New to forum...and S10 Blazers
Just picked up a real clean 02 Blazer xtreme (190K) and already have a 5.3 on the stand I am building for it...looking forward to better MPG and power...will eventually narrow an 8.5 and re-gear to 3:08 to keep the highway rpm's down
4L60 tranny's are plenty strong with a decent input shaft, sunshell, wide band, corvette servo's, and 5 pinion planetary sets...super easy to build with minimal tools
Completely removed interior and dynamatted top to bottom this last weekend while adding entire new audio system with amps and subwoofer...can't believe how smooth and quiet this thing is now going down the highway
Unfortunately I lost my heater core coming home last night...was like driving home in thick fog...will have that fixed by end of weekend...bit of a job for sure on these things with dash removal
This project has sidelined my 68 Jeepster build for now...it's already on a shortened 2015 JKU Rubicon chassis with a 5.3/4l60e/NP241 powertrain...it's running but still working on finish electrical, steering column to box, and cooling system
Enjoy and keep those wrenches turning!

 

Welcome!

Sounds like we are in for some fun updates on your build! Be sure to keep us posted.

My brother owned a stock 1976 Jeepster for a bit. Cool car!

 

Welcome to the forum.

I too would like to see more info on your builds. I've always been a fan of the Blazer Xtreme. Seems like the perfect platform for an LS swap.

FYI, there are some rare stock Blazers with the 8.5 GM rear axles out there. I'm not sure what build lists they came on, but there are some. They very likely came with 3.42 or 3.73 gears though.

 

very hard to find…only available at right width with disc brakes in 2WD blazers that had 4.3 5 speed combo

 

If you do find one of those "rare" 2wd 8.5, 5 speed diffs. Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1000 used. I bought one for my s10 ls swap project and it ran me $600. Its got 3:42 gears, disc brakes... needs new brakes, parking brake shoes, calipers and seals... Pretty expensive if you ask me. Hopefully it holds up as well as some claim. You can find the wider zr2 8.5 diffs alot easier. But I believe that are 2 inches wider in each direction.