New, converting to 4WD

[StevenS10]

Hi all, I'm Steven, I'm 18, I just got a 2WD '87 S-10 already fitted with an Explorer axle and partly converted to an '01 4.8L LSx V8. Been researching front axles, now I gotta start visiting Pick-N-Pull and the other yards, plus I need a transfer case.
I'm not specifying exactly which parts I'm trying for, until I get them. I hate when someone else buys up what I want so they can try to charge me $500 more than I would have paid had I not specified. No more of that.
But I hope to meet a lot of great new friends on the trails next summer, especially those rated a 6 or easier. I got the guide book to every trail in Utah, with ratings.
I will say I'm starting on a set of 245/75R16s.

 

[StevenS10]

 

[mbryson]

That'll be an interesting truck. Welcome

 

[Greg]

Welcome to RME!

What's the bolt pattern and axle width on the Explorer axle, 5 x 4.5? That will determine what front axle will suit your needs

 

[sixstringsteve]

welcome!

 

[blznnp]

welcome, good to see another s10 guy. love the first gens. you can get a lot of help with the s10s on s10forum.com, just go into the SAS section of the suspension area. we had a few down in in 2014, here are some of us..


shot of one of the guys 1st gens, duramax with full air ride, doubler, one tons.....


here is one of my buddies 1st gen that he made into a crew cab...

 

[StevenS10]

Thanks everyone!
The Explorer shafts got re-drilled to the GM 5 x 4.75" lug pattern, but the front axle will be a Dana 60, which will get narrowed, and I already have a GM 10.5" 14-bolt FF axle for the rear. It'll get narrowed also. My '01 4.8L LSx has the '02 LS1 cam swapped in, and ported heads, but '97 Z28 exhaust manifolds. I'm backing it with an NV3500 with the 3.49 / 2.16 / 1.40 / 1.00 / 0.73 ratios, backed by an SM465, backed by a NP205. This will give me all the gearing I need, with 3.73:1 axles, and roughly 2000 RPM at 65 MPH. I want 265/75R16s ASAP, maybe try 285s after that. Not only for the clearance, but also to get the cruise RPM closer to 1900.
Gathering the parts is easy compared to putting them all together in one truck, especially since I medically can't work in temps below 40* F, and have no heated garage, and work crazy hours. I sure hope this proves worth it.
I love how that red S-Blazer in the last pic isn't all jacked up tall to fit the big tires. I dislike how the older S-10s look with body lifts. The black extended cab looks good, but I don't like the tires being out past the fenders. That's illegal too, for on-road use. Several of those trucks are in violation of headlight height laws, bumper height laws, and possibly frame height laws. Mine will need to be daily-driveable, not trails-only.
That crew-cab is clever, not sure why it was done that way instead of reworking S-Blazer parts. The rear doors give it away, but most will never notice. Very clean.