Gear vendors install
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
Gear vendors install
I'm preparing to install my gear vendors in my 76 2wd sc behind the c6.
I'm trying to decide what exactly to do about the driveshaft. I have a 2 piece shaft presently but am unsure what I will be doing. I was hoping someone else has done with this.
I am going to measure things and see if a one piece shaft might be a good plan
I'm trying to decide what exactly to do about the driveshaft. I have a 2 piece shaft presently but am unsure what I will be doing. I was hoping someone else has done with this.
I am going to measure things and see if a one piece shaft might be a good plan
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 2,365
I installed a GV in my highboy with an NP435 so it's somewhat different. it would probably be easier to shorten your front shaft, but you could probably just go to a single longer one.
Are you going to go with the full auto set up or use the manual switch on the GV?
You'll like it. I didn't do it so much for the extra gears I wanted the OD. and it's so much nicer.
Are you going to go with the full auto set up or use the manual switch on the GV?
You'll like it. I didn't do it so much for the extra gears I wanted the OD. and it's so much nicer.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
I installed a GV in my highboy with an NP435 so it's somewhat different. it would probably be easier to shorten your front shaft, but you could probably just go to a single longer one.
Are you going to go with the full auto set up or use the manual switch on the GV?
You'll like it. I didn't do it so much for the extra gears I wanted the OD. and it's so much nicer.
Are you going to go with the full auto set up or use the manual switch on the GV?
You'll like it. I didn't do it so much for the extra gears I wanted the OD. and it's so much nicer.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
Likes: 345
From: Albuquerque
I'm not sure why you have a two piece drive shaft in a two wheel drive. Is it a long bed? You should have to shorten the drive shaft as the GV is a little longer than the tail shaft.
Last edited by beartracks; Nov 21, 2025 at 09:15 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
Sc long bed. It is all stock. I'm going to call the driveshaft guy today and see what he says
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 2,365
I don't recall how long your front driveshaft is, but I would think you could shorten it easier and cheaper than building a new one and eliminating the carrier bearing. you're looking at about 2' for the GV, so if your front shaft is 5' or so I'd shorten it, if it's less than that a new shaft might be a better idea.
my shaft between the transmission and transfer case was already short, but Tom Woods came up with an idea that works great. if you're not sure about who you're using call him they're the best.
my shaft between the transmission and transfer case was already short, but Tom Woods came up with an idea that works great. if you're not sure about who you're using call him they're the best.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
I don't recall how long your front driveshaft is, but I would think you could shorten it easier and cheaper than building a new one and eliminating the carrier bearing. you're looking at about 2' for the GV, so if your front shaft is 5' or so I'd shorten it, if it's less than that a new shaft might be a better idea.
my shaft between the transmission and transfer case was already short, but Tom Woods came up with an idea that works great. if you're not sure about who you're using call him they're the best.
my shaft between the transmission and transfer case was already short, but Tom Woods came up with an idea that works great. if you're not sure about who you're using call him they're the best.
The front shaft is honestly pretty short. I'd estimate maybe 3' or less. I'm going to roll the truck in and jack it up for better measurements. I have a fixed gv yoke and the front shaft doesn't have a slip in it. Gv said to leave that. My original arrangement had a slip yoke at the c6 rear ..I'm conflicted about that recommendation
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 2,365
The GV will add about 2', so if your front shaft is 3' a 1' driveshaft is doable. but I would think a one piece that's 1' longer than a standard cab would be cleaner and no problem at all. if you're not sure you could talk to woods and get a professional opinion .
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 784
In my 79 F350 I had to have the driveshaft shortened 4 inches when I switched from the C6 to an E4OD. Mine is the 2 piece style and I had it shortened at a place called PEM in St Clair MO. It wasn't very expensive to have done and they rebalanced the whole thing as a unit.
With the longer transmission I had to shim the carrier bearing a little bit lower to make everything complementary in the drivetrain. I'm thinking that I had to drop it down about 1/4 inch but it has been a while since I looked at it.
With the longer transmission I had to shim the carrier bearing a little bit lower to make everything complementary in the drivetrain. I'm thinking that I had to drop it down about 1/4 inch but it has been a while since I looked at it.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
In my 79 F350 I had to have the driveshaft shortened 4 inches when I switched from the C6 to an E4OD. Mine is the 2 piece style and I had it shortened at a place called PEM in St Clair MO. It wasn't very expensive to have done and they rebalanced the whole thing as a unit.
With the longer transmission I had to shim the carrier bearing a little bit lower to make everything complementary in the drivetrain. I'm thinking that I had to drop it down about 1/4 inch but it has been a while since I looked at it.
With the longer transmission I had to shim the carrier bearing a little bit lower to make everything complementary in the drivetrain. I'm thinking that I had to drop it down about 1/4 inch but it has been a while since I looked at it.
I got under the truck today and I was wrong. The front shaft is prob 5 ' long. I'll have that shortened for sure and check ujoint angles and equalize them.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 176
Take the front and rear in so it can be balanced as a unit.
Just taking in the front by itself would be like taking just the rim of a two piece wheel in; when it all bolts back up, odds are good it won’t be balanced.
Just taking in the front by itself would be like taking just the rim of a two piece wheel in; when it all bolts back up, odds are good it won’t be balanced.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
Yes, I'll actually have him do a new carrier hearing and quality u-jounts. I just sure would think a slip yoke at the rear of the gv since the carrier hearing is fixed would make sense. Unless the engine ,trans,carrier would never move...
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 784
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 2,365
I'm not saying it can't be done, I said it's not done. good luck finding a local shop who doesn't zero balance everything independently. there's nobody in my half the state who could. just balance your new shaft and if it's not smooth zero balance the other.
I watched Kenworth balance driveshafts and they're done one at a time.
I watched Kenworth balance driveshafts and they're done one at a time.