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Have you searched the s10 forum about info about axle swapping? I swear there's people that have done the 4x4 axle under the 2wd.
I'll be doing the job at some point, I have zr2 axle and diff going under my none zr2 4door. Same difference I'm assuming lol...
And I'll be taking the 4x4 axle and putting it under the 2wd.
This eliminates the need of spacers to even the stance.
So far only difference I've found, being under both vehicle at the se time, is the yoke... mounting hardware for stabilizers I think(but they are transferable), shock absorber brackets(also transferable). Both ujoints for 2wd a 4x4 that are between the driveshaft and yoke are the same.
I think that the 4x4 axle might be longer from yoke to rear of housing, but I haven't taken a measuring tape to it... and that only from reading, look the same length, just smaller housing.
I could be wrong on things as I haven't physically finished the swaps yet. But maybe can find info on the s10 forum, not sure if you'll get a response to any questions asked tho...
From all that I have read...The 4x4 axle will fit under the 4x2 and will widen your stance by 2' on either side...
I've got 1 1/4" spacers on my 02' 4x2 and my tires now fall directly under the fender and look great.. You may end up needing to ad those plastic fender extensions to correct the over correction of the wider axle...
I have 1.5 spacer on there now, and there a little rub on the lip.
I picked up an xtreme kit not too long ago. My plan is to trim the lip in the wheel well, covering with bondo and paint to prevent rust, and then having he plastic flare to cover the work.
This is on the zq8 package. If you have a standard height 2wd, not the stock lowered package, then I don't think the tires coming that far will make a difference unless your fully loaded...
DonL
I've got a standard version 2wd 2 door.. That 1 1/4" spacer sits perfect, no rub and actually a little room to spare, with no loss of turn radius.. Sitting on 235/75 R15 tires...
And on my search, NO... lolol I've only located the one axle, but after reading the reviews on where it was coming from, canceled the order.. There is a shop near by that can get one, It's the price that is killing me now...But it will happen, just a lot more expansive than was hoping for.. It's going to take few days to get it, but I should be back to normal in a week or so... Until then, I'm babying the hell out of it, ...
From all that I have read...The 4x4 axle will fit under the 4x2 and will widen your stance by 2' on either side...
I've got 1 1/4" spacers on my 02' 4x2 and my tires now fall directly under the fender and look great.. You may end up needing to ad those plastic fender extensions to correct the over correction of the wider axle....
Don't get rid of that 8.625" ring gear 4x2 housing/assembly. They are like hen's teeth to the S10 people and worth some $$$ as they are a direct bolt-in without any narrowing. Early 2000's 4x2 Blazer and S10 with 4.3/5 speed only.
I have one in my race truck. It's strong enough for a lightweight vehicle on slicks using a transbrake (full spool w/c-clip eliminators and strengthening rear cover, not G80 carrier). Spider gears in an Eaton Posi went south first time I used the transbrake and necessitated the full spool. Little did I know at the time that spider gears and transbrakes never get along.
BTW, you have 30 spline axles in that 8.625 rear (not 28).
So with the 30 count, I think that means the 4x4 axle won't work?
I'm thinking that the axles just can't be swapped between the rears but if there's a length difference, I would expect that the axles couldn't be swapped between them anyway.
8.625 rear has 30 spline axles and disk brakes (both 2WD and 4WD)
8.5 rear has 28 spline axles and drum brakes (both 2WD and 4WD)
Year 2000 was approximate beakpoint between axle type.
2WD is narrowest - then 4WD is wider - then 4WD ZR2 is even wider.
7.625 rear has 28 spline axles and disk brakes (both 2WD and 4WD)
7.5 rear has 26 spline axles and drum brakes (both 2WD and 4WD)
Year 2000 was approximate beakpoint between axle type.
2WD is narrowest - then 4WD is wider - I don't believe any ZR2s ever used 7.5/7.625 ring gears.
All of these will bolt onto the springs in the same vehicle. 3 different widths, 4 different ring gears, two types of brakes, and a whole bunch of different axles. Driveshaft lengths are different between 7.5/7.625 and 8.5/8.625
The OP has the most uncommon type. 8.625 2WD
10-bolt trivia:
When repairing 8.625 rears,
They take the same ring/pinion as 8.5 but you use the larger carrier bearings/shims for a 12-bolt.
8.625 front yoke/seal is larger diameter at the seal, but 8.5 yoke can be used if 8.5 seal is also used.
Aftermarket 8.5 posi carriers are made to use the 8.625 12-bolt-type carrier bearings. If you use a aftermarket posi carrier in an older 8.5 rear, then you need some special bearings that are available in order to fit it into the case.
