Axel/Suspension info - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1957project · 02-12-2011, 01:15 PM

I've heard alot of people talking about S-10 rearends in there trucks. Are these a direct bolt in? If so what year trucks are they out of if you wanted to keep drum brakes. What are people doing for the front suspension to match up? Is there anything cheap out there?

mr48chev · 02-13-2011, 02:24 PM

Not a direct bolt in and most guys use the S 10 4x4 rear end as it is wider than the 2x4 rear by about 3 inches.

Most guys use them because they want to go to a 4 on 4-3/4 bolt pattern on the wheels and because they are inexpensive. Usually on the 47/54 first series trucks though rather than Task Force trucks.

Dan Bowles · 02-13-2011, 03:15 PM

If you are going with one, get a ZR2, they are wider than a stock 4x4. They'll fit a TF. The '54/55S1 beds are the same width so that shouldn't be an issue. S10 front suspensions are narrow under these trucks, though.

1957project · 02-13-2011, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Are all of the ZR-2 rearends disk brakes? Also are the spring seats on top of the axel for the ZR-2 or under like a normal S-10? I'm trying to find out if its worth the money to convert everything or leave it a 3/4ton.

Chevy51 · 02-14-2011, 10:38 AM

1957Project,I just had an S10 4wd rearend put under my 3/4ton truck,and the rear end goes under the springs,because of the clearance on the 3/4ton.All we had to do was change where the shocks bolt on to the axle housing, and the spring perches. You will have to get different Ubolts,at least 7inches,the ones I got are 10inches,at AutoZone. Hope this will help you.

1957project · 02-14-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy51

1957Project,I just had an S10 4wd rearend put under my 3/4ton truck,and the rear end goes under the springs,because of the clearance on the 3/4ton.All we had to do was change where the shocks bolt on to the axle housing, and the spring perches. You will have to get different Ubolts,at least 7inches,the ones I got are 10inches,at AutoZone. Hope this will help you.

Thanks for the info, do you have any pictures posted of your swap? What did you do for your front suspension?

Chevy51 · 02-15-2011, 10:53 AM

1957Project,I don't have pictures of the suspension,I do have pictures of the truck as it looks with the different front and rear suspension,and the heigth. The Ubolts I mentioned are 3and1/8"wide,and 7"to10"long,according to your axle housing you decide to use. The frontend,I used a disc brake kit,that had a 1/2ton straight axle that was with the kit,my friend let me have. I could have used the 3/4ton axle,but the spindles with the kit were for a 1/2ton straight axle. The 1/2ton straight axle bolt right up to the front springs. There are kits you can buy for the 3/4ton,there are vendors,out there and some of the guys/gals on here,can probably help us out. The pictures,I have are not that great,this is the way it sets after I did the swap.Good Luck!

02-12-2011, 01:15 PM	#1
1957project Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 24	Axel/Suspension info I've heard alot of people talking about S-10 rearends in there trucks. Are these a direct bolt in? If so what year trucks are they out of if you wanted to keep drum brakes. What are people doing for the front suspension to match up? Is there anything cheap out there?

02-13-2011, 02:24 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,329	Re: Axel/Suspension info Not a direct bolt in and most guys use the S 10 4x4 rear end as it is wider than the 2x4 rear by about 3 inches. Most guys use them because they want to go to a 4 on 4-3/4 bolt pattern on the wheels and because they are inexpensive. Usually on the 47/54 first series trucks though rather than Task Force trucks.

02-13-2011, 03:15 PM	#3
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Axel/Suspension info If you are going with one, get a ZR2, they are wider than a stock 4x4. They'll fit a TF. The '54/55S1 beds are the same width so that shouldn't be an issue. S10 front suspensions are narrow under these trucks, though.

02-13-2011, 05:00 PM	#4
1957project Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 24	Re: Axel/Suspension info Thanks for the info guys. Are all of the ZR-2 rearends disk brakes? Also are the spring seats on top of the axel for the ZR-2 or under like a normal S-10? I'm trying to find out if its worth the money to convert everything or leave it a 3/4ton.

02-14-2011, 10:38 AM	#5
Chevy51 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Piqua,Ohio Posts: 58	Re: Axel/Suspension info 1957Project,I just had an S10 4wd rearend put under my 3/4ton truck,and the rear end goes under the springs,because of the clearance on the 3/4ton.All we had to do was change where the shocks bolt on to the axle housing, and the spring perches. You will have to get different Ubolts,at least 7inches,the ones I got are 10inches,at AutoZone. Hope this will help you.

02-15-2011, 10:53 AM	#7
Chevy51 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Piqua,Ohio Posts: 58	Re: Axel/Suspension info 1957Project,I don't have pictures of the suspension,I do have pictures of the truck as it looks with the different front and rear suspension,and the heigth. The Ubolts I mentioned are 3and1/8"wide,and 7"to10"long,according to your axle housing you decide to use. The frontend,I used a disc brake kit,that had a 1/2ton straight axle that was with the kit,my friend let me have. I could have used the 3/4ton axle,but the spindles with the kit were for a 1/2ton straight axle. The 1/2ton straight axle bolt right up to the front springs. There are kits you can buy for the 3/4ton,there are vendors,out there and some of the guys/gals on here,can probably help us out. The pictures,I have are not that great,this is the way it sets after I did the swap.Good Luck! Attached Images



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