Solid Axle 2

Sorry the text in the red did not come out. I retyped it.

The Stage West kit can be installed on any '83-'96 S-series truck or Blazer chasis, but some are better choices than others. Starting off with the best combination of pieces can save you swapping dollars later on. In a nutshell, the best trucks for conversion are '88 and later units with4.3L engines. Avoid four bangers  (either the '83-84 2.0 Isuzu or the 2.5L GM) because they dont have to grunt to turn larger tires. Also, they often come equipped with weak four-speeds. Through 1987, the big engine is the 115hp 2.8
l V6, which is no powerhouse, but at the lower end of acceptable. It can be replaced  with a bolt in 3.4L crate motor fron GM Performance that has 160hp. In 1988, the 4.3L was introduced and these  make the best choices. This engine, or a V8, can be swapped into earlier units, but the 4.3L, especially the later Vortec units are more than enough grunt.
   The two most common early trannies are the 700R4 automatic or the Borg-Warner T-5 manual 5-speed. Both of these are acceptable units. In 1988, the 4.3L V-6 came with New Venture 3500 five-speed, Which was stronger than the T-5 to accommodate  the 4.3L. The '86 and later 700R4s were much improved over the previous units.
  The transfer case was either the NP207C ('83-'87) or the NP231C ('88-and-up) Both are adequate , but the NP231 has the edge in durability and strength due to its 1.25 inch drivechain (versus 1 inch) and pressure lubrication (versus splash). The 231 also has lower 2.72:1 low range (versus 2.6:1) and can be fitted with a short tailshaft kit, unlike the NP207 units.
  To 1988 the only rear axle fitted was the GM small 10-bolt, with a 7.5 inch ring gear and a 26 spline axles. It's barely strong enough for 31s, will be overmatches by 33s, and will be totally destroyed by 35s. A 7.63 inch ring gear unit was offered from 1988 for the 4.3L versions. These have bigger 28 spline axles and they are OK for 33 inch tires but barely adequate for35s. The ideal OE rear axle is the 8.5 inch ring gear big 10-bolt that was offered in '95 and up S-10s with the ZQ8 and ZR2 packages.
  Going beyond GM parts, a near bolt-in rear axle to consider is the Dana 44 from an '86 and up Cherokee XJ (with the optional trailer towing package) or the Comanche Metric Tonne MJ pickup. This axle would also have the added advantage of matching the front axle wheel-bolt pattern, but it's a hard piece to find. The spring pads  would require relocation, but the other dimensions match nicely.
  Beyond the rare XJ unit, you could consider a more common and less expensive Ford 8.8-inch unit from a '95 and up Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer. It has a big 8.8 inch ring gear, 31 spline axles, and rear discs. It also has similar dimensions and the same 5 on 4.5 inch bolt pattern of the Jeep Dana 30 front axle. Again the spring pads need relocation, but the axle is already a swapping choice for Jeep YJs  (see the July '99 issue page 68) and is dimensionally correct.