Ok so i was pondering the other day about getting an 8.5" rear end out of a blazer with disc brakes and putting it in my s10. I haven't researched this subject yet so does anyone know if its a bolt in deal? i would imagine the axel pads for the leaf springs are the same width apart but who knows. I can pick up a rear end for $100 at the junk yard so it wouldnt cost much more than rebuilding the brakes and screwing around with the rear unjoint unless its the same......and no im not putting 8.8 in cause i prob eventually will put a 9" in when i 4 link it


Alex

 

Bolts right in. Try to find one with disc brakes. I beleive the 4x4 rear will stick out unless you get it narrowed.

 

What he said. I think they're 4 inches wider total than the 2WD ones.

 

****....guess i gotta go measure one.....the last thing i need is another project. Thanks for the help

 

Why not swap in a 8.8 out of a exploder? You can find em pretty cheap, they bolt in fairly easy, parts are easy to get, they are stronger than a 8.5 on average, and you can find em with locker

 

they are about the same because flaco was running a 8.5 in his truck it never broke. my truck came factory with the 8.5 rear thats what im using with a ladder bar setup.

 

You can use the 4x4 axle in a 2WD truck. You just need to use rear wheels with a deeper offset.

If you use the 2WD rear wheels with this axle, the wheels/tires will protrude out past the fenderwell.

 

I put a ZR2 8.5 rear end in my 1995 s10 5sp 2wd and I put 18X10 corvette wheels on it and they only stick out about an inch.
I have had my truck to the strip and launch in 1st gear and even launched in 2nd but I cant get the tires to stick.
No tractions bars as of yet.

 

97 or 98 up 5-speeds will have the 8.5"

So it's easy enough to find and keep the 2WD width