driveshaft Question: installing 8.5" rear...

[crew cab sonoma]

i bought an 8.5" ZR2 Blazer rear axle some time back, and i am wanting to install it soon. i know its almost 4" wider, thats fine. should fill out the wheel wells nicely, without the need for spacers.

from taking some rough measurments, it seems the 8.5 is about a half inch, or maybe a bit more, longer from the pinion yoke U-joint center to the axle shaft centerline, than the 7.625.

my question is, can the stock driveshaft accomodate this, without binding in the tranny, or will it have to be shortened?
does anybody know if the driveshaft has a different part# between the 7.625" and the 8.5" equipped trucks, given the same tranny?

has anybody here done this swap?

[Jim]

i bought an 8.5" ZR2 Blazer rear axle some time back, and i am wanting to install it soon. i know its almost 4" wider, thats fine. should fill out the wheel wells nicely, without the need for spacers.

from taking some rough measurments, it seems the 8.5 is about a half inch, or maybe a bit more, longer from the pinion yoke U-joint center to the axle shaft centerline, than the 7.625.

my question is, can the stock driveshaft accomodate this, without binding in the tranny, or will it have to be shortened?
does anybody know if the driveshaft has a different part# between the 7.625" and the 8.5" equipped trucks, given the same tranny?

has anybody here done this swap?

I'd try this before shortening the shaft
https://shell7.tdl.com/~jags/Pages/Parts_S10-301.html

[2kwik4u]

I wouldn't move the axle back.....That leads to a mess of getting the rear wheel centered in the opening....

The 2wd guys that have moved to an 8.5 (for power reasons), have typically shortened the shaft ~1" or so.

Best bet is to throw it in there, and measure.

[crew cab sonoma]

i had fogotten about those JTR relocators. it says the stock axle is a little forward of center... i`ll measure mine to see...