return to stock etc.

[Huck]

I like the look etc. but I prefer the stock level so I need to remove the lift on my blazer-----3" blocks on rear axel and addtional spring leaf on the front axel. Question---how many leafs were on the front axel on a stock blazer? Mine has 3 and I've seen 5 and 2.

My blazer has 373 gears 4x4 and I have two complete 308 gear axels I would like to swap into it as the rear is posi. The rear is simple and straight forward but the front is a ? as to how much of the assembly do I want to swap. The replacement is badly weathered with significant rust on eveything. Assuming the diff gears were protected by the oil, at what point would I remove things from the weathered front axel assembly to reuse my existing parts?

[Jdog44]

Why dont you keep the 373 diffs and just add a locker. I put posi units in my truck when i added 410 gears. I wish i would have put lockers in.

[bouncytruck]

I have the stock front springs for my '72 sitting in the garage. I haven't looked at them closely, but if memory serves me right, they have 2 springs. The stock springs are flat or bow up a little. Are your front springs after market or do they just have added leafs? I think most of the vendors sell the stock springs.

[Huck]

I believe my front springs were originally 2 leaf and to lift it, a previous owner put in another full length leaf which was also heavier. It resulted in about a 3-4" lift.
Most of my driving will be on-road and 373 gears are just sucking gas. If I were using it off road, I would love the 373 gears but for my use, I want to convert to 308's. I already have an extra set of front and rear axels with the rear being a posi so I just want to swap them out. Just not sure what need to go and stay relative to all the stuff on the front axel. Want the easiest swap for the steering, brakes & suspension-------can anyone suggest the quick and easiest way ---------

[jhow66]

Got a full set of springs front and rear off a 72 --just took them off --make offer.

[CPNE]

Originally Posted by Huck

Question---how many leafs were on the front axel on a stock blazer? Mine has 3 and I've seen 5 and 2.

2 as standard equipment, 3 if HD front spring option. At least with 4x4 pickups anyway.

[Big J]

If the Blazers not your daily driver, you might leave the gears alone. Changing to 3.08s actually shouldn't change much with the gas mileage. It'll just make the engine lug more. The easiest way would be to swap just the gears and put a lock-rite in the rear. The lock-rite, I believe, replaces just the spider gears. Know anyone that can set-up gears? The housings you got looke pretty good, I would try to keepem' under there. I still think ya still need to leave the lift under it, just looks tooooooooo goooooooood! Good luck!

[moodyholler]

Huck, mine has a HD front axle and it has three. It does set up about an inch more than the one down the street with 2 leaves. If you want to sell the 3:73 diffs please let me know. Thanks,moodyholler

[jamie72]

as for the lift,pull the extra leaf out of the front,and just take out the blocks in the back.
i think jeff is right on the number of leafs,2 standard,and the 3 as an option.
maybe you could swap bigj for his,just painted 3.08 axles(with rear posi) and he take your 373? he`s going to need them with those 35` anyways??
but id make him install them in your blazer as part of the deal..
jamie

[bouncytruck]

Here's mine with the stock wheel/tire combo (optional 16" wheels) and a 4" lift. It has 3.08's and does just fine. If I go to bigger tires, I will definately step up to 3.73's or more.

[vtblazer]

Are your 3.08's still in the housings? Could you just swap everything over?
You'll like the 3.08's on the highway better, I'd bet.

[Huck]

The 308's I have are significantly rusted externally--not something I could simply bolt up. I will strip the rear back to the axel housing (brake stuff off) then reinstall good brake stuff. The front is the question---what if anything comes off easy on a well rusted axel assembly? The brakes are definitely beyond restore ----

[chucks70]

Mine has 2 leafs up front and the rolling chasis I just took apart had 2 leafs. Another thing if your taking a lift off you might have to check the steering nuckle (arm?) as it may have been changed to compensate for the difference in height with the lift. If changing the whole axle maybe the replacement already has the right one on it.

[Huck]

Interesting finding--my rear axel is bolted in like a 3/4 ton--ie it has U bolts coming up from the bottom with nuts on top verses the typical squared u bolt droped down from the top and nuts on the bottom. Have no idea why but it also has 5 leaf springs in the back---. Strange~`````

[Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by Huck

I believe my front springs were originally 2 leaf and to lift it, a previous owner put in another full length leaf which was also heavier. It resulted in about a 3-4" lift.
Most of my driving will be on-road and 373 gears are just sucking gas. If I were using it off road, I would love the 373 gears but for my use, I want to convert to 308's. I already have an extra set of front and rear axels with the rear being a posi so I just want to swap them out. Just not sure what need to go and stay relative to all the stuff on the front axel. Want the easiest swap for the steering, brakes & suspension-------can anyone suggest the quick and easiest way ---------

Keep the 3.73's

My 79 K5 had 3.73 factory. my 75 had 3.08. They got the same MPG. And don't say well tire Diameter stuff and odometer off. I took the tires off the 79 and put them on the 75.

Also a 32 inch tire will fit your truck stock so it will run good with the 3.73.

If you want to get the MPG then go to a 700r4 and get the lock up converter working. Then you will get a little better mpg and the 700 would work better with the 3.73 then the 3.08.