Chevy S10 with a V8 - would you buy ?

[rfuerst911sc]

I went to a small mom/pop muffler shop this morning to get an estimate for tailpipes . Because the truck is lowered its a little trickier and he suggested it might be best to run both out the passenger side behind the tire . He's booked through tomorrow so I will call him Wednesday morning . He said 250 - 300 . Seems reasonable .

[JackDidley]

That will look good. I wish I could run my pipes out the back. Fat tires and a fuel cell dont leave room for that. Mine come almost out from under the bed right in front of the back tires. You cant see them without getting down to look.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

While you have it on the lift, look for 3 plastic plugs in the inner rocker. Pop them out and spray a coating of cavity wax. It will save your truck from a rust problem. If you dont it will start to rust there. Once it starts it travels fast.

Forgot to mention last week I had her on the lift and popped the six plugs out . Inspecting the interior of the rockers with a flashlight they looked brand new inside . That reinforces the truck lived in Arizona . I sprayed Fluid Film inside and distributed the best I could with the nozzle straw . Saw FF starting to come out the bottom drains so should be good to go . Popped the plastic plugs back in it all looks stock again . Thanks for the tip .

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Forgot to mention last week I had her on the lift and popped the six plugs out . Inspecting the interior of the rockers with a flashlight they looked brand new inside . That reinforces the truck lived in Arizona . I sprayed Fluid Film inside and distributed the best I could with the nozzle straw . Saw FF starting to come out the bottom drains so should be good to go . Popped the plastic plugs back in it all looks stock again . Thanks for the tip .

Ga. weather is not as bad as Chicago but rust can creep in, especially in 98 and newer S10.s. That fluid film will pay for itself and you wont even know it. A couple years ago I saw a small paint bubble in my rocker. 3 or 4 weeks later it was 3 or 4 paint bubbles and when I picked at them it was rust holes starting. Very small. maybe 1/8" by 1/4". I sanded, filled and painted the rocker. Thats when I discovered the plugs on the back side. Sprayed carb cleaner , POR 15 and then Fluid Film. Did the other rocker as well. No more paint bubbles at all.

[rfuerst911sc]

OK what's the deal with posi units ? Brand new prices from 170.00 to 500.00 or more . Aftermarket vs OEM ? New vs used ? Do they all basically work the same ? Are they all rebuildable if needed ? My knowledge base is zero so can only go up .

I can hear a slight noise/whine in the current rear axle . It could be the gear set or could be a wheel bearing . It is not constant it seems to be around 40-45 mph . On throttle and off . My point being if I move forward with a posi I will also do axle bearings to be safe .

How DIY friendly is setting up the diff ? Axle bearings do you need a press ? I know there is shimming involved and some kind of grease/goop to see gear tooth engagement . Any advice appreciated .

[JackDidley]

There are 2 types of posi units. Clutch and locker. Factory is a locker. The clutch type can be rebuilt. Never had a locker apart. Clutch type can be rebuilt. You probably will not drive it enough that it will fail. Normal use they will go 200k miles or maybe more. Setting up the gears is sort of a pain. Watch a Youtube video. Wheel bearing is pressed. Id just get a used axle at the U pullit. Search FB marketplace, you may find a complete rear end for a reasonable price.

[herr_oberst]

The guy Colt doing the work in this video seems to know his stuff; (makes it look easy so you know he's done a few) Robby and his crew are mostly clowns, but fortunately they don't get in his way much.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

There are 2 types of posi units. Clutch and locker. Factory is a locker. The clutch type can be rebuilt. Never had a locker apart. Clutch type can be rebuilt. You probably will not drive it enough that it will fail. Normal use they will go 200k miles or maybe more. Setting up the gears is sort of a pain. Watch a Youtube video. Wheel bearing is pressed. Id just get a used axle at the U pullit. Search FB marketplace, you may find a complete rear end for a reasonable price.

Yeah I am chatting with a guy on FB Marketplace that thinks he has an S10 rear axle with disc brakes . But he wasn't sure if it was open or locker . But he said he does have a locker to fit . I am waiting on confirmation and price . Appreciate the info on types of lockers . Thanks

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The guy Colt doing the work in this video seems to know his stuff; (makes it look easy so you know he's done a few) Robby and his crew are mostly clowns, but fortunately they don't get in his way much.

He makes it look easy but it isn't without the proper tools . Thanks for the video .

