Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train more info S-10 rear

I see a lot of guys like the s-10 4x4 rear ends.
I have a 1951 chevy with a 53 235. what year s-10 should i be looking for? What are the gear ratios? what about hub bolt pattern? will my stock steel rims fit. I really want to keep my stock rims. How do i tell if it is posi or not?Any info would help. Or should i just look for 55-6-7 rear end as originally planned. thanks.

The ratio(s) will depend on what it is you want to do with the vehicle, how much it weighs and what type of transmission you have/plan.

Someone posted that a 78 Camero one is almost a 'bolt in' deal.

Check with EVL235 for compatability, he's the used parts expert.

Good luck.

s-10 bolt pattern

5 X 4.75 or 5 X 120.65 mm

The ratios varied from 2.73:1 - 4.10:1 on the s-10 axles.

How wide of an axle do you need?


I believe the 98 + 4X4 came standard with disk brakes, if that interests you.


Gear ratios can be determined by raising the back axle, mark the driveshaft or driveshaft/pinion flange, then mark the tire, now count the driveshaft revolutions per one revolution of the tire. If you come up with something between 2 and 3/4 to just over 4 revolutions of the driveshaft, its a posi and thats your ratio. If you come up with 1 and 1/3 to just a hair over 2 revolutions, times that by two to get your ratio and this is an open rear axle.

If you jack up the rear and the tires Both turn the same way It's a posi( limited slip) If one goes the other way Then It's not a posi. The chevelle was also anothercar that was used But you had to put the spring pads On the axle for leaf springs.
The Other way to test for a Posi/Limited slip rear Is to Leave One tire on the ground have the tranny in neutral And then try to turn the tire If it's Not a posi/limited slip It will turn. A posi/limited slip will NOT turn.

I used a 78 camero rear on my 54 belair. The stock spring plates were perfectly placed to mount up. The only thing I had to change was the brake line fed fron the left instead of the right. I also havent worked out the emergency cables yet, but that cause I am planing to adapt the stock cables to the camero drums.

I forgot the mention that the width was perfect also. I am not sure of the size of you rearend but It might be worth looking into.

That will work. 51 & 54 are the same 'spring wise' in the rear.

Good luck.