Aluminum Driveshaft
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Elder User
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From: Mandeville, La
Aluminum Driveshaft
Just a curiosity. My 06 150' wb crew has an aluminum driveshaft. My dads 04 sc has a steel drive shaft.
Any body have any info why they went to the aluminum unit? Same rear in both trucks (3.55 and LS). I have 18's, his 17's and mine is 4x4, his 4x2.
Any thoughts?
It is a one piece DS, in the event that anyone is interested.
Any body have any info why they went to the aluminum unit? Same rear in both trucks (3.55 and LS). I have 18's, his 17's and mine is 4x4, his 4x2.
Any thoughts?
It is a one piece DS, in the event that anyone is interested.
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From: Mandeville, La
Magnets do not stick. I checked it this morning.
It is indeed aluminum. Here is a pic from my camera phone.
Now remember, this is the 150 inch WB crew 4x4. Not as many of those around. My dad's is a scab 6.5 bed. Not sure of the WB. Both definately have the same rear, 3.55 LS.
It is indeed aluminum. Here is a pic from my camera phone.
Now remember, this is the 150 inch WB crew 4x4. Not as many of those around. My dad's is a scab 6.5 bed. Not sure of the WB. Both definately have the same rear, 3.55 LS.
Last edited by hllon4whls; May 28, 2006 at 10:24 AM.
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From: In my House
Hllonwheels, how many miles do you have so far? Curious to see if the alum driveshaft makes a difference. You won't get the driveshaft "whip" you would get from a steel one. I am suprised Ford didn't try and go with a 2piece one with the center carrier bearing like in prior models. My 95 F250 has it, and so did my buddy's 79 
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From: Redford,Michigan
Depending on the wheel base and the drive (4x4 or 4x2) some of the trucks do come in a two piece with a center bearing. The one piece (if it's a long shaft) will be aluminum most of the time. I still have not sat back and tried to figure out which trucks get whatever shaft, maybe when I get back to line I'll try and figure it out.
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From: Mandeville, La
Originally Posted by 96f150
Hllonwheels, how many miles do you have so far? Curious to see if the alum driveshaft makes a difference. You won't get the driveshaft "whip" you would get from a steel one. I am suprised Ford didn't try and go with a 2piece one with the center carrier bearing like in prior models. My 95 F250 has it, and so did my buddy's 79
I had an 02 250 scab, lb. It had a 1 piece shaft in it. I dont know when ford decides to use a 2 piece shaft. Since I have the longest 150 they make, it seems that they dont use a 2 piece in a 150. Unless they would use it in the 2wd version of the 150 inch wb since the DS would be longer with out the transfer case.
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Originally Posted by hllon4whls
I had an 02 250 scab, lb. It had a 1 piece shaft in it. I dont know when ford decides to use a 2 piece shaft. Since I have the longest 150 they make, it seems that they dont use a 2 piece in a 150. Unless they would use it in the 2wd version of the 150 inch wb since the DS would be longer with out the transfer case.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Sand Dune, CA
i had a custom steel driveshaft made for my '04 F-150 Crew Cab FX4 (60K miles) to replace the non-serviceable steel OEM driveshaft. Cost? About 400 dollars. I did have an option to go with an aluminum driveshaft for about 600 dollars. I went with a custom shaft for 2 reasons. One, i had worn u-joints. Two, because of my lift kit, my OEM driveshaft was 1 inch too short.
In my opinion, i thinks fords decision to go aluminum is to fix several problems with the old shaft.
1) vibration problems. From day one, Ford has replaced contless driveshafts.
2) non-serviceable. if a u-joint becomes worn and sloppy, like in my case, you have to replace the whole driveshaft. I am assuming the new aluminum "shaft" is servicable.
3) With aluminum, you can go to larger diameter "shaft" and still be less weight than steel. With less weight (less rotating mass) the drivetrain can accelerate quicker with less horsepower. Thus, better performance and better MPG. (I'd like to see the hard numbers on this.)
4) the larger diameter shaft can handle more torque.
In my opinion, i thinks fords decision to go aluminum is to fix several problems with the old shaft.
1) vibration problems. From day one, Ford has replaced contless driveshafts.
2) non-serviceable. if a u-joint becomes worn and sloppy, like in my case, you have to replace the whole driveshaft. I am assuming the new aluminum "shaft" is servicable.
3) With aluminum, you can go to larger diameter "shaft" and still be less weight than steel. With less weight (less rotating mass) the drivetrain can accelerate quicker with less horsepower. Thus, better performance and better MPG. (I'd like to see the hard numbers on this.)
4) the larger diameter shaft can handle more torque.
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not true about the aluminum drive , I have an '01 f150 supercab sb with aluminum driveshaft & i can't get rid of the vibration that i have w/aluminum drive shaft.it's been replaced ,new u-joints installed,new shocks & new rear tires.this must be one of those ford (fix or repair daily ) problems with these ford trucks(f150's). my vibration is at around 60- 65mph +
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From: Brentwood,CA
Originally Posted by hllon4whls
Magnets do not stick. I checked it this morning.
It is indeed aluminum. Here is a pic from my camera phone.
Now remember, this is the 150 inch WB crew 4x4. Not as many of those around. My dad's is a scab 6.5 bed. Not sure of the WB. Both definately have the same rear, 3.55 LS.
It is indeed aluminum. Here is a pic from my camera phone.
Now remember, this is the 150 inch WB crew 4x4. Not as many of those around. My dad's is a scab 6.5 bed. Not sure of the WB. Both definately have the same rear, 3.55 LS.