The grill might be the most challenging fab work i have done in a simple garage/shop. I might need some more sheet metal. I'm running out of welding gas too. I don't have a tig welder yet but might have to see about getting one to do the grill.

 

Also, did you do some work on the bumper corners? The shinny parts pushed in?

Edit: was also looking at your rear axle, ever consider trying to find a zr2 axle? They are wider and would eliminate the need for spacers, plus the disc brakes lol...

 

 

bumper corners- yes i cut the corner off and back filled with that "shinny" plate. I think they look much better that way. I have a set of 4" rounds to be fitted in the lower section as well to do.

Rear Axle- I don't think the zr2 axle will still be long enough. I have been toying with a full-size truck axle along with the transfer case and front diff out of a wrecked late model Silverado. People say it cant be done and that might be true but I want to take a closer look. Remember I have a HO 383 slated to be installed some time within the next year. Let me know what you think. I would like six lug axles (CV-front) with disks all the way around with 4/10 gears. I think a 1/2 ton will be fine for the estimated 450hp before adding forced air/pony adders. I will consider a 3/4 ton if the right one comes along. Not sure the HD models are anything different as far as size of gears and such...

Six speed manual- I will be looking for a performance six speed manual. I have not researched that at all.

Holly Sniper- I have decided to look into a dual TBI setup for my ecm and FI. they can support 1200 CFM and 800HP so I should be able to grow into a blower with this system. Not sure I see too many people running "dual quads" in FI. I many take that good 4.3L and install it in my 2001 toyota corolla making it a rear wheel drive car.

I cant wait till i retire...

 

For the zr2 axle, it should bring the wheels flush with the front. A few have done this swap just for that reason, I'm in the middle of rebuilding the rear axle and cast iron front diff from one to do it myself.

I know of 6 lug blazers over seas, and wondered if a Silverado or Sierra type hub and such would be able to fit somehow. Just not sure if relocating the mounting locations would need to be done. But it all honesty, with the work your doing, I would add that to the list. But at that point, have you thought about doing a SAS?

As for the corolla, that's a build I wanna see lol. I remember going to a car show maybe 18-20 years ago in Toronto. There was a 97 or so hatchback civic with a 454 jambed under the hood!

 

DonL
Solid axle is not for me. I want to keep the IFS just beefier. I am so surprised that it is taking so long for the manufacturers to get with the program on IFS. SAS have been done and I'm looking to be different on this build. I doubt this truck will make it to a full blown mud pit but i do intend on driving it to enjoy it. I have not seen many s-10 blazer swaps that keep the IFS and 4x4, I'm going to cram a full size IFS under mine- or so i say...

4.3 in the toy- can you imagine the power to weight ratio if i put a super charger on it? that car is less than 2500 lbs now.

 

In that case, have you looked upon this with the new rear end?

 

What the hell DonL? I was looking but never came a crossed that. I will look into it. it seems expensive but it is a selectable locker? WFH.

 

I looked into that and can offer this info on it. It's based on a Dana 30 so the only thing you'll gain out of it is it will accept an expensive selectable locker. It will still have a 7.2 ring gear setup, not what you'd really want to transmit 450 hp. You also have to supply the axle for it which will make it 5 lug unless you go with something aftermarket. It will also use standard IFS components. The only advantage to this unit is that it will accept a real locker.

As far as rear end width goes a ZR2 will be roughly 63 inch WMS. A full size 10 bolt will be 67 inches or there bouts. If you'd like something that comes with 6 lugs you may want to look at a Isuzu Rodeo. A later model (98+) will be 63 inches WMS to WMS, standard with 4:10 ratio and can have disc brakes. Incidentally it's a Dana 44 albeit modified. It will come with a 4 link setup that will have to be cut off and spring mounts for leaf springs installed if that's the way you'd like to go. Another thing to keep in mind is that it can accept standard Dana 44 components also if you use a conversion kitand want to change to really deep gearing because I think 4:77 is about the limit with a stock rear end. If you want something wider get some spacers or modify your wheel offset of your rims?

 

Eshaw- thanks. I did check today and was a bit discouraged... at nearly 4k and the quality of the work made my eyebrow raise. Thanks for the above info. I am running a standard blazer rear axle with 1.5 spacers and wheel offset. My measurements currently are 56.5" inside tread and 73.5" outside. tread is 8.5.wheel offset is like 5" all that said, i think my current axle is around 59" WMS. the fullsize is 67" which means new rims would be in order (six lug and overall width). I don;t like using billet spacers but had to- so I could continue with the build while driving it. having the larger axle will cure the wheel spacer whooose.

Yes the 7.2 is not desirable. I would like the larger gm (3/4 or ton) but will settle for a 8.6 in the half ton. not sure what size ring the ZR2 has. The rodeo is interesting. I would like to get a good posi or electric locker set to install so this is of interest. I will do some searching locally. I will most likely do a link suspension anyway but the Isuzu setup will be too light and too much effort to modify. 4 links are not hard to build. does the axle off set work with the s-10 setup? has anyone used the rodeo IFS?