Chevrolet Repair: 1988 Chevy Blazer rear end, chevy blazer, axle ratios

Question
The rear end has gone out 3 times. It was replaced most recently 2 years ago.  When opened up this time, there were broken gear pieces and bearings loose. I am wondering if the wrong rear end was installed.  I called a junk yard and they said they needed to know the gear ratio.  How do I find this out?  Is there more than one rear end for this year blazer?  It is 4x4. The model is a K-5.  Thanks

Answer
Hello Chery,
There should be a tag in the glove compartment with a bunch of three didgit, and two didgit codes.
Front axle ratios are in the FX4, FX8, F79, etc area.
And the rear codes are in the GW, GX, etc area.
Then look up each code on this site.

http://www.nastyz28.com/rpomenu.html

Replace with the same as came orriginally, unless both are changed.
Also, make sure no one is spinning on ice where patches of bare asphalt are showing.

It may be worth considering replacing the complete housing if that hasn't been done yet.
Good luck,
Van