost as a re-gear, if not less. I believe that the wheels will help you on the hills and on starting off, there's just less weight to get turning. But I doubt the wheels will have much effect on MPGs.

 

I have looked into getting some 4.56's installed and they quoted me just under $1,200 for the gears plus install.

 

Huh, I guess I'm not alone then lol I would love to put a 5.0 in it out of an explorer but due to lack of funds and lack of something else to drive... its on hold.

Yeah, gears... I think going the 4.10 route would be cheaper being I can pick them up at a junkyard. Just have to hope they're good. I know a lot of explorers around here with 4.10 L/S in them. Are the front differentials the same on the explorer and ranger? Obviously the ttb and ifs arn't but both the ifs are the same and interchangeable?

 

x2. I agree though, the 3.0L + heat soak =

 

I'm guessing heat soak = runs like crap in hot weather? lol

 

yup, my 3.slow supercab 4x4 5-speed runs better and quicker in cooler weather.

 

Well, I just rolled into school again last night and it drove halfway decent lol I rotated the tires and it helped. (it was shaking like a b!tch before) I'd still like to get a set of aluminum wheels for it tho. I'm thinking 15x10s.... that'll probly make it weigh almost as much as my 15x8 steelies lol

 

Not anywhere close, a 15x10 aluminum wheel weighs like 10-15 lbs depending on style. A 15x8 steelie wheights at least 30.

 

Good deal. When I was rotating my tires last night... I never really realized how flippin heavy them things are lol