I have a 99 LS 2dr and I did a 2.5" lift. I need to drop the transfer case so the axles are in the right place. My question is this...I was going to replace the front axles anyways but can I put in axles from a ZR2 instead of relocating the transfer case ? I heard they are longer and might work. Does anyone know for sure ?

Thanks !
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A new half shaft won't fix it. The problem is the angle is more than the CV's can deal with. If front chassis ride height is out of spec, either too high or too low, it's gonna eat the CV's, along with ball joints and outer tie rod ends. You can try adjusting the torsion bars, but with a 2.5" lift, you might not be able to get it back in spec.

Front chassis ride height is the vertical distance between the lower-most inboard point of the steering knuckle, nearest the ball joint, to the center of the lower control arm pivot bolt.

1996& newer 4WD(except ZR2) = 4.6” to 5.0” (4.8” is preferred)

 

but isn't the transfer case mounted the same ? If the transfer case is mounted the same in both the ZR2 and the LS the only real difference I seen was the half shafts. Not sure what else would have to be changed . ? . I done the new keys and upper control arm made by rough country which has all the new ball joints.

 

Just to get this straight, transfer case is on the back of the trans and provides power to the rear end and front end via drive shafts, The front diff is in the front and has 2 cv axles on it that go to the wheels.

 

oops sorry. ...ok so I still need to do the transfer case relocation. What else would there be or is there anything else other then that ? Bare with me...my first almost anything on a car/truck.

 

I put a 2 inch lift on a s10 at work a few months back the cv joints couldn't hande it at all. The boots pulled off the axles and sprayed grease all over within the first block of driving it. If you just want a cheap lift do a body lift

 

The ZR2 has a different frame to get its lift. What lift did you use to get 2.5"? I know the rough country 2.5 kit comes with brackets to lower the front differential so you can keep the cv angles acceptable. There is no need to lower the transfer case, it won't help a bit with the front axles.

 

When front chassis ride height is increased out of spec, the engine, transmission, transfer case, front differential, steering center link, idler arm, pitman arm, and all 8 inboard mounts for the control arms, all move upward simultaneously. This causes the operating angles to increase on all 4 CV joints, all 4 ball joints, and both outer tie rod ends. You're asking them to do something that they were not designed to do, which causes them to wear out prematurely. A body lift will not affect front chassis ride height significantly, and would be a far better choice.

ZR2 has a wider frame, that's why the axles are longer

 

thanks for all the input guys. I used rough country for my parts but had to do it in sections. Couldn't afford it all at once so I am paying the same just over a period of time. So that kit comes with the front diff relocation....I thought it said transfer...no wander I am so frkn confused. this is my first lift so I will get the relocation bracket and do it that way. Heck...I may as well replace the cv axles same time to make sure no damage has been done.

I really appreciate all the info guys !

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