Front Driveshaft Question
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Bentonville U.S.
Front Driveshaft Question
I own a 79 Bronco that I bought with a 6 in. suspention lift already installed. My wife owns a 79 F150 Shortbed that she bought with a 4 in. suspention lift already installed. When she bought her truck the rear U-joint (single) on the front driveshaft was broken. We fixed it and have ran it for several years. Recently it broke again (possibly a lack of lubricaton). While I was repairing her front shaft, I looked at the one on my Bronco and saw that it has a "double cardan" at the transfer case, her F150 does not. Both trucks have the exact same motor, tranny, and T-case. Did my Bronco come stock with the "double cardan" or was it necessary for the 6 in. lift, and is it necessary to have a "double cardan" for the 4 in. lift on my wife's truck. Thanks for your replies.
Dwayne Good
Dwayne Good
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From: Spokane, WA
Dwayne, I believe all of the 78-79 Broncos had double cardens (early Broncos may have also, I just don't know). I see the double cardens on the front DS of a lot of trucks, including my supercab. I think it just allows less stress on the u-joints with the extreme angle of the front DS.
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From: Bentonville U.S.
Were your 78/79 broncos stock? Does anyone know if an f-150 has a double cardon from the factory , If it doesn't I find it odd since the drivetrains are the same as the bronco, or did some one remove the one from my wifes f-150? My stock early bronco has a double cardon on the front shaft (now we both know!) I had to check. thanks for all the info. 
Last edited by good4x4; May 15, 2004 at 09:26 AM.
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From: Spokane, WA
My guess is when the lift was done on her truck someone replaced the DS or lengthened it and didn't put the double carden back in due to cost or who knows what. If you can install a double carden you'll fund that you won't be replacing u-joints up there so often.
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From: lino lakes, mn
just a side note thats is also known as a constant velocity joint if you look into the centrer of the joint you'll see it's sping loaded center ball they I know the full time 4x4 got these joints but not all the part time 4x4 trucks
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Joe Kucinski
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From: Cedar Falls, IA
This could be wrong, but I seem to remember something about a shorter tranny adapter between the trannies and the transfer case. This put the front yoke closer to the D44 and that's why the bronco got the double cardan on the front drive shaft. I believe the rear shaft is identical to the SB 4x4 truck. Remember, the bronco has a shorter wheelbase than the SB pickups.
Remember, I said this is from memory only...
John
Remember, I said this is from memory only...
John
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From: Bentonville U.S.
I just measured both trucks (my Bronco & wife's F150). The distance from the T-case front yoke and the D-44 yoke are the same (27.25"). The tranny adapters are also the same (7.5"). The rear driveshafts are not the same, there is 11" difference. In order to decrease the angle on the rear u-joint of the front shaft, it looks like we will be looking for a Bronco front driveshaft with a double cardan at the local salvage yards. Thanks for everyone's replies.
These driveshaft measurments may not be stock - but neither are the trucks.
These driveshaft measurments may not be stock - but neither are the trucks.
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FWIW, all I have are 3/4 ton trucks and all the non high boys have that joint. I just can't imagine the front drive shaft not binding without one. I've seen them in catalog breakdowns for the 150 too, I would think they are supposed to have them also.
Tuned
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From: Erie, Pa
My 79 Bronco has them front and rear, my 77 1/2 F-250 supercab has it on the front shaft, my 79 short bed F-150 doesn't have it on either, my 78 F-150 longbed doesn't have in on either, and the 77 F-150 I just parted does not have it on either. Of the 4 or 5 others that I have seen in the last year, I can only remember the Broncos, or the F-250s haveing them. The 77 I just parted has the short transfer case spacer, and the Bronco has the long transfercas spacer.
Steve S.
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Steve S.
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I forgot about the new SuperCab I just got. It's an F150 and it has the joint too. The more I read on here, the more I believe that Ford didn't really have a standard for much stuff. Most everytime I go to the parts store they need to know the serial number so they know what part to get. The serial number for the change is usually different too.
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