I have an '88 s-10 sport 4x4 and was wondering about the logistics of a solid axle swap to increase lift options and off road driveability. Any ideas on diffs and leaf or coil suspension. it currently has a small 6, although possibly swaping in a 305 this summer as well. Any help is appreciated  

So you have the 2.8L V6.  They lack power.  Why not put in a 350 instead of a 305?  You could do leafs or coils.  What tire size do you want to run?  

Ide say put in the ZZ383@ 425 horses, and 35.15.50 swampers,all that power ina small block package,What about a coil spung ride with dana 44 axles from a jeep?  

Yes, the 2.8 lacks alot of power, and runs too much fuel with nothing for results.I have thought also of going with the 350, although it seems to me that 305's are alot easier to find round my area. Currently run 31's but would like to up to 35's, most likely M/T's or swampers as it will mainly be for rough trails and mud. Not much in the way of rocks. would a front diff out of a cherokee work? they're about the same size and thats what i figured would work the best. or would a TJ/YJ axle be wide enough?  

mopar has a set of axles that fit a four link coil sprung jeep the stock repacements for a rubicon,lockers 4.10 gears ,maybe they can be adapted !theyer dana44s.they are 61.9" wide,mebbe that helps to visualise the width.the four wheel drive hardware catalog is where i saw it.dont think it would be too hard to adapt jeep four link to s10? maybe .good luck!  

The Cherokee has a D30 on the front and I would not put any bigger than 33" tires on those axles.  The older ones with actuall u-joints instead of CV's are better and the older ones have replaceable spindle bearing unlike newer onew with the sealed bearing/hub assembly.  I would go for no less than D44 axles.  If you are not limited to staying the same width, you could put full size axles under it.  Consider 1978-79 Ford 1/2 ton or Bronco (9" Ford rear, D44 front).  Even though Ford quit building their 9" rear years ago, the aftermarket offers everything imaginable for it.  

have you checked out s10extremist.org? they have a bunch of info on ifs and sas lifts and v8 engine conversions. plus a lot of other info on s10's. hope this helps.  

If you’re going to go small block look for a 400 there not as hard to find as most people think they installed them in a lot of trucks blazers and suburban's in the 70s. If your swapping a motor for more torque might as well go all the way and get as much as you can the difference in torque compared to a 305 is huge.