I've got a little problem here that I need help with, but I'm not sure this is the place for it. If this is considered Tech discussion please tell me where I can get help with this.

I've got a 1988 F-250 3/4 ton Pickup with a 133" wheelbase, 302 (5.0L) V8, 5spd manual E8TA trans.

I twisted the driveshaft in half last week and can't find a replacement anywhere Can anyone tell me where to look for one. Ford doesn't carry them anymore, and the junkyards/Used parts shops can't seem to find me one either.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Did you do a search on the net for driveshafts?

You can also call and driveshaft or transmission place around you and have them make you one.

I know there are several companies out on the net that sell driveshafts. Some of them have the specs for length, etc, and you don't HAVE to supply that, but I would recommend it if you can.

MESA DRIVESHAFT

MORE DRIVESHAFTS

TOM WOODS

Just a few that I came across with a search for "driveshafts"

 

I've used Six States Distributors and I was VERY happy with the quality & service. They use ONLY Spicer castings and U-joints, and they spin-balance all driveshafts to 7,000RPM. (They build for dragsters & race cars.) I think I paid ~$300 for ~3-day COD delivery about 5 years ago and I HIGHLY recommend them. They have an ad in almost every 4x rag that includes directions on how to measure each style of d-shaft for a perfect fit, but I'm sure it's on the website, too. They send it ready to bolt in.

 

Sorry Dennis (Mil1ion),

I just signed up on this today, and when I came back to see if anyone had responded I couldn't find it anywhere. and didn't know where to look for it. To be honest with you I wasn't sure it had gone through. Sorry for any problems that I might have caused.

Bigfoot 26

 

I had one from a 89 F150 I was going to use in my 55 but it needed to be shortened, wound up taking it to a machine shop to have it cut down, but with it being aluminum, I was told they could build me a new one cheaper. I paid $136.32 for a new steel shaft, with new yokes and new bearings cut to the length I needed. Try you local machine shops.

 

Looks like that's what I'm going to have to do.
Does anyone know of any that they would recommend in the Phila-Wilmington area? Has anyone heard of Stimmel manufacturing Inc.? They are in our area.

 

Oops, sorry, double post

 

Since I don't live there, I can't help with that, but what I can do is offer this advice:

There must be some 4x4 shops(I used to live in Pittsburg and State College) around. Call them, ask them who they recommend for a new driveshaft. You should find that 2 or 3 will recommend the same place.

Also, from my experience, a machine shop that is clean(no shavings just left on the floor around equipment that isn't being used, etc), personable people, and willing to give you a tour of their facility will do a great job. That's how we found the machine shop that we deal with at work. We've never been let down. I've visited other shops, and they are the opposite of the one we use.

Or you can ask around in the PA chapter.

 

I ended up getting one made that is a little bit stronger, the original driveshaft was 3" di. by .065" my new one is 3 1/2" by .085.
I found a shop with a good reputation for customer satisfaction and durabilty of their products. I paid $225.00
thanks for all of your help.

Yesterday I put the new driveshaft on and I took it out for a drive and the fan clutch bearing went out, leaving me sitting on the side of the road with a fan that would hit the other pulleys if the engine was running. I got that fixed this morning. Does anyone know if there is a way to tell what is going to happen next or how to fix it before it leaves me stranded again?

Again thanks for your help.
Bigfoot26

 

grab the fan blade and check for deflection by moving the blade forward and back. If it moves more than a bit, the bearing is on it's way out.

 

The fan clutch bearing is what I replaced this morning, you could definently move (I mean MOVE) it around. Thanks though.
I have already checked the water pump and it is in good shape. (on the 302 (5.0) V8 the fan attaches to the water pump.)