Any of the 4.3 5 speed trucks will have a cast iron front differential in it that is worth pulling. They are a lot stronger than the aluminum ones.

 

You are right. The ZR2 suspension is better. I'm not very versed on the 4wd s series though. I had a 99 Sonoma ZQ8 ext cab stepside.

I would take the suspension parts. As you said torsion bars, leaf springs, axles, skid plates, etc. I would also take the shocks from it too because they probably have more travel because the ZR2 sit higher stock than a regular 4x4 jimmy/blazer. I would also take the wheels and tires from the ZR2 and put them on the Bravada. I'd possibly take the spare tire arm and put it on the Bravada too.

 

Not all 5 speeds were cast iron, mine isn't, as sad as I am to say that. bring a magnet with you.

You can use the engine, trans, T-case, torsion bars, and front diff, as far as the drive train is concerned. all ZR2's came with 3.73's where as most blazers/jimmies/bravadas have 3.42's, you would have to find a matching ratio rear to use with the front diff.

The Z springs will give you lift, more than you can match with the front, Truck springs wont fit a blazer.

the Front skid plate wont fit either, it is longer than a NON-Z plate, and they are made of a composite plastic, if you want something stronger, look for a set of Aluminum ones, or build some steel ones.

 

Will the front diff work with my AWD or is that 4wd only? Even bigger question. Would it be possible to pull all the 4wd components from the ZR2 and convert my Bravada to 4wd (not saying I am going to do it just a thought)? Maybe I should just say forget it and swap frames. :rotf:

If I can get a good deal on the ZR2 I will probably drive it until the v8 is in the Bravada and use it as a backup through the winter until I work out all the bugs with the Bravada. Then come spring time I will at least pull the transmission, pedal assembly, driveshafts (if the lengths are right), ect and put them in the Bravada. How practical would it be to put my auto transmission in the ZR2 and have two running vehicles? Then I could sell the ZR2 and get some of my money back. Maybe I could swap the ECMs from the two vehicles (I think the ZR2 one is better than what is in my Bravada) that way I would only have to have the ECM going into the Bravada programmed instead of both of them for the transmission change. You guys have given me some good info already that I have been unable to find. More info would be greatly appreciated.

 

The front diff will work, but you will have to swap over the passenger side axle tube and shaft. you could use everything excluding the half shafts as far as the drive train is concerned, however the rear axle will be 3" wider than the one in your bravada.


as far as swapping the VCM, I don't see an issue there, so long as both have the same engine, and version.

 

I might not be buying the zr2 but I did find a nv3500 transmission for $300. Can you tell me the difference in transmission lengths and can I use the drive shafts I have or do I need different drive shafts? What else do I need besides the pedal assembly and master cylinder? Will the shifter be in the same position as my automatic shifter? Will the nv3500 even work with my awd transfer case? If this works out I may just swap in the 5 speed along with the 350.

 

just to note this. truck springs are diff length than 2nd blazer/jimmy springs so i would say they wont fit your bravada.

the Z's rear end will be about 4" wider than your current axle.

 

Up above when I said maybe I should swap frames I wasn't being serious but after thinking about it it might not be such a bad idea. Instead of retyping a long post about it here is some of the text of what I posted over on v8s10.org in my project thread:

This may sound a little crazy and it is not set in stone yet but essentially I want to build the worlds first (as far as I know) Bravada platinum ZR2. I have a friend that I always tell all the crazy ideas I come up with to and he always tells me how crazy those ideas are. I thought this time would be the same but he said it actually sounds like a good idea and he is willing to help me. The idea is to buy the ZR2 with the 5 speed I was talking about earlier and put the Bravada body on the ZR2 frame.

The way I see it there are some advantages to this approach. First of all I wouldn't have to spring for a $400+ suspension lift kit (not to mention I would have all the other suspension and axle upgrades). I would have 4wd instead of the smarttrak system that was always problematic for me. Instead of having to swap in a 5 speed separately it would be included in the package. With the body off the frame I would have way easier access to do things like paint the frame and possibly install the v8 before the body goes on (some of those bellhousing bolts were a pain in the ass when pulling the v6). When adding up the cost of all the parts the ZR2 already has on it that I would likely buy separately in the future even if I pay $2000 for it and scrap it when I am done I will still come out ahead.

Now to the technical questions. First of all considering my Bravada is a 4 door and the ZR2 is a 2 door will the Bravada body even fit on the ZR2 frame? I think I read about a few people putting a 4 door Blazer body on a ZR2 frame so this might not be an issue. The second thing is how much does the body weigh? Is it light enough where if i got 5 or 6 people together we could just lift it off the frame? I am sure I will have many more questions but it is late and I will leave it there for now. This is either the best idea I have had for this project or the worst one. Only time will tell.

What do you guys think? Should I go for it?

 

i am sure the body mounts are in different locations and the truck frame i would say is bent different than a bravada frame.

IMO that seem like a whole lot of work for very little of anything.

 

Here is a guy that had a similar idea to mine (different approach though) with a 4 door Blazer. Looks like it involves cutting and welding the frame. Needless to say I wont be doing that. I guess I will have to settle for the next best thing. A 5 speed Bravada with a suspension and body lift. I did find a NV3500 from a full size truck I might buy. It has 140k miles and the guy is asking $300. I have been told I will need a custom crossmember because the mounting location is different from a Blazer NV3500. A far as drive shaft lengths go I have been told the front shaft from any Blazer with a NV3500 will work but if it is a 2 door the back one will be too short. Does anyone have the actual lengths the driveshafts have to be? Also will the shifter be in the same location as my automatic shifter is now or at least close?