I was reading that a ZR2 rear end is a nice upgrade for non-zr2'srear ends, because its a 8.5" instead of 7.5" making it stronger. Just wanted to know if its a direct bolt in? Right now I have 3.42 gears so could I have 3.73/4.10 in back and 3.42 of front, or would that not work? And lastly would the front diff. from a ZR2 bolt right in so I could have matching gears and are the fronts of a ZR2 any stronger than in a stock 96 blazer 4-door? Sorry for all the questions, but any help would be great. Thanks

 

you cant really use two different gears in the front and the back... one axle would be spinning faster than the other = transfer case will die

 

The ZR2 axle is also a little wider, if I remember right...

Any 2nd gen Blazer with a 5 speed should have the 8.5" and the iron front diff.

 

Thanks. Also since I currently have drum brakes on the rear, do I have to do anything to make the disc brakes on a ZR2 rear end work?

 

Yes, and good question.
You will need to change the master and the proportioning valve. Drums require less pressure then discs. Take them from teh donor truck.

 

Are you hacking up a Zr2? if so, send me pm i want to tlak to you about some stuff.

 

i am hacking up a zr2 any info would be appreciated


[/align]

 

Thanks, I had to do that on my camaro, butwasn't positive if it was the same for blazers.

 

Nope, but I'm going to go junkyard shoping in the next week or two and see what I can find.

 

Well, if you insist on using an axle from a ZR2, then at least your rear wheels will stick out at least as far as the fronts, lol.

The track width of a ZR2 is wider, you might run into some issues with that.

I have the 8.5" diff, and I'm not a ZR2 [8D]

There's a few 4 doors that have it too... Jigg found one awhile back, lol, even had 3.42's in it.