I was wondering what measurments that driveshaft loops need to be for the rear shaft on my 1978 F-150. I dropped a shaft not too long ago do to cracked yoke that has now been replaced, luckily it didnt' bend the shaft, but the loops are just extra security so if one of the u joints snaps, the shaft is contained and not either A) diging into ground doing bad things, B) flopping around bending itself and anything it hits. I was thinking a front and back loop for extrasecurity. If anyone has advice or pics or measurments of the driveshaft loops out there for these, please post them, the truck i believe is stock but you can take a look in my gallery to see it.

Dustin

 

Check your drive shaft geometry first to find out WHY you broke a joint:

http://www.drivetrain.com/driveline_angle_problem.html

Then just raise your truck up on jack stands and measure, -simple.

 

Run a search in the Offroad forum as there have been several really good threads over there on driveshaft hoops including pictures. It may give you some ideas. But of course, like Torque says, find out where the problem lies first. It's fairly common to see this happen when there's excessive axle wrap.

 

Just my two cents, but I prefer to bould my own. When I worked for PCI inductries in riverside I had to fabricate drive shaft hoops for a Chevy kodiak nitrogen truck. I found a ready made loop (just the loop) that worked like a dream. I don't exactly remeber the name, but the hoops are used on a/c ducting for HVAC. It holds up to 12" round and it's about 1/4 inch thick and has grade 6 bolts holding together. I used 5/8 pipe for reinforcements and 1/4 flat stock to cross the frame. It worked great! Funny thing is they ending up losing a driveshaft on the way to the scales and it saved the truck! I'll try and find the name of those hoops and post later.

 

Old V-belts work well as Driveshaft Loops too.