Is the back axel shorter then the front? If so by how much and what can I do to make the back tires stick out as much on the front? Thanks in advance for any info or help. 1998 4 door 4x4.

 

The normal Blazer 4x4 axle is right around 2.5" narrower than the front track. The two best options to make the rear the same width as the front: Wheel spacers or replace the rear axle. 1.25" hub-centric/wheel-centric spacers are fairly inexpensive.


FYI, you could also use rims with shallower backspacing on the rear but that gets complicated for rotating your tires.

 

Alrighty then sounds like I'll just go with spacers then. I don't really wanna deal all the other crap but thanks man

 

I decided to get a ZR2 Blazer rear axle that is 3.9" wider than a stock 4x4 Blazer So I assume each rear tire will stick out about 3/4" more than the fronts. I have never noticed this on any ZR2 model,but they have fender flares that conceal this.

 

2004 Blazer , The Zr2 front diff is almost 4" wider than a regular blazer front diff so I think the reason you don't see it on your Z is that the front diff is still wider than the back....correct me if I am wrong . my front definitely look wider than the back.

 

The front diff is the same width ( tracking ) in both models ( Blazers ) and mine is not a ZR2. ( Edit : I was mistaken ZR2 is wider up front ) The ZR2 rear axle would have to be 8" wider than stock in your scenario ! Wrong, you must have a cloned ZR2 or an axle swap has been done.

 

Sorry , I thought you had a Z , and the Z front axle is definitely wider than a standard blazer axle. Hence the longer CV axles required.

 

The front differentials are a direct swap. The ZR2 rear "axle" is 3.9inches wider than stock Blazer 4x4 axle which is wider than the pickup 2 wheel drive axle. The ZR2 front axle is wider, with different axle shafts, than a stock 4x4 blazer, and the front control arms mount at a different location on the frame.

 

The front diff itself is exactly the same whether you have a ZR2 or non-ZR2. You can swap them as long as you match the gear ratio with your rear axle. There is however a difference in track width. The ZR2 front track width is about 3 inches wider due to different control-arm mounting points. On the ZR2 the control arm mounting points are spaced out from the frame, and are lower down on the frame. Due to this the ZR2s use longer CV axles on the front.

 

I consider the complete unit to be the front diff , not just the carrier housing.....I guess terminology never changed for me when independent suspension became common . My Bad.


Strangerock