S10 Swap - What Rear End to use

[rwrogers11]

I'm getting a 52 3100, thats sitting on a 80's S10 frame. I plan on putting a 350 in it with somewhere between 350hp and 400hp. This will be a daily driver, not a race/track truck.

With that, what transmission and rear end would you recommend? Will the S10 rear end handle that, or will I need to get something from a camaro or such?

Is there a rear end that will work that is a bolt up, or will I need to modify any of them?

Thanks,
Richard

[1project2many]

Manual or auto trans? With or without overdrive? Tire size? Do you know what cam you're using? What's your driving style?

3.27 - 3.73 is a reasonable range for street gears with a mild performance engine. Note this is a very generic recommendation. Camaro / S10 axle holds up to mild driving ok. Gears from 80s+ Camaro rear can be installed in most S10 rears.

Any more specific recommendations require more detailed information.

[rwrogers11]

Automatic-
Driving style, fast, lead foot.
Not sure on tire size yet.
Cam, I'm still looking into, its going to be a daily driver, but I like that old school loping sound.

Thanks,
Richard

[1project2many]

In that case a Ford 9" or GM 12 bolt might be the best choice. The S10 is narrow so either of those axles will have to be narrowed. Some of the later Jeep Wagoneers or Grand Wagoneers come with a Dana 44 that might be tough enough.

Overdrive trans works ok with 3.73 to 4.10 gears.

[rwrogers11]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

In that case a Ford 9" or GM 12 bolt might be the best choice. The S10 is narrow so either of those axles will have to be narrowed. Some of the later Jeep Wagoneers or Grand Wagoneers come with a Dana 44 that might be tough enough.

Overdrive trans works ok with 3.73 to 4.10 gears.

So a rear end out of a camaro won't work? Just wondering why I would need to go from chevy to having a ford rear end.

Thanks,
Richard

[1project2many]

Well... "Won't work" isn't the same as "Not the best choice." The 7.5" and 7.625" GM axles aren't known for holding up to hard use and they definitely don't put up with abuse. The 82 and up Camaro axle is about the same as the S10 axle in terms of strength. Same differential, same axle bearing sizes. The width is different and the spring mounting is different. So installing an axle from an 82 or newer Camaro results in a bunch of work for little gain. If you can find an axle from a ZR2 Blazer or S10 you'll have something a bit stronger than the average S10 axle but it may be wider than the 2wd S10.

For most of us, we want to match the axle to how we drive. The 7.5" / 7.625" GM is not usually the best choice for hard driving.

[rwrogers11]

So how do you deal with the bolt pattern from the ford to the chevy? Can you put chevy axle's in it?

Thanks,
Richard

[1project2many]

A careful guy can redrill the axles. If you're narrowing the housing then you can order axles with the GM pattern. Or you can change the front to match the Ford.

The 8.5" GM 10 and the 12 bolt can be found with the right pattern. The ZR2 axle is an 8.5" 10 bolt.