Sorry if this has been answered else where but just in a hurry. I have heard of people putting an 8.8 axle from a ford into the blazer for added strength. I was wonder if thats true and if a 1999 mustang v6 had that axle. If so i know where one is for about $50. They also have one out of a 1997 explorer but visually doesnt look as good as the mustang..

any help would be great.

 

YEs the 8.8" axles from Ford is a common swap, if your doing a solid axle swap up front. Teh lug pattern on the 8.8 match that on the more common lug patterns for the front axle. Plus the 8.8 is aobut the same width as a stock S10 axle. Plus it may come with disc brakes.More on that in a minute.

The down side, is that the 8.8 has a different bolt pattern then your front axle, no big deal if your changing the front axle too. However if your not changing the front axle you will need to compenstate for two different lug patterns, in other words wheel spacers, or 2 sets of wheels. One set on the front axle and one set on the back axle.

Back to those disc brakes.
Some later years of the Exploder has the desireable axle. I dont know about the Mustang axle. Later years had rear discs.


If your wanting a stronger rear axle that matches the front axle, get a S10 ZR@ axle. It is a 8.5" GM 10bolt axle. Its exactly like a 1/2 ton fullsize axle, just narrower. In our trucks, good to about 37" tires or so.

 

Either from a ZR2, or a 2nd gen with a 5 speed should net you the 8.5" rear.

Same thing goes for the iron front diff... Pretty much guaranteed in a 5 speed, ZR2 or not.