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Hello Stovebolters,
I am considering a rear end from a fullsize blazer-1987 for my 53 1/2 ton.My question is:are the wheel cylenders/brakes on 87 compatable with the rest of the stock system on the 53? thanks,
Aaron

IMHO brakes are just one of many problems you will run into. I have a Camaro rear end my 1954 1/2 ton. First off the Camaro rear end is only 1" wider than the original; seems to me the full size Blazer is way too wide. These are the problems that had to be addressed:
Mounting - spring spacing and mounting is different so I used springs from S10 Blazer and fabricated new spring mounts.
Shocks - required fabrication of new mounts.
Drive shaft - convert from torque tube to open configuration. Used cut down two piece from late 60's truck and fabricated steady bearing mount.
Transmission - replaced transmission designed for torque tube with one designed for open driveshaft.
emergency brakes - use Camaro cables, had to make mounts and connections to existing e brake cross shaft.
service brakes - changed to dual master cylinder and added booster (not required, but nice to have)
Front brakes - installed disc brakes on front - now all 4 wheels using same 5 bolt pattern.
Proportioning valve - need this with disc/drum setup. Used one from a 1/2 ton pickup.

Back to your original question - it should work as the brakes themselves are probably not all that different. I think that the Blazer has 2" wide shoes in an 11" drum and the old truck 1 3/4" shoes in an 11 drum. The old truck has 1" cylinders - don't know what the Blazer has. You may have to install an adjustable proportioning valve.

Fran and Gord,
thanks for the reply.Can I ask what IMHO sstands for? I am also considering the camaro rear end and front disk setup but I kinda want to keep my stock wheels on the other hand the six lug disk conversion is quite pricy.What kind of disk conversion did you use? I havent decided what I will do for sure yet.I am just trying to get as much info as possible so I can do the job once the right way. I think that should be possible with a great website like this one Thanks Aaron

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

I put the rear from a '73 Chevelle under my '55 1st a couple years ago. At first I just connected the brakes lines and went. It worked fine.

Later I converted to front disks and rebuilt the entire brake system using '73 Chevelle matched parts.

The questions I'd suggest you investigate are 1) are the brake cylinders similar size. Yes would be the ideal answer. And 2) what is it going to take to connect the emergency brakes?

A full size 1/2 ton Blazer rear is actually a good match for width - as good or better than a Camaro / Bird rear and you get the right bolt pattern and can use stock springs with the purchase of a couple of trailer spring saddles and a little welding.

The disc brake conversion kit I used was part # FS-714 from the Filling Station in Lebanon OR. This particular kit only has the adapter plate and hardware. You have to buy new bearings, rotors, calipers, seals and lines.

Yes, the 5 bolt wheels are a pain. I was thinking it didn't matter as the stock hubcaps will cover them anyway. However, I am having trouble getting 16 inch wheels with the 5 bolt pattern that will accept the stock hubcaps. There is a company who will make them to order, but it will cost big $. I will be prowling the wrecking yards to come up with a solution.

It's a funny thing about the track width issue. I would have liked to use a rear end with the 6 bolt pattern as Ken suggested. I have a full size pick up - a 1980 C20. I got under it, measured the track and thought "way too wide". I figured that the C10 track would be the same since the body is the same. I knew other people were using Camaros. A guy was parting out a Z28 and I got everything I needed for a good price.
When you said "full size" I assumed it was the same track as my C20, but now that I think about it, wasn't the 1987 Blazer based on the S10? Anyhow, if if fits, you must not (a)quit!

The 'full size' Blazer is based on the C10 and would be similar in width to your C20. Based on measuring my '72 C10 I'd expect it to be a little wide, but with stock type wheels and tires should work.

The S10 Blazer is narrower. The 4x4 S10 is supposed to be about right for an AD truck but the 2-wheel drive S10 may be too narrow, based on what I've heard others say.

The rear I removed from mine was '61 inches wide, measured across the wheel mounting services. The one I put under it was '62 inches wide. Works great.

If you want a stock look you're probably on the right track.

Of course, finding the new rear end is only the start of the fun. You are still going to have to deal with the torque tube, springs, shocks, e-brake ...

The full-size blazer rear ends are narrower than the pick-up rear ends.
If you do a search, I posted a link to rear axle widths a long time ago. SHOULD still be here on the bolt some place,,,,