Fullsize Front axle

[drivin2fast]

ok guys, Ive been thinking about putting full size (1/2 ton) truck axles under my truck so that I can buy a cheaper lift... I know this really isnt much for a s10 question, but after looking at Dipple\'s truck pics after he had posted them on here I got to thinking more... I check out his website (http://www.dipple.com/blazer/default.htm) and he says, he has 1/2 ton CHEVY front axle... everyone I talk to says that the gear housing (pumpkin) on a chevy is on the passenger side of the truck, meaning to acomplish this sort of swap would mean getting a full size truck transfercase... so unless chevy did make an axle with the pumpkin on the driver side the axle he has under his truck is ford or maybe dodge... if anyone has any input id appreciate it... I know the axles are wider, and would require frame mods but I work in a steel shop, so anything is accomplishable...

[Zack]

I have an 87 K-5 Blazer. The pumpkin in front is on the pass side. However, I took an 88 Chevy Pickup for a test drive the other day, and on the 4 wheel drive indicator thing that shows a picture of the axles and drive shafts and lights up and stuff - that showed the pumpkin being on the drivers side. I didn\'t get under it and look to be 100% positive though, because I didn\'t know that you were going to ask.

[drivin2fast]

i didnt know I was going to ask either, but thanks anyways!

[duckaholic40sb]

yes this is true,chevy 88 on up has had the pumpkin, or so called 3rd member on the driverside, which goes along with ford and dodge that have dana 40s and 60s on the front end, no one option is to get an older non vacuum transfercase like the the 87 k5 ol\' boy mentioned, and get the older model axles. i have a buddy that has a z71 that recently put a solid axle on it and he got one from a dodge which is on the driver side with automatic lockin hubs. for the front axle conversion to a IFS regular lift, your gonna end up spendin alont more on the solid, but u did say u work at a metal shop which will help, because there is a lot of metal work that needs to be done. id just do and IFS lift

[drivin2fast]

the only reason I want to put solid axles under it, is mainly the cost of lift kits... I can get twice the lift for about the same price... example being 6\" for IFS is about 1500 6\" for solid axle is 600... id be alittle cheaper in the end with solid axles... but then again, its a far off goal, I wanna get the engine swaped first... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[vincevincevince]

hey , the full size axles are wider so you have to move the spring preches in and come up with some leaf springs and mounts and asteering assembly but it isnt that hard to do, but since your going threw all that work use somthing that will fit under the body like a dana 44 from a jeep , or a toyota front end, those are strong and have removeable 3rd members, but youd have to use a diffrent transfer case, this all really isnt that hard if you have the resources, but just so you can lift it....id just say spend the extra on the ifs if you arnt a off roader

[blacks10SOL]

If you get a dana 44 from a eairly (i hate to say it) bronco 66-76 they are pretty much the perfect width, and well your at it get the 9\" rear it\'s a great fit too.

[IceQueen]

You have many options as you can see on here guage them out carefully personaly the dana jeep axles I found were the best setup they give you the right width and give you a rugged and solid drive train... I might be getting a truck to do a 4x4 axle swap with and with mine I want to go with a full size axle in the rear put offset tires on it and and go with duellies on my truck I think it\'ll look sweet!

[sss10]

Dana 44\'s from a 80\'s or so grand wagoneer. The width is perfect and its a left hand drive front end. The only promblem you might encounter is with the transfercase yoke, or lack of, in newer 4x4s. Also some crossmember and diveshaft mods will be nessesary. You might also want the driveshaft fom the jeep, its much stronger. Just got my brothers 95 2 door blazer about 12 inches up on those same axles. 33x14 boggers on 12 inches of wheel. coming soon: TPI 350 and turbo 400 maybe with ford 205 transfercase=will not break!