The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop S-10 rear end swap

I've been wanting to swap out the rear end on my 1950 half ton and was wondering if an S-10 rear end would be a good candidate. I don't plan on racing the truck or driving it hard. Just wanting to get better highway speeds and better gas mileage. Your opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

You'll find that the 2wd version will be too narrow. One from a 4x4 would be better, and one from a 4x4 with the Wide Stance option (ZR-2) would be ideal. If you can find a late version, '98-'04, with the ZR-2 option, they not only come with rear disk brakes, but are also a narrower version of the full size truck 8.5" ring gear 10 bolt.

what Bill said.....

My computer's been down boys, so I'm really late in replying, but wanted to say thank you for your replies. I'll start calling the salvage yards for a late model S-10 4x4.

Thanks!

Make sure you specify ZR-2, the axles are different from the regular 4x4 to the ZR-2.

zr2 axles are nice but pricey. I get wanting an 8.5 rear, but in my experience all the broken 7.5 and 7.625 axles I have ever seen in my lifetime have been damaged from abuse, like catching traction in a donut, or just driving like you are stomping out a flaming bag of crap. Plus the zr2 was 1/100 the 4x4 blazer production, and I bet will be easily 4x the price if you find one. just a data point.

if you are looking at blazers in salvage and are ok with a 7.625 rear, look in the glovebox for the RPO codes, rear ends are under G. GU6 is the standard 3.42, GT4 is the optional 3.73, and any ratio followed by G80 is limited slip. 98-03 blazers are disc rear.

I'm using a 1999 disc brake 8.8 Ford Explorer posi rear end w/3.73 gears....joe

1990-1992 Ford Ranger 8.8-Inch Axle - 56-1/2 inches
1993-2009 Ford Ranger 8.8-inch Axle - 58-1/2 inches
1991-2003 Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Axle - 59-1/2 inches

ZR2s are common as dirt around here. Every 4x4 2 door S10 Blazer around here has that option, and most of the 4x4 pickups do, too. I can get a rear out of one for about $235 at the local yard, $180 if I pull it out myself.

I use the stock 2WD S-10 rear in my truck with a 455 Buick (loads of Torque) without issue. I wouldn't be worried about tearing up the rear unless you're the burnout king.

Thanks again for all the good feedback guys. I really appreciate it! I looked last weekend in a local salvage yard and didn't find a 4X4 rear end, only 2 wheel drive. I'll continue my search this weekend.