Hi, We just buttoned up our flathead (59ab) and have our t-5 tranny with a 9 inch rear (63 Pickup 9 inch) ready to go for our 41 1/2 ton and are looking for a drive shaft. Just wondering if anyone else has the same setup and have found a drive shaft that fits right. We figured we have to get one chopped and welded back together. Our tranny is 27 spline.

Thanks

 

I don't have your setup but I have made my own driveshafts with nothing more than a hacksaw and a stick welder. It's a process I've done a number of times.

Look for weights spot welded to the shaft for balancing in the area you want to remove and avoid cutting those off. You can usually cut from either end but if you have a shaft that changes diameter midway through be sure you will have enough length left to weld the end back on after shortening. Remove the U-joints and start by cutting off the welded end on the shaft side of the weld using a hacksaw or if there are balancing weights there cut the other end. What you want to do is cut and turn cut and turn. Make the cut about 1/16 to 1/8 inch deep and then knock the end out of the tube with a hammer. Then cut whatever amount you need off the tube. I always wrap a piece of light straight edge cardboard around the tube and tape it in place to be sure I cut the tube straight. Lay the hacksaw blade right up next the the cardboard and turn and cut turn and cut. When you have the tube the correct length tap the end back into the tube. Be sure to phase it with the other end. Run a bead around the end to weld it back on, re-install new U-joints and you are done. Most of the time the shaft will not require balancing. If it does you can always have a driveline shop balance it for you. I've done about a half dozen of these and have only had to have one balanced...

Good luck.

 

Barnfresh41

I just finished redoing my 41 with a C-4 and a Ford 8" rearend, I had a driveshaft made new, I had the slip yoke for the C-4, and the whole thing ran around $ 175.00 with U-joints and balancing. Not a big deal, Driveline service did mine here, should be a similar service in your area.

 

A good driveline shop can custom make a drive shaft with u-joints and yoke for under 250.00 .