I suggest what an S10 owner might do. Many people with s10 and any kind of horsepower or large tires should upgrade to a ford exploder 8.8" rear end. They have a chance at living at those power levels.. 31 spline axle shafts, 3.25" outer tube, 1.32" axle shaft diameter, etc. They are so much stronger than a Chevy 8.5 from an S10 it s not funny. There is no comparing them. Its a quite popular axle for performance use. The mustang had a weaker version but the ring gear etc is the same size(28 spline axles on the mustang and ranger-certain rangers have 31 spline-rare). Huge variety of upgrades for these axles.. very popular for swaps...
1990-49 are drum.. 95+ are disc brakes! They are a bit wider, but not much than an s10. I think some explorer axles are different widths? bolt pattern can be changed... heres an s10 forum with more details on it
http://www.mys10.com/showthread.php?t=6545
P.S. don't get the price of my 8.8 exploder axles raised at the junk yards
