kgkern01

iTrader: (10)

What about a GNX style torque arm setup? They used a 8.5 10-bolt and the torque arm was bolted to the diff cover.

TROYCO

iTrader: (1)

Just a thought, some Trailblazers have aluminum 8.5 centre sections. Might be easier welding torque arm mounts to...and lighter to boot.

cantfind2nd

iTrader: (24)

There was a guy on here that used a trailblazer rear looked really nice. Think he was a machinist , had really nice brackets that were all fabricated.

shepss217

iTrader: (5)

good luck bud, i would look for a good used 9" or 12 bolt, i've seen them for as low as 1,200

siguy

bring up from the dead
in the process of building a 2nd gen fbody 8.5 ten bolt
with 4gen axle tubes

my question is there a factory gm 8.5 that came with provision for a 3 channel abs ( toner ring ) I can in the 8.5 rear housing so that I can keep my abs set up thx

1961ba427

iTrader: (26)

Not that I was able to find, but I have seen a solution where a smaller (1/4 inch pitch teeth.... roughly 32 teeth if I remember correctly) gear was machined to work with the original 3 channel sensor. I have seen this set up 2 different ways. One mounted the gear directly on the pinion yoke between the housing and u-joint. The sensor was mounted on a fabbed bracket bolted to the center section.

The other mounted the gear onto the driveshaft slip yoke all the way back by the front u-joint so that it didn't bottom out against the transmission tailshaft. It also had a fabbed mount to hold the original 3 channel sensor. The stock sensor harness was extended back up towards the front of the car. If I were to go this way, I'd look into making a jumper harness maybe so it would be plug and play.

While it sounds more complicated, I think the trans yoke version would be the easier way to go.

kgkern01

iTrader: (10)

What about the ZR2 S10's? They have a 8.5" rear and I think is also similar length to a 4th gen rear.

siguy

nice info would you happen to know who did this and any place I can find pics of this mod ? Thx

siguy

Thx thought of that but, I have all parts for free (8.5 rear and a extra 7.5 rear) so my only expense would be retro fitting torque arm which will be bolt on type (like the aftermarket units used for mustangs which is very easy to make ...
Also try finding a zr2 rear for a good price lol

Going to start project in a few weeks and will update with a full article and pics just trying to work out abs issues before I start