S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

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S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby Rickard0 » Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:05 pm

When looking at the "The S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Master Parts List" http://www.forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47186 It shows a 26 and 28 spline Axel.

1) My question is how do I know which spine count I have in my car, and how would I know what the S10 spine count it? There is a '88 S10 that just showed up in my local junkyard and was wanting to go get the axles.

I have a 1977 Buick Skyhawk S

2) The page references a Brake Drum, I assume I can use my current brake set up for it? Or should I just pull the brakes and everything on the axle?
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby cosvega76 » Mon Jan 02, 2023 11:53 am

The Skyhawk has a 26 spline differential carrier. The '88 S-10 should be a 28-spline (I believe the cross over from 26 to 28 spline was 1988). The axles will work if you use the carrier from the S-10, and transfer your ring gear. Be aware, though, that the carrier is different with different ratios: 3.08 and below, or 3.23 and above. If you have a 2.93 or 3.08 ratio in the Skyhawk, you wouldn't be able to use the ring gear on a carrier with a 3.42 ratio, for example.


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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby Rickard0 » Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:23 pm

Whoa, thanks for the response, a bit more complex for me: the drive way (not a) mechanic. I get an understand all you say though so this is extremely helpful.
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby Smiley » Sun Jan 15, 2023 9:39 pm

82-88 should be 26 spline, 89 had both and 90+ are 28
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby Rickard0 » Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:35 pm

ok. So did I misunderstand what Chuck said? Was his whole response there because he thought the Spindles were 28 spines?

So if the 26 spines, then I can just pull them then use them.
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby cosvega76 » Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:03 am

You'll have to count the number of splines on the S-10 axles to be sure they'll work for you.


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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby Monza Harry » Sun Jan 29, 2023 6:09 pm

As Chuck and Smiley posted there seems to be some confusion as to which years had which axles [spline count] in the Small "S" trucks. If you pull them and they are 26 (all 7.5" H-Body 10 bolts are, if unmolested Unknown, as they are approaching 50 years old) as your drums will not fit without a re-drill take everything from the "S" truck as brake parts for those are way easier to find than H-Body brakes, I haven't laid the drums and parts side by side to tell if they are otherwise different, I should and can as I have a few Monza's (2, +many parts) and my Daily Driver is a Sonoma, but I haven't, Sorry. Harry
I'm not a hoarder I'm a preservationist 78 Monza Spyder (~Soon(ish +/- I guess) To Be 2+2 with Spoilers)
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby Smiley » Wed Feb 08, 2023 12:53 am

89 is supposed to be the transition year for S10's so if they have an 88 you should be good,
but count the splines before you pay for them.
You can use the 28 splines if you use the carrier out of the S10 but that is more work.
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby 73 307 GT » Sun Mar 19, 2023 5:56 pm

I have a late Monza rear in my '73 and am planning on doing this conversion this summer. Will the S-10 brake drum, work with my existing brakes?
'73 Vega GT - 307/350/Monza rear w/ Powertrax locker
'85 Corvette Coupe - 350/4+3 trans/Z-51/no cats
'95 Blazer 2 door - 4.3/4wd (daily driver)
'01 Blazer/Trailblazer (wife's)
'86 Suburban - 350 w/ Vortec heads (tow vehicle)
'93 S-10 - 4.3/2wd
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Re: S10 5 Lug Wheel Conversion Question

Postby monzaaddict » Sat Mar 25, 2023 3:44 pm

you want to use your stock 77 skyhawk backing plates and and stock replacement shoes/hardware/wheel cylinders. The shoes and hardware are common readily available parts. The wheel cylinders are still available. You want 2wd s10 axles and drums. The drums are common readily available parts. If you get 28 spline axles then you need a 28 spline carrier. The s10 part is a less desirable gov lock. The zexel torson unit is a better choice and is available on ebay, etc. Auburn posi's are also readily available. You have to make sure that any posi unit is the correct series depending upon the gear ratio you have.
If you are using the single piston s10 front calipers then stick with the stock 77 skyhawk master cylinder as the s10 caliper piston size is the same as the stock 77 skyhawk.
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