Choices for full size blazer axles? --ok on to the swap

[Turdle]

Boy. Searching for full size blazer front axle was tough, seems s10 blazer is mixed up in there--
I hope I have this right--

it is a GM 8.25" front IFS axle from what I can find.

Looking for gears it seems there are no compatibility issues with the 9.5" ring geared 14 bolt, which was used from 1979-2006

correct?

I found this site, and used it for reference

http://www.ringpinion.com/DiffList.aspx?SearchMode=Cat&CatID=10&MakeID=3&ModelID=292&Side=Rear

 

[dkchrist]

I think you have the right axles. Randy's is a pretty good site that is where dad got gears for his heep.

 

[james t]

Yes, the front IFS is an 8.25" 10 bolt gearset. As for compatibility issues with the 9.5, im not sure i know what you mean?

 

[Turdle]

Yes, the front IFS is an 8.25" 10 bolt gearset. As for compatibility issues with the 9.5, im not sure i know what you mean?

What I mean is gear set availability--numerical match front and rear.

 

[james t]

Oh, okay, yea they are compatible. They came in the same truck, since the 9.5" was in the "light duty 3/4 ton" 4x4, the front IFS diff was the same as the half ton. I have one of these trucks and the rear has 500k miles on it with nothing but fluid changes.

To add- if you're scrounging the pick and pull for one of these, they were also in 2wds. I dont know how much you know about GM's, but 88-98 were all 5 lug in 2wd form and 8 lug in 3/4 and 1ton... so if you see a 2wd that is 6 lug then jump on it because that is the one you want.

 

[Turdle]

Oh, okay, yea they are compatible. They came in the same truck, since the 9.5" was in the "light duty 3/4 ton" 4x4, the front IFS diff was the same as the half ton. I have one of these trucks and the rear has 500k miles on it with nothing but fluid changes.

To add- if you're scrounging the pick and pull for one of these, they were also in 2wds. I dont know how much you know about GM's, but 88-98 were all 5 lug in 2wd form and 8 lug in 3/4 and 1ton... so if you see a 2wd that is 6 lug then jump on it because that is the one you want.

And, 2wd was the only way to get 456 gears.

See, I am searching

 

[Turdle]

How about just steping up a notch and getting this

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/1393871471.html

Would that be a viable option for front and rear axle swap? Would this also cure the weak transfer case issue?

 

[90ranajo]

Short answer, no. Chevy IFS are driver's side drop. Non IFS Chevys are passenger drop. You'd need a ford D60 & NP203/205 with a Chevy input.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Turdle]

Ok
finally found a 6 lug bolt semi floating axle from an 88 for 75 bux, and they will load it in the truck--trailer whatever we bring

We are going to get it home, tear into it, and change gearing to 4.56.

I am told the rebuild of these is not a complicated deal. I hope this is true.

 

[410Fortune]

I too have replaced the 10 bolt before, it is a weak axle for a stock full size truck , let alone one running 35" tires

12 or 14 bolt from the junk yard IMO is the way to go, should bolt in

 

[Turdle]

We have the 89 6 bolt semi float axle here now. It looks pretty good actually. Dood, it is a huge heavy thing. Forgive my newbie nezz---but dayum!!



Ok,
yukon 4.56 gears and master bearing, install kit
end bearing -seals

I found this disc brake bracket--opinions?

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/caliper-mounting-bracket-standard-p-10.html

 

[90ranajo]

Those are the basically the same brackets I'm using for my rear D60 disk conversion. The downside is that you lose your parking brake.

You'll need the front calipers and rotors off of a '88 GMC V2500 with JB7/JD7 brakes. New price ffom the parts store is about $200-250.

 

[Turdle]

OK, I need to get pictures up in here

Thanks Show for the info

OK, we are going on with this

Front axle (D60) , and manual transfer case swap.


He wants to stay with the auto. Since it is a axle swap-and if the transfer case is changed also, why exactly can it not be passenger side drop?

I'm kind of excited here. I get a chance to swap in an axle with friends. This will be a good thing

 

[90ranajo]

Actually your better bet would be to give [url="http://www.tsmmfg.com/]TSM[/url] a call for their '76-78 Eldorado rear caliper w/parking brake (P/N 3120).

 

[Turdle]

Ok, here's the dealio. 75 bux in it so far

 

[dkchrist]

Very nice!

 

[james t]

If you're going to SAS it, then go to pirate and search the GM section on 88-98 SAS's. Someone makes a leaf conversion kit that uses 73-87 leaves, but IIRC its not worth the money.

For a front diff you want a Ford D60 if you're going 1 ton. All the cases for the 88-98 were driver's drop just like a Ford. Im pretty sure you can swap in a GM NP205 if you get the right intermediate housing and then use a GM front 60 that will be passenger drop.

The problem with all that is, now you have a 6 lug rear and an 8 lug front. If you're going 1 ton, sell that thing and get a FF 10.5 14bolt.

However-

Why not just find an F150 D44 since he's only running 35's? You can swap this front in and throw GM hubs/rotors on it and convert it from 5 on 5.5 to 6 lug.

 

[Turdle]

If you're going to SAS it, then go to pirate and search the GM section on 88-98 SAS's. Someone makes a leaf conversion kit that uses 73-87 leaves, but IIRC its not worth the money.

For a front diff you want a Ford D60 if you're going 1 ton. All the cases for the 88-98 were driver's drop just like a Ford. Im pretty sure you can swap in a GM NP205 if you get the right intermediate housing and then use a GM front 60 that will be passenger drop.

The problem with all that is, now you have a 6 lug rear and an 8 lug front. If you're going 1 ton, sell that thing and get a FF 10.5 14bolt.

However-

Why not just find an F150 D44 since he's only running 35's? You can swap this front in and throw GM hubs/rotors on it and convert it from 5 on 5.5 to 6 lug.

Now that is what I wanted to hear. Thanks James!!!

D44 it will be. He isn't rock crawling with it. Strictly a fish and hunt truck

 

[james t]

35's on that truck an HP44 will be all he ever needs.

Im fairly certain you can swap the whole front in with radius arms and fullsize bronco/F150 coils model up to 79. For steering keep the stock box, and ream everything for the "one ton GM tre's". If you go this route i have a reamer you can borrow.

If you want to go leaves, you'll have to go high steer arms and flattop knuckles which will add some cost. Also, you will need to find a 70something - 77 front with the weld on wedges, as the 78-79 front has cast on wedges that cant be cut off.

 

[dkchrist]

Cage Offroad makes a bolt in kit where you just supply the axle. Check out Offroad Design too.