rear end swap?

[chevytroy]

i have a 1951 chevy 1/2 ton. Ive picked up scott dansforth crossmember to use in the 51 frame. I also just picked up a 1999 gmc envoy 4x4 rear diff w/disc brakes. I installed the 1996 s10 leafs to it and now im alittle puzzled.
I know the pinion angle between 3-5 degrees. but do i re-use the stock mounts for the leaf from the s10? does some one make a kit. At this point Idont know if the stock mounts from the s10 will work cause the two frames have different angles. if anyone has pics or some advice it would help me very much.....

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

What's the width of the Envoy rear?

[chevytroy]

The envoy rear is 59''s from wheel mounting plate to wheel mounting plate. It also has the same leaf spring locations as the s10. same gearing as most s10 3.42s not posi. I had to ad the pics cause I never seen an envoy in the blazer/jimmy body but its a 1999, GM did alot of strange things with the yukon/tahoe and pickup series trucks with both old and new body styles in 99 2000.

[chevytroy]

Has any one used the s10 leafs on there AD truck frame? What setup does everyone use if they swap rears and want a modern leaf?

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

I bought a TCI leaf setup.
The correct distance between backplates is close to 62 inches. I wonder if the 1.5" on each side will miss the bedsides.

[chevytroy]

I pulled out the old tape measure and ill have to do a small mini tube on the bed that is ok and run some wheel spacers but thats ok too. I really like the dodge 20'' spare look. the question is should i just mount the leafs where needed cut my spring perches and reweld as needed? or is there another way?

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

That will work. How strong are those gears? Is the Envoy a V6? What engine will be pulling it.

[chevytroy]

the rear is a 7.5 ring gear 3.42 gearing. envoy was a v6 4.3... I dont know what engine im going with. A 5.3fi was a thought but I kinda want a carb. so a 305 or 307 with a mild cam and a 700r4. really the carb is just less wiring and other junk to clutter up the engine bay.

[Kabwe]

You can carb a 5.3 if thats what you really want.

[chevytroy]

Ive heard of it being done. havent seen it yet would like to know how well it runs.

[Kabwe]

They run great I know a couple of people that have done it. I just wanted you to know that is an option for you, I did not want to hi jack your thread with LS engine stuff. But they run great if you want to go that route.

[chevytroy]

I will most definitely look in to it. im still in the tear down and suspension phase and still need to pick up a welder the one I have is too small. I ve been looking at the hobart 210 handler just waiting for it to go back on sale. the 800.00 could go to so many more parts.

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

You can probably pick up a Miller that will mig,tig,and stick on Ebay for that much $.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by BIG CHEVY 3600

You can probably pick up a Miller that will mig,tig,and stick on Ebay for that much $.

The Hobart is a nice welder and owned by the same parent company as the miller, my Hobart came with a Miller gun. Miller's are nice machines actually I love them but there is nothing wrong with a Hobart (I love my hobart also). I welded with both and I really did not see the difference, but maybe thats just me. All I saying is don't have to have a miller to have a nice machine.

I have a hobart 180 and I weld everything from the sheetmetal to chassis work and it welds sweet. I had it for about 5 years now and its never gave me a problem.

[72Mountaineer]

In the past few months I've read a few posts about changing the rearend and springs. i can understand changing the rears to a modern one, but what about the springs? When i bought my truck, it had newer 1/2 ton springs on it. Is there any problem with using the stock springs, as long as they are in good condition?

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

The Hobart is a nice welder and owned by the same parent company as the miller, my Hobart came with a Miller gun. Miller's are nice machines actually I love them but there is nothing wrong with a Hobart (I love my hobart also). I welded with both and I really did not see the difference, but maybe thats just me. All I saying is don't have to have a miller to have a nice machine.

I have a hobart 180 and I weld everything from the sheetmetal to chassis work and it welds sweet. I had it for about 5 years now and its never gave me a problem.

No one is arguing to merits of either Hobart or Miller. I will dispute the claim that you can’t buy a quality welder that will do more than the jr. welders for less than $1k. This is what I bought on eBay for $825.00 delivered, less the wire feeder, cables and gas: http://s729.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=P1180002.jpg
It will mig, tig, and stick. The voltage is 220 however.

[chevytroy]

seriously have not seen any modern leaf swaps. ive seen tri-links,parallel 4 link, tci leaf kit, c4 vette irs, and the 67-72 swing arm swap. but have not seen modern leafs of a donor i.e. s10 or any other swap on an AD truck. if there is anyone out there that has done it I need some pics please....

[chevytroy]

big chevy 3600 I like your set up thats a nice welder.

[Kabwe]

IMO where tig really shines is its capabilities to weld AC and DC. I have not seen a name brand AC/DC tig which has a list price of 800 bucks (please give me info if you have because I'm in the market for one). Miller and Hobart have AC/DC tigs for 1300 and that's the lowest I seen from them. The short coming of the new economy line hobart and Miller AC/DC tig welders is the low duty cycle but for the home hobbyist (like me) they will be fine.

But I have to admit if I saw the setup you have I would have got that because for 800 it's a steal. But I still would want AC capabilities.

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

You need to hang out at eBay and be on the watch for it. Remember my welder was over 12 years old when I bought it, that was 4 years ago. These things don't wear out if taken care of. Miller here in the Dallas area will repair whatever does wear out. They are like cars, when new you pay the premium but when they get older and the newer and fancer models come out you'll pay a lot less. They will still do the job, just not with all the bells and whistles. But, who needs bells and whistles unless your a fairy.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by BIG CHEVY 3600

They will still do the job, just not with all the bells and whistles. But, who needs bells and whistles unless your a fairy.

Are you calling me a fairy?lol