LUVTruck.com

New member here, apologies in advance for any dumb questions. Alright so I'm sure this has been asked before but I haven't found the thread yet. I'm in the middle of doing an SBC conversion on my 74 LUV. I'm trying to figure out my options as far as rear axle swaps go. I've heard of doing the S10 axle swaps and going full bore with the 9" swaps. Are there any other options out there that people have tried? Just wanting something a little beefier that the S10 rears. Thanks

narrowed ford 9" is about as beefy as your going to ever need, you can also get a narrowed explorer/4.0l ranger 8.8" rear end. the s10 rear as a much easier conversion it more or less goes right in place of the stock one, will most lkely need a new year driveline flange but I haven't looked into it yet.
what are you planning for the sbc swap? stock or fairly built?

_________________
Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

I'm not going too extreme, just a 350 with a nice chunky cam, mated to either a TH350 or a 4 speed manual (haven't dropped the hammer on either tranny yet). Aiming for around or a little over 300hp, just dont want to over power the s10 gearset.

you sure you wouldn't want a 700r4 or a 5 speed? overdrive is so worth it
you shouldn't hurt the s10 gears unless you are going really nuts with the full throttle launches and even then they are stronger than you would think.
a explorer 8.8 can be had with 3.73 gears, lsd and disc brakes really easily at the junk yard, and the first 3" or narrowing comes pretty easy, beyond that takes some more time and money like with anything you want to narrow.

do some research on the different rears used in the s10 there were a few variations

_________________
Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

Yeah I have thought about it a bit, especially since 700r4s are aplenty in my area and usually cheaper than a th350. Will a camaro driveshaft still work on that setup? Is it much more involved beyound the different trans mount?

You can use a camaro drive shaft with the dime rear, but but will have to be shortened. You can buy a trans mount for the 700r, or a t350, but they will be different. And it depends on the swap kit you are using as well, because the power by ace mounts don't work with hooker headers, etc...

_________________
If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

Good to know that the s10 rears will hold up for what I am doing with it. Yeah I am planning on using the Ace kit to convert since theyre readily available. One less wheel to re-invent in this restoration
. Has there been any known issues with them other than the header fitment?