Thread: S10 rear end questions

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how large is the axle tubes on a S10 rear end, and what is the correct way to remove the brackets from it so it can be used in a hotrod?.. looking to get 1 for my ratrod

Axle tubes are similar to the Mustang 8.8, not sure of exact size. I have an s10 rear in my 34 Ford 3window, used aceteline torch to remove the brackets. Put coilover and trailing arm brackets on mine, been fine since 2003. The s10 rear is pretty strong, I have a 383 Chevy stroker in my coupe with a 5 speed and haven't hurt it yet. You should get pretty good service out of it. Biff

I cut the brackets off with the torch, Matt....Just keep the heat away from the housing tubes as much as possible... You can cut them off with a cut off disc too, takes a bit longer but less chance of warping the housing. A bit of time with the grinder will remove whatever the cutter doesn't get.

For the street with street tires and reasonable horsepower, the S-10 rear should be plenty stout.

Another thing to consider is what type suspension you want to use---find a rear with that type--ie--leaf spring, tri angle 4 link , coil over (mustang 8.8) late Camaro/fire bird for lower tor arm and rear coils---and what brakes might be available or with the rear(drum/disc)

It's a T bucket style chassis, just longer. I don't know of anything that would fit without modification. pretty sure I'm just going to have to cut off the factory brackets.. think I'll use a cut off wheel. I have a torch but if the heat can do damage, I'd just rather take the time and cut it off with the cut off wheel.

I don't know what rear suspension I'm going to want yet. the rear 2' of the frame is kicked up 9", and I know If I use a 15 1/2" model A spring/ radius rods, the rear end will be mounted 6 1/2" below the frame. little more because of the mounts.. that should work ok if I don't go with too tall of a tire. but being the rear end would be mounted at the very rear, my measurements come up that I would have about a 140" wheelbase. which might look really funny... what I'm thinking about doing now is using a 4 bar setup, but have the bars inside the frame, and use coil overs... as for horsepower, It's probably only going to get 150-260 HP. basic stock 302 Ford or Chevy 350, even a 305 if that's what I find cheap.. not going to be a race car just a nice driver

I just put a s10 2 wheel drive rear in my 27 dodge and was a bit to narrow for me so I went to the salvage yard and got a 4x4 s10 rear and I fits more to my liking. The 4x4 s10 rear end is wider than a 2wd by 3 or 4 inches

4" wider, but there are also other special rear ends that are wider than that. like the S10/ Blazer Extreme, and the ZR2's.. IIRC both of those are just a bit wider than the regular 60" 4x4 axle, but are also 8.5 rear ends instead of 7.5 and usually have a G80 gov-lock. finding 1 of those tho, you'll pay for it because the S10 guys want them

Hi Matt,
I have the 20 new 8.8" 3.73 Trac Loc rearends in stock. I will be narrowing these to standard FOX (59.5") width or 54.5" (pindrive) width for $950.00. I can also narrow these to any custom width and supply axles & brakes along with coil over shocks & control arms. A new 3.73 housing with 5 lug (4.5" Ford) axles for $1150.00.