Driveshaft Length
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 5
From: Beachville, Ontario
Driveshaft Length
What is the length of driveshaft in a reg. cab longbox 2wd truck with 302/351 & AOD? Is someone willing to measure it for me?
I am putting a 351W & AOD into my 79 F150 and I just discovered that the AOD is shorter than a C6 and has a different size yoke too. What driveshaft can I use? What is the length of a van driveshaft?
Please help, I need truck on road by Tuesday.
Thanks, Chad
I am putting a 351W & AOD into my 79 F150 and I just discovered that the AOD is shorter than a C6 and has a different size yoke too. What driveshaft can I use? What is the length of a van driveshaft?
Please help, I need truck on road by Tuesday.
Thanks, Chad
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 3
Driveshaft Length
I would suggest finding a shop in your area that builds driveshafts and having one custom built. You will have to have the engine/trans. installed for an accurate measurement, but these shops can usually have your shaft done in a day or two at a cost of around $250-300. That way you are guarranteed a driveshaft that will work, as apposed to one that you hope will work.
Nathan
Nathan
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 5
From: Beachville, Ontario
Driveshaft Length
Thanks for the suggestion but 250-300 is too expensive for me. I'm hoping to find a drive shaft with the right yoke that is about 70 inches long (C6 drive shaft is 68.50 inches, AOD is about 1.50 inches shorter than C6) and I want to know if any Ford trucks had one that length. I'd go to the boneyards today but its raining and muddy 
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 3
Driveshaft Length
Remember, time is $, and searching can take time, LOTS, and you may still end up dishin out the cash, especially when you consider installing new joints in your junkyard shaft and praying the slip joint is still tight. The last shaft I had rebuilt (new slip joint and two universals) cost me $180. Good luck!!
Nathan
Nathan
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
Driveshaft Length
Be careful about the legnth of a drive shaft compared to the size of the tubing, if you have one custom built....Factory shafts are far more balanced than just about any aftermarket builder can reproduce ! I work for a driveline shop & the longest shaft that we are "supposed" to build out of 3" tubing is around 60" center to center of the u-joint & balanced. To get into the 70" range, 3-1/2" tubing & balanced is just cuttin' it ! The maximum speed of the driveshaft is known as "critical speed". That is the point where the driveshaft could just self destruct because it is spinning too fast. What ever you do, don't drive the truck at the speed at which you feel driveshaft vibes or you could have a serious accident. By the way, it is the same price or sometimes cheaper to have a new shaft built then having to re-tube a shaft to make it longer while re-using the original weld yokes.....that isn't including the trans slip yoke.
Phil
Phil
