S10 Blazer 10 bolt w/discs?

[Marty G Cars]

I was just about to start to get into installing my DSE rear leafs w/mono to multi conversion on my 68 RS/SS Camaro. After doing some research I have come to an interesting juncture. My 68 already has an 8.5" Nova 10 bolt w/drum brakes and mono leafs. I was planning to add the Touring Classics 12" rear disc kit ($650) when I changed to the DSE 3" drop leafs (also using the DSE mono to multi kit).

Then I discovered that through a friend I can source out a good used S10 Blazer 8.5" 10 bolt complete w/disc brakes for about $600. :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: All I need to do is get the measurements to make sure there will be a good fit and have new leaf perches welded appropriately. I will be adding new wheels with a custom offset anyway so if this is a viable option, I could essentially get the S10 10 bolt installed and then order the wheels to fit.

Since this car is my attempt at a budget PT project, I was wondering if anyone else has researched or tried this variation. I don't plan to ever have more than 400-450hp in this car and maybe even less than that since my plan is basically just a simple PT daily driver.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Marty

[Supercharged 86]

I'm pretty positive that all S10 rears were 7.5"ers and if that's the case it wouldn't be worth it.

[hot66]

I've been looking at that one, too. I think it would make a great setup, since the blazers had 15" wheels.
What I have learned so far is there was an 8.5 in the five speed 2wd 2 door blazers, I beleive the rest had the 7.5.
I think the best approach would be to bolt a set of 2wd blazer disc onto your nova 8.5 rear. I think it is a bolt on, with the possible problem of the staggered shock clearance. I also know the 8.5 in the blazers had necked down axle tubes. Some of the blazers had the calipers behind the axle, some in front, and s-10 pickups were in the front. Also watch how the e-brake cables route.
Let us know what you find. I also would like to know if anybody has any other info on these.

Good Luck!
Jeff

[JMarsa]

I've always wondered about te ZR2 rear axle. That truck was on a different and wider chassis than the other 4x4's. It looks stout but I don't know which rear it actually is. According to a little research it may be the 8.5" 10 bolt. This link (like many others from the press) only state it has a "10.5 inch ring gear". http://www.truckworld.com/Truck-Tests/2000-chevy/y2k-chevy.html

--JMarsa

[myclone]

S10 FWIW/FYI

ZR2s have the 8.5 diff but its wider than any existing S truck diff including regular 4x4s.

4x4 diffs are slightly wider than 2wd trucks but not as wide as the above mentioned ZR2.

Its true the axle tubes on the S trucks are necked down slightly just outside the center section but it shouldnt be a huge issue really since youre welding on perches anyways.

If youre scrounging through the bone yards for an 8.5 unit look at any 2wd or 4wd S truck with the 4.3 and stick trans as well as 2wd extremes. If memory serves me correct all extended cab V6/stick trucks have the 8.5 but not all regular cabs have it.

The 2wd S10 blazer with the V6/stick should have a 8.5 diff (2wd blazers are rare once you get north of say NC or therebouts so if youre up north good luck finding one). Not sure what the 4x4 blazer came with though but Id assume a 7.5 unless its one of the extreme blazers then its hard to tell since I dunno if any extreme blazers came with a stick trans :dunno: .

Thats about all I know right off the top of my head but I do know there is a guy on ebay located in FL that does nothing but part out S trucks all the time. I cant recall his screen name right off but a search on ebay under car parts, differentials, and extreme will prolly turn up his auctions (he sells a BUNCH of interior S truck stuff too). IIRC the 8.5 disc rears he sells go for ~$600 so its not the cheapest route by any means but most of his stuff is low mile and complete (assuming what he says in the auction description is true) and his feedback is way up there in numbers and all positive.

HTH

[zman1969]

axle will be to narrow - how about using 98-02 f-body rear disc about 150-250$ off e-bay 12"x1" rotors and the bolt on - only have to fab -e-brake setup and caliper hoses use metric bubble flares - pretty wasy swap - im doing on my 69 T/A clone with 8.5 nova rear :smoke: