The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 2002 Trailblazer rear axle

Hello all. I just got a 2002 trailblazer rear axle to put in my 3/4 build. I got it because of the 59-60" width and the 8.5" gearing. But one thing I noticed was that the drive yoke on the pumpkin is offset to passenger side about 2". Are all axles like this or is it because it was from a 4x4? Am i able to use this rear end with my set up? I have a 355 with a Turbo 350 tranny. Thanks for the help.

Are you sure about that width? My parents have an Envoy (same thing, only a GMC), plus I've serviced many of those over the years, the axle is definitely wider than 60".
The offset of the pinion won't be a major issue, it's actually quite common on most rear ends. Only way I could see an issue is if it was an extreme offset, like the axle from an Astro van. A bigger problem is going to be finding wheels, as the trailblazer has a small 6 lug pattern not shared with any other GM vehicle.

Backing plate to backing plate is almost 60". We were looking for a ZR2 rear but never found one at the Indy pick a part. So we were going around and measuring all the S10 blazers and found the trailblazer to be the right width. I forgot to check the lug count while we were searching but yes i need 5 lug to match the front IFS. Thought about looking for new 5 lug axles to put in it. right now i only have 92 bucks wrapped up in it. What do ya think?

Did it come out of that looks like this? Or was it from one like this? The first one did have a version called a "Trail Blazer" as a trim package, the second one uses "Trailblazer" as the model name. Leads to confusion when hunting parts, as they share virtually no parts. If you got one from the first vehicle, it'll be fine. Correct 5 lug pattern and width. The second one will be too wide, and has the 6 lug bolt pattern. If you do have the first one, make sure to specify that it's from a "Blazer" or "S10", otherwise, you'll get the wrong parts.

Yeah it looked like the 2nd one.

If you measure it at the wheel flanges, you'll most likely find it's too wide. Plus the wheel lug issue. As far as I know, there are no 5 lug conversion axles for it. You might see if the yard will take it back, perhaps in trade for an S10 axle.

Thanks for the help. Yes i have 30 days to return for a swap out. They dont have any ZR2s so what would be the next best option? They did have a ZR2 truck but i heard they were to narrow.

So should i be looking at backing plate width or wheel mounting surface width? I just came across that term WMS, I have been measuring backing plate width.

Wheel mounting surface width. When you add the thickness of the drums it makes a big difference.

Yes, you will want to measure at the wheel mount surface. I just measured my parents Envoy. It's 69" wheel surface to wheel surface. The ZR2 pickups are the same as the ZR2 Blazer.

I know it's a Ford, but the Explorer 8.8 rears are pretty popular and durable, and reasonable to boot. Plus, they usually have disc brakes too.

S10 4x4 axle will work. 6 bolt axles and proper width.

S10s are all 5 lug, with a 4.75" pattern.

Colorado/ Canyons are a good candidate. They are already 6x6.5 lug and some even come with disc brakes.

I measured one a while back, IIRC, it comes out right at 63", WMS to WMS.

Sorry to disagree longbox55 2 wheel drive 5 stud 4x4 6 stud.might have to go back to older models.I have worked on 4x4 s10 so I know they are 6 stud. I have also read in past posts on this forum of this rear different being a good choice for installing in these pickups.one of the main reasons is that they are pretty close to the right width. The 2nd different is too wide. I personally use a 12 bolt different out of a 78 4x4 suburban so I can have the 6 stud axles (in a 54 3100 ) I feel the s10 housing is a bit light.

No, there are no 6 lug S10s. I've owned a 4x4 S10 since 1995, and it has been in the family since 1985. It's 5 lug. In addition, I have also worked on S10s, both 2 and 4 wheel drive, more of them than I care to count. Now, the Colorado, which replaced the S10, is 6 lug, both 2 and 4 wheel drive.

OK well.....I stand corrected! My apologies for pushing back with wrong info. After giving some thought to why I believed there were s10 with 6 stud....I believe I got cross up with the Dodge Dakota. Now the do have 6 stud in 4x4 and 5 stud 2nd. Having worked in a Dodge dealership for 16 yrs that I remember. Moving on... the s10 4x4 different is a better fit width wise for our old trucks. I'll say no more.

The spacing is wrong on the Dakota 6 lug.

Yeah I know.wasn't promoting the Dakota axle,just clearing up where I probably went wrong thinking the s10 4x4 had 6 bolt axles. And yes yout are right about the bolt pattern. It's smaller and gmc wheels don't work.

I figured that you already knew that. I was just trying to help to keep others from trying to go that route.