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Replacement Front Drive Shaft

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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 12:03 AM
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Replacement Front Drive Shaft

2003 6.0 double cardan
Slip yoke is rusted solid. Not coming apart and even if it did the blue coating is toast. Buy new, salvage or what? I can’t even get a definite answer on how long the damn thing should be.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 08:33 AM
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If you have a yard local to you, I'd go with a salvage. The downside is, the front bolts that hold the joint are tiny (IMHO), and likely they'll be frozen in there solid. Not to mention the blue loctite. And around here, the yards don't allow any sort of torch in the property. That's probably for the better given most folks propensity to make poor decisions.

Anyway, I can measure the distance on mine and I did not have it modified when I did my swap if you think that'll help you out.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 12:36 PM
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I will probably end up going to salvage and just using my newer u-joints that were installed just a couple of years ago. There used to be a yard up by nicmike that carried them but they shut that down. A measurement would be nice if you don’t mind.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 04:55 PM
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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 06:34 PM
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Mine is approximately 42 1/8 flange to center of front joint. I'm at 27" ride height though, so mine is not stock.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by EXSwap
Mine is approximately 42 1/8 flange to center of front joint. I'm at 27" ride height though, so mine is not stock.
I’m at about 28 1/2” so same here. I think I’m going to the LKQ salvage route and just rebuild with my still new Spicer u joints and keep the double cardan in one piece. Measurements are good peace of mind though.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 08:34 PM
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I have my front driveshaft out replacing the u-joints. I wish I would have seen this before I took in apart. I'm waiting parts till Thursday. I'll take a measurement once it goes back together. I'll check if you still need it by then.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by heathrm
I have my front driveshaft out replacing the u-joints. I wish I would have seen this before I took in apart. I'm waiting parts till Thursday. I'll take a measurement once it goes back together. I'll check if you still need it by then.
Sure! I think they measure flange to center of front u joint caps with the shaft compressed.
Thanks!
 
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 10:15 PM
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I just had mine rebuilt a couple years back at a shop that just works on drive shafts. I would not doubt that you have a place nearby...I think it was 250 or so but it was a couple of years ago.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 10:29 PM
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I had an old school shop that rebuilt both my driveshafts with USA Spicer u joints and balanced for a very reasonable price a few years ago. The old man sold his shop and all equipment to some meth head and it’s already shut down. The man had some vintage lathes, balancers and a bunch of old solid machines. I wish I had had the cash to buy that place from him.
I will keep looking around.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by SmackDaddy
I had an old school shop that rebuilt both my driveshafts with USA Spicer u joints and balanced for a very reasonable price a few years ago. The old man sold his shop and all equipment to some meth head and it’s already shut down. The man had some vintage lathes, balancers and a bunch of old solid machines. I wish I had had the cash to buy that place from him.
I will keep looking around.
Yep, a dying craft. Any reputable 4x4 places? They may be able to help.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 11:24 PM
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I may call my buddy at Outlaw Offroad and see what he can do. He has an Excursion on 44” Boggers.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 04:20 PM
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I just put the front driveshaft together. I measured right at 41 inches from outside of flange to center of u-joint cap on the other end, with slip-joint fully compressed. Sorry it took so long, the to-do list is long!
 
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Old Apr 28, 2020 | 07:43 PM
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Thanks guys!
 
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Old Apr 29, 2020 | 09:34 PM
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You don't want to measure the shaft. Measure the gap between the flange on the Xfer case and the flange on the pinion...face to face. The driveshaft shop will then build the new shaft to straddle that measurement so the slip yoke can do its work.
 
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