8.5" from a 96 S10...will it fit?

Will a 8.5" rear from an 1996 S10 fit our cars? Can they be made to be stronger?

Or am I better off going with a Ford 8.8?

From what I am aware of, S10's only came with 7.5's in it. I know because I robbed the 4.10 gears out of one and put in my stock rear! Maybe the 4x4 trucks had the 8.5??

8.5in. S-10 rears are probably too narrow for an F-body. You "might" be able to get one from a ZR2 to fit easier, they are a total of 4in. wider than other s-10s. I beleive ALL ZR2s have an 8.5s, but the early ones may not. Incase you didn't no, not all 4x4s are ZR2s and most normal 4x4s don't have the 8.5.
Select odd-ball S-10s got 8.5s previous to about '98. After either '98 or '00 just about every V-6 standard regular cab 2wd had them, but those are HARD to find. I'm searching for one now for my LT1 s-10, but most junkyards can't even tell a difference between the two rears. It is hit and miss trying to find them, and alot of the S-10 guys are grabbing up what few 8.5s there are.

My s-10 rear is about 54in. from mounting surface to mounting surface, so the ZR2s are about 58in. I have no clue how wide an F-body is, I'm an s-10 guy.

Incase you didn't know, your F-body brakes will bolt on to either s-10 axle with no problem what-so-ever. That's an upgrade that many s-10 owners do. It is not supposed to make a difference in the width of mounting surfaces either.

Hope i helped.