the install of gears it usually more expensive than the gears themselves. for the money, its the best 'seat of the pants' performance increase you can do though.

 

I'm going to be hunting the junkyards but if I'm not lucky, how much do you think a re gear job would cost? I'm hoping to just score the axles and swap them though, I can do that myself but I have never rebuilt axles before.

 

I have put several ring and pinions in my 04 s10, it's not toooo hard but its pretty straight forward to swap stuff over. I went from a gu6 where the carrier exploded to a gu6-g80 that had water get in the diff again thanks to a Crew Cab design flaw to another gu6-g80. I just took the bearings and such out of the donor axle and moved it all to the s10. Worked like a champ and everything stayed the same. I pland on gu6-g80ing my blazer in the spring time as well. The open carrier sucks big time in the rain, I'm afraid to see how bad when we get a real snowing.

 

If your gunna regear any ways call yards & ask for a 98+ bravada. Stock they come with 3.73 & g80's also then you can do a bravada tube swap & have a stronger front end. Just my .02

 

Did the 31's just fit with the sl or did.any other modifications have to.be made im wanting to do the exact same thing but.having so.many contradicting replys

 

Everyone's experience is different because there are so many variables, but in general most people find that they can fit 31x10.5 on stock rims with a 1.5-2" t-bar lift and shackles as long as you're ok with rubbing occasionally on the back of the front fender, the frame, and the sway bar. To prevent rubbing the 2.5" RC suspension lift is a better way to go, or you can get into things like a body lift and/or fender trimming or a combination of the above. Read through the suspension lift sticky threads, and through some of the build threads of people who have done what you're thinking of doing. That will give you the best idea of what is required.

 

I recently put 31s on my blazer with the stock wheels and i only rub on the frame at full lock. I have a 1.5 tbar and aal in the back, should be fine with 31s aslong as you dont crank the wheels. Also i did loose a little power but not enough to worry, shes never let me down on the trails. You just wont be able to peal out as well as with the 235s.

 

It depends on the model blazer as well. ZR2s came stock with the 31's, at least mine did.

I was able to get Cooper STTs - 31's put on yesterday with no rub or trimming needed. The only thing I have done is an add a leaf to level the suspension out.

Main point is each application is different.

 

Very true, there are a few different heights for factory suspension. The ZR2s are ~2" higher and came with 31s and 3.73 gears to match. I know my Blazer was about 3/4 - 1"(noticable anyway) lower than the Blazer that was parked beside it on the car lot.