Hey gang, i kinda have spent some time on the old girl and slowly moving forward. I have the motor and trans in and the rear all set now. I tried to put the driveshaft in but i cant get it into the tailstock of the trans because it hits the crossmember. I was going to just cut out what i need and put in a saftey loop to tie things back together. Do you guys have any ideas or pics even of what you have done? This is also a complete airbaged suspension so i have alot of travel.

 

Nobody has any ideas??????? Bump

 

Well first off, mine is a 50 but I didnt hit any crossmembers. I did hit the bed crossmembers (the ones for the bed wood) and only had to trim it up to barley clear the aluminum driveshaft I had built.

Also I custom built the trans mount with a drop out just in case I ever have to drop the transmission. If you have the room I would go for the driveshaft loop, as that is what I had planned till I ran out of room.

Sorry it wasnt much help but I would venture to say your on the right path and have good ideas so far.

 

I will try to get some pics of what i have to work with and maybe that would let others see what im working with.

 

Here is a pic from the tailstock and crossmember issue and a extra pic of the rear that looks like it will hit the back crossmember. So what do you think?

 

Okay the pictures help. I didnt have the cross member directly behind the transmission so I cant tell you how to fix that one.

The rear cross member by the rear end I got lucky. I just cleared all of it but had to completely remove the emergency brake hardware.

I wouldnt be too concerned with the member by the transmission (although not too sure of its intended purpose) but the one by the rear end is the real problem.

The reason I say that is because say you are driving and all is clear. Then you park and let all the air out, bam, bent driveshaft when that thing hits the driveshaft.

Just another side note: I thought I had everything clear when I installed my driveshaft, but after driving for a while the bags start to settle in and can compromise all your clearances.(Thats why I had to later remove the e-brake hardware)

 

Pardon my ignorance,but what is a drive-shaft loop?Guess they were gone by my trucks' era.

 

A driveline safety loop looks something like this:



Its primary purpose is to keep the driveline from hitting the pavement and creating a pole vault effect or going through the floor and entering the passenger compartment if the shaft comes apart or a u-joint breaks. Many racing classes require one.

 

Thanks,Joe.Were they something added, or a stock part of the truck?

 

I had to notch the crossmember shown.. the one in the other picture was fine.
(I don't have as much travel as u do)

Sam

 

Sam did you just notch it or did you make it into a safety loop? If not why not, just asking not meaning you did anything wrong.

 

I just notched. Safety loop is nice if your gonna race it.

Sam

 

I'm so close to running into the same problem........You beat me to the question rtcalabrojr! I'm more concerned with the rear one on mine, drive shaft is dead center of it. I been thinking I will have no choice but build a complete crossmember w/loop.

 

Well I can't even get my driveshaft to enter the tailstock with the way you see it. Im thinking of notching the front to get it in and try to line up to the rear and cycle the suspension and see what Else needs moving! Fun is!!