One piece driveline question
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 544
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From: West Virginia
Not all superduty's have a two piece drive shaft. Mine is a one piece shaft. I think it has to do with mine being a reg cab. SC and CC's are two piece. The only advantage of a one piece shaft is you don't have vibration problems if you lift your truck. The two piece shafts have to have the carrier bearing shimmed to correct drive line angle. Hope this helps
Fitter
Fitter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Kodiak USA
Fitter565 - thanks for the input.
I heard or read somewhere that a general guideline for shimming the carrier bearing is this:
For each 1" in lift, shim 1/4". Does this seem reasonable to you?
I heard or read somewhere that a general guideline for shimming the carrier bearing is this:
For each 1" in lift, shim 1/4". Does this seem reasonable to you?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 544
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From: West Virginia
I really cant give you a good answer since I didn't have to shim mine. I would ask abendix or dcspecial, they really know there stuff on the lift subject. Just dont mention the cool guy lifts around abendix he goes nuts...lol
Fitter
Fitter
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From: Allen, Tx
Brian,
I had a 4" lift put on and 3" rear blocks, I had to drop my carrier bearing 1 3/4"! I thought the 1/4 per 1" was a good rule too, so I added 3 x 1/4 shims which made no difference at all. (3" rear blocks x 1/4" shims) The vibrations didn't stop until I reached the 1 1/2" of shims. I added another 1/4 for when the fuel tank is empty and I have had no vibrations at all now. All things being equal, I would have prefered a truck like fitter's with a one-piece driveshaft. BTW, the cost of a 1-piece driveshaft (here in Dallas) is $120 custom made by a driveshaft place and $30 labor installation by the shop who did my lift.
I had a 4" lift put on and 3" rear blocks, I had to drop my carrier bearing 1 3/4"! I thought the 1/4 per 1" was a good rule too, so I added 3 x 1/4 shims which made no difference at all. (3" rear blocks x 1/4" shims) The vibrations didn't stop until I reached the 1 1/2" of shims. I added another 1/4 for when the fuel tank is empty and I have had no vibrations at all now. All things being equal, I would have prefered a truck like fitter's with a one-piece driveshaft. BTW, the cost of a 1-piece driveshaft (here in Dallas) is $120 custom made by a driveshaft place and $30 labor installation by the shop who did my lift.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Doesn't the two piece drive shaft give you a lot of clearance that you would lose with a single piece driveshaft?
I must be missing something about lift kits, if you raise the truck to get clearance then put on a one piece driveshaft that hangs down in the middle of the space you just created...........
I must be missing something about lift kits, if you raise the truck to get clearance then put on a one piece driveshaft that hangs down in the middle of the space you just created...........
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From: Allen, Tx
Actually, to get the angle of all 3 u-joints within 3 degrees of each other, I had to lower the carrier bearing so much that my 2-piece looks just like a one-piece. Completely straight from the tranny output shaft to the carrier bearing to the pinion flange. BUT, it still doesn't protrude below the fuel tank for the length of the fuel tank.(check my gallery.)
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: East TN
Umm - one piece driveshafts have to be lengthened when a lift over three to four inches is installed. The two piece shafts really need a double carden shaft when a lift is installed. There's no way to adjust the u-joint operating angles without severe shimming.
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From: Del Rio, Texas USA
A good rule of thumb is make it look like a straight line, thats where its not going to vib... It will always shake a bit on take off from torque at the carrier bearing(its just a rubber donut)... Thats where the one piece elliminates the shudder....... AS for $120??? thats seems a little cheap.. thats about how much it costs for them to modify your driveshaft..ie.. my front was extended 2" for about that... A rear one piece has to be custom made and youll want the CV joint up top and a long travel slip yoke down below.. most prices ive seen from $400-600... I paid a the best Shop in San Antonio $450ish for mine... Id be skeptical on the parts and quality recieved for $120.... BUT as always, just cause its cheap dont mean it wont work!
JJ
JJ
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From: Allen, Tx
The guys who did my 4" lift told me that I wouldn't have any problems unless I went over 6" on the lift. But as you say, I do consider 1 3/4" of shims very severe! I was expecting no more than 3/4" of shims. When I picked up the SuperLift shim kit, the vendor told me to expect to use all 2" of shim plates! So far, no more vibrations. I might still get a custom built one-piece shaft made with two of my existing yokes and 1410's just for peace (piece) of mind.
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From: Allen, Tx
JetJock16,
Well, that's what I thought too! I always thought that a driveshaft had to be expensive since it is (supposed to be) a carefully balanced and assembled item. I got a quote from two companies, one here in Mesquite and one out west that was recommended by Dynatrac. They both wanted between $100 and $120. What you get for that price is that they cut two of your existing yokes from your 2-piece, weld them on a new "tube", balance it, and re-use two of your existing 1410's. And that, I am told, is good enough for lifted 2wd and mildly lifted 4wd (eg. 6" lift.) It sounds like you got a much better quality/tougher driveshaft than I would get. As you said, you pay little, you get little. Judging from your gallery, it looks like your truck needs the toughest stuff it can get. With those tires, you could park your truck on top of mine and not even notice. (Although I would be pretty pissed!)
Well, that's what I thought too! I always thought that a driveshaft had to be expensive since it is (supposed to be) a carefully balanced and assembled item. I got a quote from two companies, one here in Mesquite and one out west that was recommended by Dynatrac. They both wanted between $100 and $120. What you get for that price is that they cut two of your existing yokes from your 2-piece, weld them on a new "tube", balance it, and re-use two of your existing 1410's. And that, I am told, is good enough for lifted 2wd and mildly lifted 4wd (eg. 6" lift.) It sounds like you got a much better quality/tougher driveshaft than I would get. As you said, you pay little, you get little. Judging from your gallery, it looks like your truck needs the toughest stuff it can get. With those tires, you could park your truck on top of mine and not even notice. (Although I would be pretty pissed!)
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