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View Full Version : Looking for 93 Axle Info/Swap/Interchange


rabsol1
02-13-2007, 01:50 PM
Hi Folks!



Been about a year since I last posted...time flies, let me tell ya. Work, work, more work, a hospital stay and lots of life\'s hurdles later, I am going back into my S-10 (finally). Has been sitting in the garage for over a year now...time to do something!



Ok, truck is a 93 Ext Cab, was 4.3 tbi...is now 5.7 tbi...still 4L60E, actually all electronics are unchanged (except where v8 stuff was needed instead of v6).



Now, body/chassis had 195,000 miles on it, and I have went through everything from the front end back to the rear axle. Therein lies the rub, the axle now needs attention. The factory axle is a GU4 - 3.08 open diff. But, considering miles and the new drivetrain in front of it, it\'s condition is failing rapidly. My desire here, is to either rebuild or even swap in another axle, but as a GU6 - 3.42, with some form of factory-type posi/LSD diff. Clutch-type diff is fine...not just looking for anything brute strength, but along the lines of Z-28 or Trans Am type.



Now, I read many suggestions of the Ford Explorer 8.8 rear swap, BUT, I\'d really like to keep the truck as factory as possible. Even though it is V8, it is not driven very hard, nor is the engine anything much more than stock.



SO, what I am asking of this all-knowing/been-there-done-that group of fine people....



What GM vehicles would have the 3.42 & LSD combo from factory? NOTE: I ask this, but also add that I will be retaining the factory speedometer...so it is essential that the reluctor ring be able to mount to the differential I get (I have means to re-burn my EPROM for the gearing difference on the speedo).



Were there any S-10s with the 3.42 in them factory...more specifically, for the 93 models?



An obvious question, I know...but so much reading on this has confused me, especially since I\'ve not been into the diff yet: What is the size of the ring gear...and what is the axle spline count?



And if there are 3.42 LSD-equipped vehicles, what year/model are they?



And, finally...if anyone close has parts I need for this (and hopefully reasonably close in proximenty), what do you have to sell...and for how much?



It looks worth it to me so far that if I had to buy something like an axle assy from a Z-28 or similar F-body...it would be worth it. Please, enlighten me with any advice/details you may have. I\'ve invested about 3 years & well over $6-7,000 into this truck...and nothing has been \"half-done\" yet, nor do I wish to start now. So, any \"band-aid\" procedeures are mostly out of the question.



Again, the axle under mine now isn\'t at a point of \"exploding\" (LOL), but it does have a bit of noise, and leaks from the front pinion seal pretty rapidly.



Please...feel free to deposit your 2 cents as desired...every bit helps! Thanks to all in advance...Have a Wonderful Day! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif



<font size=1>[ This message was edited by: rabsol1 on 2007-02-13 18:53 ]</font>

Jimmybeam
02-13-2007, 06:03 PM
If you\'re just looking to do a ratio swap, here\'s your best bet. Get out to a junkyard and look for an 89 or newer S10 or S10 Blazer for your rear. You should be able to find a GU6 in either one of them, but it\'s probably a bit more common in the Blazers. Your 93 has 28 spline axles and a 7.625\" ring gear, which was the setup on all S10s and Blazers between 89 and 95 (I THINK 95, but past 93 for sure). Some of the 88\'s had that setup, but some of them had the 26 Spline 7.5\" too. Anyways, aside from looking up the year code on the Vin, easy way to spot these trucks at a yard is to look for one with a 1 piece grille as opposed to the old style 3 piece. They started using the 1 piece in 91 I believe so if you see that, you know what you\'re getting for sure. The BEST place to look for the setup you want would probably be an Oldsmobile Bravada from those years. The reason I say that is because a very high percentage of them (at least everyone I\'ve come across) came with a G80 factory locker. They did come with the GU6 in those, but I think it was probably more common to see the GT4, 3.73 ratio. Anyways, from my experience grabbing rears for friends and what not when making my own trip to the yard, that\'s what I\'ve observed. If you\'ve never had any real problems with your setup (aside from the age and the wear over the years of course) that\'s the route I\'d probably go. Of course if you want to avoid the Explorer 8.8 and have the money and time to put into an upgrade, you can always look for a 95+ 8.5\" axle off of an S10 or a Blazer. They\'re rare, but they came with the GU6 Posi. Best bet finding one of those is through www.car-part.com, but you\'d be paying alot. Anyways, I hope this helps.

-Mankos

speeder
02-14-2007, 03:20 AM
Also most 4X4s have 3.73s, and a posi, but the 4X4 has 2\" wider axle, which means that your wheels would stick out. The 8.5 came in 4.3 4X4 or ZR-2s with a stick. Again wider axles... Just some more info for the junkyard dive.

Skeeter74
02-14-2007, 05:03 AM
My personal opinion, you havent half assed anything on your truck so far dont start now. They make plenty of good parts for your rear. I would rebuild the one in your truck. That way you know what you have. It may cost more but you would have a piece of mind

Ryoung68
02-14-2007, 02:07 PM
A bit over priced but

<hr><img src="images/forum/ebaylink.gif"> I saw this on eBay motors: Item on eBay motors (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-Chevy-Blazer-V6-hd-rearend-POSI-3-42-disc-8-5-s10_W0QQitemZ130079221670QQihZ003QQcategoryZ33731Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)<hr>



I got mine from a 1995 S10 before the market got so outrageous, but it bolted right in with no problems. Good Luck!

rabsol1
02-15-2007, 01:47 PM
Great info thus far..thanks to all who have replied! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif



So, after some research...it looks like the Zexel-Torsen is most appealing to me, considering my use of the truck. I know lots of you are making some serious torque/hp from your swaps, but mine will be mostly just normal driving and little towing, if any.



Let\'s say I have found a diff from an 00-02 Z28 (28-spline), with the 3.42 ring on it (pinion incl. of course) and pretty much everything outside of an install kit with it...lo miles. What should I look for to be sure it would work...IF it will work, and what is reasonable to pay for it?



After reading thru the Rear-End forum, I realize that a lot of what I have asked is kinda redundant...but again, I really don\'t know the axle area of GM vehicles very well. I\'m a 16+ year ASE auto tech (work for myself now), worked mostly for Ford, some GM, some Nissan....even got certified in everything EXCEPT Manual trans/axles and Auto trans. So, hence my need to ask....of those whom know. Thanks again in advance for your time and effort....and hoping to hear more soon!!! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif



Sincerely,



Brian (rabsol1)

rabsol1
02-16-2007, 02:54 PM
Anyone??? http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_frown.gif

rabsol1
02-17-2007, 02:53 PM
Hope to hear from you soon. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif