[bmpmdf]

I just traded a car that I may never get to do for a early std cab, short bed S-10. This thing has been taken apart and the entire frame was repainted high gloss black. All bushings, frontend parts, etc., are brand new!!! I am going to try my hand at painting the inside of the cab first, and if it isn't any good, I'll have someone else paint the outside. This little toy has brand new GM front fenders on it ! All other body work is DONE ! It is in the metal etching primer right now. I am going to put a 68 350 HO short block in it. I am trying to decide which heads to use, but I have to keep in mind that I want to drive it. Might have fun trying in vain for traction ! I am thinking about using my 428 small valve heads on it after I redo them along with some port work and new stainless valves ( already got them, so why not!). I am thinking that for a cam, I will need more duration to kill some of the low end, so maybe a XE268 or bigger? Looks like I can modify some headerss I have to fit too. Yeah, I am looking forward to it. I am thinking it will be either the blue from the 78 T/A's or the blue used on the T/A's from 70 -72.

[bmpmdf]

I just traded a car that I may never get to do for a early std cab, short bed S-10. This thing has been taken apart and the entire frame was repainted high gloss black. All bushings, frontend parts, etc., are brand new!!! I am going to try my hand at painting the inside of the cab first, and if it isn't any good, I'll have someone else paint the outside. This little toy has brand new GM front fenders on it ! All other body work is DONE ! It is in the metal etching primer right now. I am going to put a 68 350 HO short block in it. I am trying to decide which heads to use, but I have to keep in mind that I want to drive it. Might have fun trying in vain for traction ! I am thinking about using my 428 small valve heads on it after I redo them along with some port work and new stainless valves ( already got them, so why not!). I am thinking that for a cam, I will need more duration to kill some of the low end, so maybe a XE268 or bigger? Looks like I can modify some headerss I have to fit too. Yeah, I am looking forward to it. I am thinking it will be either the blue from the 78 T/A's or the blue used on the T/A's from 70 -72.

[bmpmdf]

I do have a question for you guys, Do you know the witdh of the rearends on these things? I am thinking one from a later 70's 8.5 will work? Thanks.

[bmpmdf]

Does anyone know if the later 96- 2001 8.5 rears will accept a posi unit from a mid 70's T/A rear? I found one out of a rare 4.3 5 speed blazer with 3.73 gears but it is a one legger.

[Jeff Walker]

According to my CR seal and bearing catalog they have the same bearings on the carrier and pinion. So chances are pretty good that the older posi would work for you. HTH

[455guy]

Throw a lock rite locker in that rear and be done with it...

[bmpmdf]

Thanks guys. Went back today for the rear, well, sometimes you just shouldn't wait! So I'll have to keep looking.

[bmpmdf]

Does anyone have 3.73 gears for a Dana 44 REAREND??

[455guy]

According to what I've read, the 8.5" isn't that rare in s10's from 95 to 2001.. Are the widths the same???

[speedshopmike]

the older carrier will work fine.
not sounding immodest, i know ****loads about s10 v8 swaps.
if you need anything, i am about to part out my sbc/t56/torsen,moser axle, etc all done truck.
i have good swaybars, edelbrock shocks, new springs, etc etc including a hand built dash w/ phantom gauges.
lemme know if u need help or wanna buy anything off mine.
mike

[bmpmdf]

The 8.5's are in the "hey, it's a Ram Air car" catogory! The ZR package will mount the wheels about 4 inches outside of the bedside. The regular 4wd willbe about 4 inches overall wider than stock. The only ones the right width are 2wd 4.3 V6 blazers, and even those are a 1/2" wider on each side. But I have made a change in direction there. I am using a 8.8 3.73 limited slip rear from an Explorer. Cheaper, easy to find, and the spring pads are only a total of a 1/2 inch different. This going to be a fun little truck.

[455guy]

Hmmmm... 8.8 ford you say ... I might just have to look in my local boneyard ... 3.73's are a bit higher then I wanted but cheap is the name of the game here !!

[455guy]

Hey speedshopmike.. What's the deal for the rear axel? What would you suggest on a budget for my 455 2wd blazer??

[bmpmdf]

The gear ratio is right on the tag on Explorer 8.8 rearends. If the tag has an "L" between the 3 and 73, it is a 3.73 limited slip. They also had 3.27 limited slip & open rears, and a 3.55, although that one was very rare. There was also in 4wd with towing package and baseline V6 engine some rears in both 4.10 limited slip and non limited slip. Nice to have worked on the rearend/chassis assembly line at S.L.A.P., otherwise known as St. Louis Assembly Plant where the Ford Explorer, Merc Mountineer, and Linclon Aviator are built.

[455guy]

Thanks ford boy !! Hehehehee

[Fast Floridian]

all s-10 rears are 54 inches except 4 wheel drive

[bmpmdf]

[stash]

hey bmpmdf, been reading your post,just wanted to share some of my exp. with the s/10. good thing your not using the s/10 rear. i could never keep one together very long, even with just a warmed over 350 chev. i can imagine what pontiac torque would do. also if i may make a suggestion, since your putting in a different rear any way this is what worked well on a couple of mine. i used a dana 44 out of a jeep cj, it was narrower and allowed me to run a deep offset rear wheel. i know that is basically the same size rear as the later s/10 but they seemed to hold up better for me. maybe the shorter axles where a little less prone to twist? and i think that the s/10 rears i had the most trouble with were the early ones,they may have been only a 7.5 r/p don't remember. good luck on your build. also if you want i might be able to dig some old photo's up of the ones i narrowed the frames on and ran 18x33.it was super easy and if you have a mig total cost for materials would be about 50.00. i use to be able to do one in less than a day including r/r bed. good luck stan.

[card169]

im doing almost the same thing, im dropping a 305 h.o out of a 83 trans am into a s10 with a edelbrock performer package just now starting on it any advice you can give me or anything is verry much appreciated, anybody on here can contact me card169@aol.com just put s10 v8 into the subject i need help lol, im young and dumb, this is my first engine build ive ever done and first custom project so any help would be great

[455guy]

Hey man let me know what ya think.. Olds Bravada grille looks like a poncho to me....