Driveshaft help
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Trailering
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
Driveshaft help
Folks -
Our 78 F150 has no front drive shaft currently, and the rear drive shaft is about 4-5” too short. Neither has a double cardon joint. I bought new ones, but realized there are no weld yokes. So… Does the front drive shaft require a double cardon joint? My front drive shaft will fit.
I’m wondering if I should replace the drive shaft entirely or if I should get a weld yoke and have someone weld it in (I have a welder, could do it myself, but I know this is needs to be done right.
I’d love advice.
Our 78 F150 has no front drive shaft currently, and the rear drive shaft is about 4-5” too short. Neither has a double cardon joint. I bought new ones, but realized there are no weld yokes. So… Does the front drive shaft require a double cardon joint? My front drive shaft will fit.
I’m wondering if I should replace the drive shaft entirely or if I should get a weld yoke and have someone weld it in (I have a welder, could do it myself, but I know this is needs to be done right.
I’d love advice.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 2,353
Your front shaft would have had the double joint, does it require it depends. if you plan on using the 4wd a lot it probably does, if it's just for emergency use it probably doesn't. lots of older 4x4's never had them you just get more vibration. you could try it and see you'll know fast enough if it's acceptable.
Your best bet on the rear if you can't find a good one somewhere is to either buy a new one or take yours to a shop that works on them. it's not something you can do yourself it has to be perfect and it needs to be balanced.
Measure your pickup from center of the U joint on one end then the other and they'll know how long to make it.
Your best bet on the rear if you can't find a good one somewhere is to either buy a new one or take yours to a shop that works on them. it's not something you can do yourself it has to be perfect and it needs to be balanced.
Measure your pickup from center of the U joint on one end then the other and they'll know how long to make it.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
I called up our local driveshaft place and it's going to cost $130 to weld up a new weld yoke, and another $130 or so for the parts to rebuild everything. I'm wondering if I shouldn't just replace both drive shafts at this point... Anyone have a good source on new drive shafts (front and rear)?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 868
Likes: 157
Woods, adams, also many local driveline shops do great work with similar prices to online.
I do build my own driveshafts I tack shafts together in 6 or 8 places on each end while watching runout dial indicator on each end is handy. sledge hammer taps to tune run out and weld placemnt to pull everything true
You can make shafts that are straighter than factory and require no weights.
my first shaft Was on my cummins the yokes press in the tube so I assumed theyd be pretty straight.
wrong cwrong couldn't drive over 55 I cut it apart then started watching runnout. Done lots of jeep shafts since any style i want with great results
Always run the double cardon front. Unless you never run in 4wd. If so then just leaf the shaft off
I do build my own driveshafts I tack shafts together in 6 or 8 places on each end while watching runout dial indicator on each end is handy. sledge hammer taps to tune run out and weld placemnt to pull everything true
You can make shafts that are straighter than factory and require no weights.
my first shaft Was on my cummins the yokes press in the tube so I assumed theyd be pretty straight.
wrong cwrong couldn't drive over 55 I cut it apart then started watching runnout. Done lots of jeep shafts since any style i want with great results
Always run the double cardon front. Unless you never run in 4wd. If so then just leaf the shaft off
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
Alright guys - I just need new ones. Anybody know where I can find a new drive shaft for a 78 Ford F150 custom with the 351m? Everywhere I look says they're backordered until February 2022.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 995
Likes: 317
Call your local driveshaft shop back and ask them to quote new shafts. Unless you know where the new or reman replacement shafts you are looking are made/rebuilt, you might be better off having a local shop build them that way you know what you are getting and a competent shop will do it right because they have to talk to customer face to face and stand behind their work. Mailing a defective driveshaft back is not desirable.
If I was faced with your problem I'd try and find used shafts from a trusted source and rebuild them. Note: One drawback of used DS's bought over internet is that unless you know the seller, used shafts could have been hacked, or had shoddy repairs and you buy a pig in the poke.
If I was faced with your problem I'd try and find used shafts from a trusted source and rebuild them. Note: One drawback of used DS's bought over internet is that unless you know the seller, used shafts could have been hacked, or had shoddy repairs and you buy a pig in the poke.
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