I know I said I was going to sell this project but we changed our mind...We got the S10 frame swap done and are now in the process of new rear end selection.....If I remember right the stock AD truck rear end was around 57 inches backing plate to backing plate...I got a rear end out of a chevy van and it measures 60 inches backing plate to backing plate....You experienced guys think this will work or should I keep looking? I can mess with backspacing if needed to make work as well, Next, the stock S10 rotors are like 10 inch and have a 4 3/4 bolt pattern.....most 15 inch wheels are 5 inch bolt pattern..how have you guys gotten round this one? Thanks in advance
60" will work fine with the right backspacing. Every aftermarket rim I've ever seen is available in a 4 3/4" pattern. That is the standard Chevy pattern. The 5" pattern was used on full size trucks, and possibly some heavier cars. Unless its too weak for your application, try getting a 4x4 S10 rearend. they are around 57" if I remember correctly. If it is from a 4.3 S10, then it should be the larger 8.5" not the 7.5" ring gear, but double check before buying.
I agree with Snarl, The S-10 4x4 rear is the one. Also, If you really want to use the 5" bolt circle wheels, just have the rotors redrilled to that pattern. Any machine shop could handle the job. Stay away from adapters because of steering clearance issues.
...I've built a couple dozen of these trucks, I use a rear-end that measures 61-62 inches from wheel mounting face to wheel mounting face (in other words the outside of the drums) and use an 8 inch wheel with a 3&3/4 backspace , like a Corvette Rally or other. This gives a nice fit between the tires and fender and the bed. 2nd generation Camaro/Firebird rears and full size GM's from the 70's to mid -late 80's work well; but they were coil-spring equip'd so there's more brackets to cut off; but they are also cheap to buy.
The s10 2wd rear measures 60 " @ the wheel mounting face..should bolt right in( if its not still there) and work just fine.. Rusty1 says it above,8" 3 and3 3/4 backspace will clear great and look good. Dave
The bed sides a re roughly 52 appart, thats what im worried about clearin, The stock 2wd S10 measured 54 not 60, with wheels on it was too narrow. You guys gave me some ideas to shoot for, I really dont want to use wheel spacers...somethin about that makes me feel weird.....Thanks for the help
You could tub it, if you wanted to. 55-64 car rearends fit good also. I have a '57 in my '53 truck. I run 15x8 rims and as I recall I ordered them with a 4 1/2" backspacing, but I could be off a 1/4" on that, It's been awhile. Try to give yourself about an 1" of daylight to the inside of the tire, or you may get some rubbing on harder turns.
measuring rear end from backing plate to backing plate tells you how far apart the backing plates are. the correct measurement is what rusty 1 and dave lewis say. 61-62" rears work just fine unless you have some weird wheels.
The S10 4x4 gives our 3 1/2" backspaced rims enough space to rub the tires on the bed! Camaro is 61" and the ZR2 S10 is wider. I'm just getting 1 1/2" spacers for now. $60 on Ebay but you get what you pay for...
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