[i8htbmps2000]

do you think an s-10 rear end can handle the torq form a 3.9

 

[Pantherman]

do you think an s-10 rear end can handle the torq form a 3.9

I don't know for sure, but me and a friend are betting that a S10Blazer rear end will hold up, my 4BT is stock with 105HP and 262Ft-lbs/torque. We're putting a Nv3500 5 speed behind it (supposed to put up with 300 ft-lbs/torque).

Pantherman

 

[95Z28A4]

do you think an s-10 rear end can handle the torq form a 3.9

It depends upon whether you have the 7 5/8" or 8 1/2" rearend. I don't think you'll have a problem with the 8 1/2" in a light vehicle such as an S10. I have experience with the 7 5/8" axles in S10 Trucks, Blazers and 4th generation f-bodies. Most of that experience is bad. In fact, as of this moment, my 1995 Z28 has a blown 7 5/8" axle. I have a Strange 12 bolt 8 7/8" 33 spline axle with Eaton posi that I will begin installing tomorrow. This axle cost $2550 shipped. If I could have easily adapted a GM 8 1/2" axle to my Z28, I would have. I believe it would withstand the 400HP/450torque of my LT1.

All 2WD S-10's up until approximately 1994 had the 7 5/8" axle. 4 cylinder & 2.8 vehicles had 26 spline axles and 4.3 vehicles had 28 spline axles. Sometime around 1990 4.3 4WD vehicles began using 8 1/2" 30 spline axles. Around 1995 2WD 4.3 high output manual tranny vehicles also began using 8 1/2" 30 spline axles. Also, 4WD axles are wider then 2WD axles.


Mike

 

[TurboDiesel Sonoma]

If you want to make sure your rearend stays together you could use an 8.8 Ford rearend out of an explorer. You can find these as cheap as $200 with a factory posi and a few different gear choices. Otherwise you could search out a 96+ GM 8.5" rearend. They came in S10 4x4s with 4.3 V6 and 5spds. If you get one of the 8.5 S10 rears you can also stick with the 3.42 ratio. Downside is the 8.5s in S10s are pretty rare.

I lucked out when I did my 350 swap in my 94 Sonoma 4x4. I found a 97 Sonoma in the junkyard with a posi 3.42 rearend. What neither I nor the JY guy noticed at the time was the rearend was an 8.5! I stole that thing for $150! It bolted right in! I had to have the rear driveshaft shortened a bit but that was also partly due to the 350 swap.