S10 4x4 Rear axle

[avewhtboy]

Has anyone put a 4x4 axle under a vega?

The reason I ask is, Late model Corvette/F body wheels have a large offset, the 18x10 wheel has 8 inches
of backspacing.

For 2wd S10 owners to use these wheels, they have to install 2.5 inch spacer on each side. For 4wd vehicles, they
can't bolt these wheels right on, no spacer.

So my thinking had been to use a 4x4 S10 axle to eliminate needing the spacers in the rear, while keeping the tires inside the
fenders.

2wd S10 axles are approximately 26 inches long, where the 4wd axles are 29 inches long.

One thing that concerns me is the additional width from the rotors maybe pushing it out to far.

Most people I see are running 4-5 inches of backspacing, anyone running more or using late model vette/camaro wheels?


I am having an axle from a 2001 Camaro cut down to fit my car and rather than having custom axles made, I was hoping to purchase something off the shelf. What I have ended up doing, for now, is actually buy some G-Body 28 spline axles that are 28.4 inches long in order to bring the tires in a little more than the S10 4wd axle.


Would really like to hear any experience along these lines. Pictures and videos even better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Smiley]

There is a whole 8.5 4x4 rear end for $200 on craigslist:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/pts/3929825077.html

[avewhtboy]

No replies, in all these years people modifying Vegas using S10 parts no one has ever tried to put
late model Corvette/Camaro wheels on one?

I have my axle at the shop getting narrowed now using G-body axles rather than S10. I am doing this hopefully
the tires find themselves inside the fender wells!

[hammerdown7]

I haven't done it on an h-body but to give some direction I had Vette size wheels on a Typhoon, 17X9.5 & 17X11. When I sold it the new owner wanted the stock wheels. So I put the Vette wheels on a '98 GMC Sonoma 2WD pickup using a 2 1/2 inch adapter in the rear and they fit the wheel well just about the same.

Dick

[avewhtboy]

I haven't done it on an h-body but to give some direction I had Vette size wheels on a Typhoon, 17X9.5 & 17X11. When I sold it the new owner wanted the stock wheels. So I put the Vette wheels on a '98 GMC Sonoma 2WD pickup using a 2 1/2 inch adapter in the rear and they fit the wheel well just about the same.

Dick

Thanks for the post Dick, Yes, I have a friend with an S10 that was running them all around using 2 1/2 inch spacers as well. I am thinking some of
you guys are wanting to run those wheels on your "street" Vega no?

from my research four wheel drive S10 axle is 29 inches, two wheel drive S10 axle is 26 inches, G-body axles are 28.4 inches, they make a 28 inch
long axle that fit a honda passport, isuzu rodeo as well. All these are for the 7.5/7.625 rear axle.

I am looking at these in order to keep the torque are suspension setup.

[hammerdown7]

The problem you will run into with the newer Vette style wheels, or Camaro for that matter, is the Vega wheel well gets pretty tight with a wheel over 8 inches without other mods and in the front the tire diameter, not the wheel, is a problem when you get larger than 24-24.5 inch tire.

Dick

[avewhtboy]

The problem you will run into with the newer Vette style wheels, or Camaro for that matter, is the Vega wheel well gets pretty tight with a wheel over 8 inches without other mods and in the front the tire diameter, not the wheel, is a problem when you get larger than 24-24.5 inch tire.

Dick

OK so the problem with late model wheels is 17x8.5 inch rims create a problem on the front even with spacers?

I would think an 225/235 30-40 series tire would fit a stock vega with the right spacer?

Only half inch wider than 8 inch rims being used by some.

I have C5 front clip so no fitment issues for what I am doing.

Oh well it's fun to be a pioneer!

[hammerdown7]

I have 15X8 front wheels with 225/50 tires. My wheels are zero offset so they have roughly a 4.5 inch back space. The tires slightly hit the plastic inner liner inside the back side of wheel well, at the front lower corner of the wheel well they clear by 1/4-3/8 of an inch. There is also some slight rubbing on large bumps on the outside sidewall/tread area, I can hear it but can't see anything on the tire. Mine isn't as low as yours look in your avatar.

The 225/50-15 tire is 24.0" in diameter, section width 8.9 on a 15X7 wheel. Checking Tire Rack a 225/45-17 is 25.0,section width 8.9 on a 17X7.5 wheel. A 235/40-17 is 24.5, section width 9.6 on a 17X8.5 wheel. So it looks to me like the 235/40-17 might be your best bet.

Dick

[cosvega76]

The largest I felt safe with on my stock Vega/S-10 front end is a 215/40-17 on a 17x7 wheel, 4-1/2" backspace. But I have my car lowered a little, too, and didn't want rubbing. The only place I have rubbing is against the sway bar at full lock.

Vega.jpg

Chuck

[avewhtboy]

... Mine isn't as low as yours look in your avatar.

The 225/50-15 tire is 24.0" in diameter, section width 8.9 on a 15X7 wheel. Checking Tire Rack a 225/45-17 is 25.0,section width 8.9 on a 17X7.5 wheel. A 235/40-17 is 24.5, section width 9.6 on a 17X8.5 wheel. So it looks to me like the 235/40-17 might be your best bet.

Dick

The tire on the front of my car in the avatar picture is 255/40/17 which is about 25 inches tall. I could see a stock Vega using the 235/40 pretty easily.

If someone were to get 2.5 inch longer control arms from justin along with his k-member and rack, add some coil overs and S10 blazer spindles for a decent
brake package might be a decent handling setup.

[avewhtboy]

The largest I felt safe with on my stock Vega/S-10 front end is a 215/40-17 on a 17x7 wheel, 4-1/2" backspace. But I have my car lowered a little, too, and didn't want rubbing. The only place I have rubbing is against the sway bar at full lock.

Vega.jpg

Chuck

Hey man nice car! It looks like that tire is about 23.8 inches tall so it appears on a stock Vega around 24 inches tall is upper limit with suspension
modification.

Once I get this car on the road going to have to build a "street" version for fun!