follett007

i have searched this for a few days now and i cant find an exact answer. I want to do the front leaf spring conversion on my 91 XJ. I have heard and read all the pros and cons of this and i am not looking for the typical response from the haters who are against it. im just looking for some answers to my questions. i have a buddie that has a set of rebuilt 1/2 ton chevy axles that was once on a s10 with the front leaf spring perches already welded on the front axle. he said i can have them for $200. my question is can i use my existing tcase being on the wrong side just by possibly flipping it to the other side? i know this will make it so i cant change in and out of 4 wheel and im aware of this. the front axle has the lockouts and i can leave it in 4 wheel and if i really need to i could just crawl under and change it by hand. if this is possible then i can just run with my stock engine trans and tcase till i can get a good deal on a chevy motor trans and tcase. any info will help thanks...

Tom95YJ

The 8.25 is a better choice then the Chevy 10bolt IMO

Most chevy front axles are P/S drop so are you going to swap Tcases also and re route your entire exhaust ?

follett007

thats kinda why i wanted to ask this question. i would like to think i know a decent amount bout xj's but i know that alot of people on here prolly know more... now thats one thing i didnt think about. rerouting my exhause would suck. Im looking for full length axles that would work perfect for my xj and the deal my friend was giving me i wanted to see if it would be ideal to buy and use them. I am set on doing the 350 swap with the 400 turbo trans and depending on the front diff would determine what tcase i would use...

Lead Foot

No. Can't flip the 231. You will want to run a passenger side drop D300.

follett007

ok... i just been curious bout this cause if can do the axle swap without doing the engine trans and tcase at the same time i wanted to run it that way for a lil bit till i find the right deal in engine trans and tcase.

now what size tires can i run on the 1/2 ton chevy axles? i have heard i cant go anywhere over 35s?!

BNJeepsta

The GM 10 bolt is a pile of crap

xjmarc

10 bolt axles will snap like toothpics with 35s. Skip those and find a better set. What year S10 was it because some have a driver drop t-case. I'm guessing the front was swapped in because they never came with a solid front axle. If you want the sbc and th400 find a np205, stronger than a D300 and passenger side drop. You'll already be doing a complete new exhaust with the swap so that won't be a concern but you will have to cut the passenger side floor pan out and make a new one to clear the t-case. Also plan on plating the frame unless it's a stock 350 in which case it won't make any more power or torque than your 4L. If you run the chevy set up find some CUCV axles, D60/14bolt, they will have stock 4.56s and a rear detroit and will hold 40s if you don't get too crazy.

follett007

Yes it was dropped into the s10 it was lifted with front leaf springs I never seen it with those axles on it. Just the way he has it now.
I planed on plating the frame for the extra strength and replacing my rockers with the 2x6 tubing. Ive seen that done once b4 looked pretty nice and helped stiffen it up as well. Alright thanks for the good advice xjmarc

ktmracer419

there is really no good reason to run a pair of 10 bolts.

A lot of work for no real benefit.

andrewmp6

It sounds like a ton of work for no pay off to me.The best cheap axles to get are the explorer 8.8 96+ front is a fsj wagoneer 80 and newer i think.

follett007

I've gotten a lot of good advice. Thanks to everyone. I have decided to not get those Chevy axles. Thank you for steering me away from them. Lol

kirknd4spd

Well, with all the 10 bolt bashing, I'll throw my 2 cents worth in. On my 01 Silverado, the original 10 bolt rear has held up to 39.5x13.5 Iroks for a few years. First with an open diff, then with an Auburn LSD, and now with a Detroit locker. And I've wheeled it pretty hard, just knew when to be easy on the throttle. The Dana 44 I swapped in the front of it (out of an old Chevy), I built with a spool, heavy duty shafts, and managed to break one shaft when I got it in a bind. Both axles have 5.13's as well. I wouldn't hesitate to run 35-37" tires on them.
However, I wouldn't swap them into an XJ. Too much work. I'd personally go with a Ford D44 and 9" for 1/2 ton full width axles. And really, an 8.8 is stronger than the 10 bolt, and isn't a full width axle.

ktmracer419

saying a 10 bolt holds up to 39.5s under a full size truck is like saying a dana 35 holds up fine under an xj with 39.5s.

not saying its not possible, but the cases where it survived are few and far in between. I regularly see broken 10 bolt internals on stock tires and street use.