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Yeah I am chatting with a guy on FB Marketplace that thinks he has an S10 rear axle with disc brakes . But he wasn't sure if it was open or locker . But he said he does have a locker to fit . I am waiting on confirmation and price . Appreciate the info on types of lockers . Thanks

If it has disc brakes, it may be from a Blazer. Measure how wide it is. Blazer has an odd offset wheel and a different width axle.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

If it has disc brakes ,it may be from a Blazer. Measure haw wide it is. Blazer has an odd offset wheel and a different width axle.

My limited research says 2wd Blazer is direct bolt in with same dimensions of 2wd S10 . However 4wd Blazer is wider . I will definitely check measurements and ask the guy what it came out of . My info is from various S10 forums so that info may be right or may be wrong .

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My limited research says 2wd Blazer is direct bolt in with same dimensions of 2wd S10 . However 4wd Blazer is wider . I will definitely check measurements and ask the guy what it came out of . My info is from various S10 forums so that info may be right or may be wrong .

Correct. I should have been more specific. It just seems there are not many trucks with disc brakes and lots of Blazer 4wd with them.

[ted]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Yeah I am chatting with a guy on FB Marketplace that thinks he has an S10 rear axle with disc brakes . But he wasn't sure if it was open or locker . But he said he does have a locker to fit . I am waiting on confirmation and price . Appreciate the info on types of lockers . Thanks

If you were going to keep it and nail it often a wavetech diff.
So you can get on the gas sooner.
Pass on a locker or open diff.

[rfuerst911sc]

Well the guy with the axles failed to mention I have to pull them . Dragging my tools and jack 2 hours away is not going to happen . So I will continue to search . In the mean time I found another seller with a used G80 locker for $180.00 plus shipping . Found another seller with used 3.42 ring/pinion for the 7.5 for $40.00 plus shipping .

Pics of both items plus their descriptions say they are in good shape . I may just start getting the parts and have a shop install them .

Calling the muffler shop tomorrow to see if he can get me in . Haven't touched the truck cap in a few days it is too hot out !

[JackDidley]

Price on the 3.42s is great. Probably perfect ratio for the s10. I recently sold a set for $80. $180 is not bad for the locker. They can be had for less but it may take a while to find a better deal. HOT here too. Ive been in the garage but not more than an hour here and there.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

Price on the 3.42s is great. Probably perfect ratio for the s10. I recently sold a set for $80. $180 is not bad for the locker. They can be had for less but it may take a while to find a better deal. HOT here too. Ive been in the garage but not more than an hour here and there.

Both sellers got back to me last night . The locker is 195.00 to my door . The R&P is 65.00 to my door . I am weighing new locker for less than 200.00 vs used for 195.00 . Used is OEM vs new aftermarket with unknown quality . I am leaning used . I have to keep reminding myself this is NOT a drag race build and I really don't NEED any of this I do know the 3.42 gear would be better for me as a daily driver .

I did check the speedometer accuracy with the current 4.10 and 18 " tires . GPS says accurate within 1 mph so pretty much spot on . I expect a 3.42 will be off a little more .

[JackDidley]

I did not know you could get a new locker for $200. Sounds like a deal. Probably Chinese. My speedo says 60 when I am doing 55. I know how to fix it but just dont care.
In other news, I drove to the post office this AM and my AC compressor sounds pretty bad. Always something.

[rfuerst911sc]

Dropped off the S10 at the muffler shop this morning hopefully he will achieve greatness . I just did a Paypal payment for the 3.42 ring and pinion . Came out of a 99 Camaro he went to 3.73 . And here is an example of a cheap locker . Yep it's Chinese and it may be great or it could be crap . I am leaning towards the used G80 but still thinking it over .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275756435727?mkevt=1&mkpid=2&emsid=e90001.m162181.l175007&plmtId=700008&mesgId=3024&mkcid=8&ch=osgood&bu=43208014395&trkId=fb331656-3c12-3083-981a-fde82acf7c5f&cnvId=700003&recoId=275756435727&recoPos=1

[JackDidley]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^That looks like a clutch type posi, not a true locker. Still a great price. I am not saying that one is better than the other. I have had both but in different cars. I do like the G80 in my truck.

[rfuerst911sc]

Just picked it up from the muffler shop . He was able to get both pipes over the axle and stacked cleanly next to the spare tire . He did good . I am quite surprised how much quieter it is vs the turn downs . I am past noisy exhaust so very happy . Still growls nicely when you punch it . Another item checked off the list .