[S10 Racer]

I have an "89" S10 with a factory rearend (8.5 I think) which will not be stout enough for the engine I plan to install. I also have a 9" Ford rearend that is currently in a late model stock car that I have been thinking about putting into the S10. I would like to know if anyone has done this before and what problems I would likely run into. I have also been thinking about tubbing the S10. Would the 9" be a good candidate for that?

Thanks all.

[speedydeedy]

9" is the way to go. To tub it you will have to narrow the frame,so depending on what suspension set up you use the fuel tank will have to be moved.Most put a fuel cell in the bed.

[NEW INTERIORS]

The 9'' is a very good rear end to use.You will have to buy the motor mounts,And headers to fit in that truck.I had a pro street Chevy luv with 18.5 tires under the back.And 456 gears.It would fry the tires as long as i would want too.very fun truck I miss it.Pic in my album of the luv.

[S10 Racer]

This is a race only truck and is not streetable. It already has a fuel cell in the bed and the stock tank is gone. You just have to narrow the frame from a point between the transmission & rearend to allow for bigger & wider tires, right? Will the 9" have to be narrowed also?

Thanks

[NEW INTERIORS]

yes.

[curtis73]

89 S10 should have the 7.5" so its REALLY not stout enough. I only say that so you don't drag your feet on the swap... like don't say to yourself, "I can limp the factory axle along for a while." cause you can't Within a week of installing a 300 hp LS1 in his, my buddy's 7.5" went with a bang just pulling out of his driveway.

[scapegoat]

I have an s10 with a smallblock in it. I put a ford 9" in it out of a late 60's/early 70's bronco with out shortening it. It is a little wider than the factory s10 rearend. I just compensated with different offset wheels in the rear.

[RippinRon]

Originally Posted by curtis73

89 S10 should have the 7.5" so its REALLY not stout enough. I only say that so you don't drag your feet on the swap... like don't say to yourself, "I can limp the factory axle along for a while." cause you can't Within a week of installing a 300 hp LS1 in his, my buddy's 7.5" went with a bang just pulling out of his driveway.

I too grenaded my 7.5" in my 86 cutlass with a mild 350. Late model ZR2 4x4 Blazers and s10s received factory 8.5" rears but they were something like 1.5" wider. How about a 8.8 ford they are pretty stout and are similar in size. Look for 4.0v6 and and explorers for them