S-10 axle swap??

THIS FORUM IS FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON THE 7.25" IFS FRONT DIFF, CV HALF SHAFTS AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT.
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Topic author
racrx7
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S-10 axle swap??

Post by racrx7 »

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I’m wanting to swap out my front axle carrier for a 3.73 S-10 unit. The drive shaft yokes between the two are different, but the u-joints appear to be the same size. Is there any reason to swap out the input yokes? If I remove the round flange from my driveshaft, it looks like u-joint would fit right in the saddles of the S-10 yoke. Has anyone made this swap?
O3 Astro 4X4
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Dropped front IFS axle
Journeys rear spring hangers and shackles, S-10 leaf springs, 2" body lift
255/70-16 BFG KO2's on 16x8 Fuel Revolvers

Captn. Crunch
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Re: S-10 axle swap??

Post by Captn. Crunch »

When I did my swap I backed the pinion nut off and swapped it over to Safari style. Give it a shot, maybe there is more than one way to skin a cat
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s

Topic author
racrx7
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 136
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Charleston SC
Has thanked: 1 time

Re: S-10 axle swap??

Post by racrx7 »

When I did my swap I backed the pinion nut off and swapped it over to Safari style. Give it a shot, maybe there is more than one way to skin a cat
I'm thinking I will give it a go. My only concern with swapping yokes would be the difficulty in accessing the crush sleeve to replace with a new one. The last S10 diff I disassembled, the yoke side pinion bearing had a bit of an interference fit to the pinion shaft. I had the cases already split,(just to salvage the gear set), and had to use a bit of force to remove the pinion bearing's hold on the pinion shaft. Removing said bearing with cases intact could prove to be an issue.

So you had no issues with using the same crush sleeve?
O3 Astro 4X4
Image
Dropped front IFS axle
Journeys rear spring hangers and shackles, S-10 leaf springs, 2" body lift
255/70-16 BFG KO2's on 16x8 Fuel Revolvers

Captn. Crunch
I sleep in my van
Posts: 557
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:10 pm
Location: southeastern ct
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: S-10 axle swap??

Post by Captn. Crunch »

No issues. Counted threads and put it back to where it was making sure it felt the same as far as rotational drag was concerned. Mine was freshly professionally rebuilt as I had a sizable investment between the cast iron diff and the MFactory Torsen and had no interest in going down THAT rabbit hole. I have no idea if there would be any drawbacks to using this method with a high mileage unit. Good luck
Captn. Crunch
"I don't beat my rig-I use it to it's maximum potential"
1994 Safari conversion (sold) and miss'n it!
1999 Safari SLE AWD junked
2003 GMC Safari AWD SLT
cast iron Torsen equipped front diff
S-10 leafs-G80 rear w/3.73’s
2” body lift w/Falken Wildpeak AT’s
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