Assorted newbie questions

Hi everyone

I’m plugging through my issues list! I have some maybe daft questions I have had a look in the wiki but some first hand advise would be appreciated

1 I have 215 75 15 tyres (15% ish bigger) in the wiki I find the car struggles to use 5th gear it’s happiest at 60 mph in 4th I would like to change we gearing and was hoping to use a rear diff to change final drive mine is the later 2005 manual with push button 4wd so 4.2 ish ratio am I right in thinking the early 3.99 diff will be worse if so can anyone recommend some way to make the car better geared

Next it wobbles through steering at 40 mph it goes through it and you can damp the wheel with your hands I’ve balanced the wheels (bfg mud terrains ) is this a sign of king pins being worn? It’s ok above 50 mph it appears to have a steering damper fitted

Also the steering wheel is down to the right does anyone know if it’s splined on the column so if I remove steering wheel I can straighten it up

Next is possibly daft it has a snorkel fitted I noticed a drain hole in the airfilter housing at the bottom- should I fill this with silicone or similar I’m a bit torn as water can come in there but likewise if it gets in it can’t get out so it’s a bit of advice on what others think

Appreciate your input

If you changed the rear diff you'd have to swap the front diff too, otherwise you run the risk of drivetrain damage when using 4wd. But you are correct in saying 3.9 would make it more sluggish than your current 4.2. I think the automatic 05+ runs a slightly lower geared transfer box... Might be worth looking in to and would be an easy swap if is.

Wobbles at 40mph are main symptoms of 'death wobble'. Usually points to king pin bearings. Also worth checking things like panhard rod bushes, track rod ends etc.

The steering wheel is on a splined shaft and could be removed and rotated. Another way to tweek wheel position is to give the steering bar between steering box and hub a couple of turns, this will save you having to remove the airbag etc to pull the steering wheel off.

And yes, seal the hole up in the air box. A small bolt with sealant or a blob of silicone would be fine.

Thanks

I will have a look at the king pins it did pass it’s MOT with no issues 2 days ago and I did ask the guy to pay special attention to the king pins for the cost it’s probably worth doing anyway it doesn’t look like they have been disturbed looking at the bolts

Ok quick update

I can feel a little bit of play in the right front wheel when off the ground

I’ve ordered king pin bearings for both sides anyway

Only problem at the moment is the screw for the abs sensor is well stuck can I get away with not removing the sensor

Does anyone know if the transfer box from Auto is a more suited ratio for larger tyres I can get one used for acceptable amount

Thank you for your help it’s greatly appreciated

I will buy the auto transfer box and see how it goes from there

Again I appreciate the help and support from the site I don’t know enough about these vehicles to confidently spend money on items without user’s knowledge which I’m sure was hard earned so again thank you to everyone who took the effort to reply