2 part drive shaft
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Most older long beds had two pieces shafts. It has to do with diameter and length of shaft. I talked to driveshaft shop about this once years back. Notice that the size is pretty small(like 2"). It would take a 4"+ pipe to make it go that far and not whip itself to death! Too expensive for Ford I guess?? So, they made it two piece? Not really sure of the reason behind it.
I know the newer 1980+ somethings had one piece, but the tailshaft of tranny was extra long to make up the difference. Maybe that was the interchange system now? The old days you just made the front half the length difference, now they made the tranny fit?
I know the newer 1980+ somethings had one piece, but the tailshaft of tranny was extra long to make up the difference. Maybe that was the interchange system now? The old days you just made the front half the length difference, now they made the tranny fit?
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
I have made them before, problems are lining up the yokes then you better be a good welder, tig is my suggestion then if its over 4' long you better balance it by welding a weight on the lower end. Another thing to think about is if the shaft is to long it will bind the rear of the trans when you go over a bump if to short the yoke can come out of the tranny.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
bs, You need to have a driveshaft shop build it for you because it has to be balanced. I am speculating here, but I think the tranny tails did not slip on the older trucks, and one was built in on the center connection. There is a lot of travel under there and a slip joint is required.
When I converted my truck to C6, I went to a one piece ds. I think it cost about $125.00 to have one made. No problems so far in 27,000 miles.
hope you get one worked in.
John
When I converted my truck to C6, I went to a one piece ds. I think it cost about $125.00 to have one made. No problems so far in 27,000 miles.
hope you get one worked in.
John
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas
$125.00 to build a drive shaft? It would cost that much where I live to have your U joints changed out! Auto trans has a slip yoke at the tranny As far as balance all that is is adding or removing metal like you do for your lawnmore blade. But if you can get it done for that price I would go for it. Ask jowilker where his shop is and contract them to do it for you!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Ya, I pay over $250 for the big shaft I had in race car(near 4" diameter).
Balancing a driveshaft entails spotwelding small weights on the needed area. Grinding on the shaft is not something I would do!
Balancing a driveshaft entails spotwelding small weights on the needed area. Grinding on the shaft is not something I would do!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
My c6 came off a '72 lwb f250, 360. It had a short tail stock with a flanged d/s connection. The d/s was 2 piece with the slip yoke between the two pieces like JOW said. I had a long tail piece installed on the tranny before I put it in my '68 swb F-100, 360, with my old single piece d/s shortened and balanced to fit.
Dan B
Dan B