Astro-Newbie asks: 8.5" swap questions...

[Herbie]

OK, so I've been doing a lot of lurking and a lot of reading, but now I've reached a point where lots of people tend to talk about things they already understand and I'm just trying to figure out. Partly this is had because I don't actually OWN an Astro/Safari YET. I'm doing my research first, but I can't just go out and crawl under my fan to visualize this stuff.

Can someone confirm for me the problems associated with trying to swap in a 10-bolt 8.5" rear end?

I'm gathering that there may be some interference with the fuel tank, but that an S-10 tank can be substituted to clear?

Was there a matching axle that had the correct spline count and lug pattern? I know most folks have 5x5 but I'd need the 6-lug pattern if I got a 2003+ van, right?

Anything else I need to worry about?

I really want to be able to put an air locker into the rear end, and it seems the simplest way to get there is either to do the 8.5" swap, or do a Ford 9" swap...

Comments?

Thanks!!!

[Smiliesafari]

The biggest problem is finding a rearend wide enough. The stock width is 66". I just did a 12 bolt swap. It's a bit more work than you would first think. Do a search. I posted pics. Welcome to the site. There's lots of really good people here.

[mdmead]

How deep are your pockets? I think the best solution is to go with a custom built axle. You can get whatever type you want and it will bolt right in. No headaches regarding modifying width, offset, wheel bolt pattern, disc conversion, etc., etc.

[Herbie]

The biggest problem is finding a rearend wide enough. The stock width is 66". I just did a 12 bolt swap. It's a bit more work than you would first think. Do a search. I posted pics. Welcome to the site. There's lots of really good people here.

Hrm... If my research is correct, a 2wd S10 axle is ~55" wide and a 4x4 S10 axle is 60" wide.... Since the Astro's max rear-wheel width is limited by clearance to the sliding door anyway, maybe using a 4x4 S10 axle with some mini-tubs would kill two birds? With the right offsets and a little tub work, it seems like 3" per side wouldn't be too hard to "soak up" and then I could use a stock S10 axle AND put some wider meats under there...

Ideally, I'd like to be able to scavenge all the parts I'd need from a single donor. 4x4 S10s are twelve for $0.10 here in SoCal, so if I could make this work, I'd be a happy man.

How deep are your pockets? I think the best solution is to go with a custom built axle. You can get whatever type you want and it will bolt right in. No headaches regarding modifying width, offset, wheel bolt pattern, disc conversion, etc., etc.

Sadly, pockets are pretty shallow. I do most of my own wrenching, and some types of fab I can get done really cheap as I have talented friends who owe me favors, but sadly things like custom axles would be 100% out of pocket...

[tbhager94]

the astro rearend is off set to the passenger side so you need a similar diff.

[mdmead]

Sadly, pockets are pretty shallow. I do most of my own wrenching, and some types of fab I can get done really cheap as I have talented friends who owe me favors, but sadly things like custom axles would be 100% out of pocket...

Someone at one time was swapping... or looking at swapping... a rearend out of a Ford fullsize van. All the info that was provided seemed like it was going to be a pretty straightforward swap. The width was close, the offset was close, and it was either a 9" or a 8.8. Maybe take some measurements next time you visit a junkyard.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Someone at one time was swapping... or looking at swapping... a rearend out of a Ford fullsize van. All the info that was provided seemed like it was going to be a pretty straightforward swap. The width was close, the offset was close, and it was either a 9" or a 8.8. Maybe take some measurements next time you visit a junkyard.

That was Alex, Mr Roboto. He actually swapped in a 9" from an E-150 and it was almost bolt-in! I remember something about using the correct length pinion yoke and then getting a conversion u-joint. He then got some brake lines and a set of 5 x 5.5" wheels. He drove from IL to PA for a NECO too!.