I have a '97 s-10, 2wd, extended cab truck that I am retiring & an '03 s-10 Blazer 2wd chassis that I originally picked up to rebody my Willys panel truck onto. In my haste, I failed to notice that the Blazer chassis is appx 8" too narrow, 8" too short & the wrong rail configuration. ( I went to get a truck chassis but got talked into the Blazer instead) The rail config & length I could handle, but the narrow part I'm not messing with. However, the '97 chassis could be a viable candidate to modify & rebody. It would have to have a beefy rear for the 455 BBB/200-4r GN combo I'm going to use. Since both chassis's are GM, could I bolt the bigger Blazer 4 wheel disc brakes onto the '97 chassis that currently has a std disc/drum set-up? The current stock 7 5/8" rear would work for daily driving but wouldn't last with much "lead footing". My other option is to modify my Willys 2wd chassis that has a front beam axle to use the Blazer discs. I would also have to adapt a beefier rear axle to handle the BBB 455 torq. Does GM have a heavy rear that could be adapted & possibly use the larger Blazer disc brakes? Should I figure on using a Ford 9" instead? All ideas & suggestions are appreciated. By the time I get this Willys done it will have been designed & built with the input of the "v8 Buick crew", so get your thoughts/ideas/suggestions coming. :beer Thom Kleckner
I believe the Nova rear axle will bolt in....it is a leaf spring rear and it is a corporate 8.5" rear.
Thanks George, Is the 8.5" the rear referred to as the 10 bolt? Is it stong enough for the BBB? Can I get a posi for it with about a 3.70 gear? Do you have a recommended year range to be looking for? Thom
Yes, it is a 10 bolt and yes, you can get many parts for it...posi and gears are cheap....I would use 3.08 since the BBB has plenty of power and the 3.08 is good for city and hwy use. Contact Monzaz here and he can tell you for sure what will interchange....I just spoke to him in OH at the BPG meet and this subject came up.
