TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

what's the scoop. 99+ silverado has a 8.6 rear end

some of the 99+ 2x4 s10 had 8.6 rear ends. i know the 4x4 rear end on the s10 was wider than the 2x4 s10.

are they the same exact rears? i would think the s10 is more narrow? i cannot find anything online.

i'm trying to figure out if i want to run a 8.5 rear in the s10 or get a ford 8.8 to modify to fit. 8.5 would be easiest and cheapest since i already have my tru-track.

Wide Open

I think they're the same housings but different widths for sure. If you can't find an 8.6 out of an S10 a Silverado version could be shortened to fit the spring width of the S10 fairly easily.

BlackGMC

iTrader: (31)

A quick search. It appears you can get a newer s10 housing and it is 8.5 or 8.6. Check out car-part.com for some prices. Maybe thay are plug and play

8.5" and 8.625" Axle Differences Explained - Zr2USA.com

TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

some of the s10's came with a 8.5 rear that was shortened for the s10. there are 3 different lengths for the s10 though. the zr2, zq8 and the standard 4x4. i was planning on cutting down my axle, but knowing that i can swap in a standard 2x4 8.5 rear end and go is appealing toss in a 4.10 and my tru-trac and i'm good to go. hopefully i can find one with a g80 to put into my silverado.

pdxmatt

iTrader: (1)

I could be wrong but I don't think any S-10 trucks, except for ZR2's had 8.6's. Most of the trucks were the 7.6 10-bolt. But S-10 blazers did. I'm not sure what application you have exactly but I have a 98 2wd extended cab S-truck with the 7.6 in it and drum brakes. From the research that I've done you can get an 8.6 with disc brakes from a 2 wheel drive S-blazer and it is within 1/2" of the same width. 4wd blazers had a wider axle.

Oh, and ZR2 axles are something like 4 inches wider than a 2wd axle. A few guys on the forums I have seen are running them without cutting them down, but they are running corvette wheels and the large positive offset of the wheels helps make up for it.

A Low Dime

iTrader: (13)

Even with you already having the tru trac, I think it would be cheapest and easiest to just find yourself a 8.8 explorer rear, change the rear u joint to match the rear and its done with a locker. Yards up here were selling them for $100 when I was hunting.

8.8 is I believe 1.5" wider each side, which in my opinion is perfect for running fat tires.

Finding an 8.5 S10 rear would be a hunt, in my opinion. Might get lucky, tho.

A Low Dime

iTrader: (13)

And Im also pretty sure Zr2 and 4x4 are the same length.

The ZQ8 is just the name for the suspension package, same 7.6 rear as normal S10s, unless it somehow came with the 8.6. There are some random 5 speed trucks that came with them.

8.5 rear is one of those things where people say they only came in ZR2s and other specialty trucks BUT somehow a handful of random 2wd guys will have them in certain option trucks.

TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

v6 standard trucks came with the 8.5 rear. i hit up car-part.com and found several 8.5 rear ends to the s10/15/sonoma/blazer in the houston area. the 8.8 rear end is a good amount wider than the s10 rear end. 3" needs to be chopped off of the drivers side to center the pumpkin, then you have to find an extra passenger side axle shaft to replace the drivers side. even still it will be around 3" longer than the OEM axle.