Thread: Project LQ4 - V8 S10 - Sold.

I hear what you're saying. Remember though, this rear has junk gears in it. If I knew I only had one shot, I'd really dial it in. However, this setup will only be temporary. I'm going to get it close and toss it in. Run it for a while and see what issues arise. Different gear ratio, different pinion angle...(?) I can correct any mistakes or issues when I do the next one. That one will be perfect. I'm just trying to make lemonade from the lemon 8.8 I bought.

4 link? Probably not. This thing is going to be a DD burnout machine with occasional track time. Not a hardcore race truck. I do see a set of Caltracs in its future though.

Well there was no way I could shim the trans. There's less that 1/4" between the housing and the tunnel. That 80e is a beast. I guess I'm back to being okay with 4°.

I did get the perches cut off the tubes. I'll get them all cleaned up tomorrow and maybe tacked back on in a day or two. While the welder is out, I'm going to have to back fill the gouges I made cutting them off. Them Ford welds went DEEP.

Looks like I'll be trying to do some axle drilling tonight. I think I'll practice on the old obsolete driver side axle before I jump right into the short axles. I'm not 100% sure about the large drill for the studs and what kind of press fit I'll get on the knurling. It's a 12mm stud with a 0.495" shank and the knurling measures about 0.507" (best I can tell). I'm starting with a 1/2" drill. Next step down would be 12.5mm (0.4921"). That seemed really tight, but I guess I'll know shortly.

I've heard that doing squats is a great way to get ones rear end in shape ? And, yes, practicing on material other than your target goal, is a very wise move.

Well, First hole drilled.



The stud is a press fit. Err, more of a small hammer tap fit.



Not quite as tight as I'd like.



I have a 12.5mm drill on order... Dang me for not just ordering one right away with all the other stuff. Not a total loss though. While I wait for the other drill, I can use the 1/2" to drill the new pattern in the rotors. I think a 1/2" (0.500") hole should be good for a 12mm (0.472") stud.

After my one test hole was drilled, I still had time to goob some weld onto the axle tubes and grind it flat.



Like it never happened.

Did some running today after work. Hit the hardware store to get a 31/64" drill for the lug stud holes. Drilled a test hole and hammered the stud in. I'm very pleased with the fit. Going to proceed with the good axles. No more practice runs.



Also hit Orielly's to get another serp belt. After just a couple minutes of running, the old one put the tensioner way out of spec. New one is perfect!



Here's what I ended up with



And the first piece of my pressure bleeder came today



Just waiting on the garden sprayer and pressure gauge. Then I should be able to quickly bleed the brakes by myself after swapping rears.

Going for broke on the axles. Since these are the alpha version, I decided to use the hub centric rings. Just trying to make sure everything was as close as possible.



Should be hammering the studs in tomorrow. Probably hit them with the wire wheel while they're bare.

Got the perches welded on. Here's the setup



I'm actually not completely embarrassed by these welds. I may attempt to shorten the next housing myself...



Next step is remembering/reassembling all the 8.8 brake stuff. There will be Googleing involved

Looking good man!

Thanks! Getting close.

Rear end is assembled as far as I can go. The rotors are drilled. That cast steel is way easier to drill than whatever the axle flanges are made of. Unfortunately, 1/2" is just a little too tight. Going to track down a 17/32" and open them up just a bit. Also need to order different SHCS's for the Moser cover. I measured the original bolts at 0.307" and rounded up. Shame on me for assuming 8mm (0.315"). They are in fact 5/16" (0.313"). Thanks for the imperial/metric mix and match Ford.

SAE and metric together on one ride is a peeve, ain't it?

It gets old quick. The motor is pretty consistently metric. The trans is mostly metric with the exception of like one valve body bolt, but the truck and apparently the rear end are just a mish mash of both. That must have been pretty common around the mid 90's to early 2000's. The transition from imperial to metric... Running out old designs/parts with new revisions.

My '85 Bronco was a mish-mash of metric and imperial. F-ing annoying.

If I remember right, my '85 K10 Blazer was pretty exclusively imperial. Of course, I didn't do a ton of my own wrenching back in the day...

Pressure bleeder is "built". Still need to grab a $6 reservoir seal.



Probably time to start thinking about the exhaust. I'm sure I'll find a way to repurpose the old cats. Emphasis on repurpose. Not reuse.

Got the back end of the truck off the ground. Wheels off, muffler/tailpipe out, and E-brake cable disconnected.



Test fit a wheel



I wonder how long these will last...

you see the light,,,yeah that one at the end of the tunnel.

get some spin tech mufflers, they sound badass

The "to do" list is definitely getting shorter Scotty. Essentially. we're down to 1.) Rear end, 2.) Drive shaft, 3.) Exhaust, 4.) Inspection, 5.) Paperwork (emissions/registration/insurance)

I have a set of Summit brand 2-1/2" dual chambered mufflers sitting on a shelf. I originally bought them for the '84, but I think they will end up on the S10. I really like the way they sound. Supposed to be a Flowmaster 40 series knock off.

Originally Posted by BrandonHall10

I wonder how long these will last...

Good Ole Abe is just begging for a haircut.... You must oblige....

^^^ Haha!

Got (what I think is) the right brake line adapter.



And my 17/32" drill came today to open up the lug holes, so I was able to get the rotors on the hubs. That allowed me to mount the calipers and run the brake lines. Rear end is basically done. Just waiting on shorter SHCS's for the cover. The 1-1/4" ones were just a little too long. I'm Also thinking I'll need to hack off the lower portion of the sway bar mount to clear the S10 shock. On the left side at least.