I have read some forums that said that the driveshafts are different lengths between the auto and manual transmission, others say they are the same. I just bought a 97 cc sb 4x4 460 auto and am going to take my psd and zf5 out of my 95 reg cab 4x4. Does anyone know if the driveshafts will work? Thanks for all your help

 

I would think that the ZF5 driveshafts would be different because the transmission is shorter.

That would make the front shaft shorter and the rear shaft longer... I'm not 100% sure though.

 

The ZF5 is about 1.5" longer, so rear is shorter and front is longer.

 

The ZF is longer than the E4OD???

Every other manual trans I've seen is shorter than automatics. I guess you learn something every day...

 

Yes, I have them sitting side-by-side, ZF is about 1.5" longer.

 

Always there with an answer. Thanks Jim.

 

Which ZF do you have, ZF S5 42 or 47? Are your trannies 2 or 4x4? I don't know if it matters but I'm just trying to find the difference. Mine E4OD is right at 5" longer than my ZF S5 42 with no spacer on either. However, the spacers that were in front of both are axactly the same. Both are 4x4. My skid plate needed to go forward to cover the t case and crossmember HAD to be moved up to even reach the tailhousing. The rear driveshafts layed next to each other showed the auto shorter and manual longer and vice versa for the front driveshaft.
I'm not disagreeing with you. I know you are more than intelligent enough to measure the difference. I've just been racking my brain, comparing stuff, and measured a ton of times to make sure ever since our last discussion about this to try and figure out what is different.

 

If you are going from a reg cab to a crew cab then you will have plenty of driveshaft issues. The reg cab driveshaft willl be shorter. Also if the bed lengths are different thast will affect you also. A reg cab SB has a straight DS and the LB has a carrier bearing. IIRC.

 

There's something I don't think I've seen anyone add during any of these threads, myself included! That's a pretty great point to be made. I used identical trucks, ext cab, 4x4, long bed.

 

My truck is a short bed with an extended cab and has a straight drive shaft.
However a long bed with a regular cab (about the same length truck) it will have a carrier bearing.

Go figure.

 

That's pretty interesting.

 

nothing is ever simple is it? I figured that I would have to have the shafts modified so no real big deal. Im going to put the 460 auto into the reg cab so i will have to get 2 of the 4 modified unless I can find used shafts-the crew cab could be a little harder-not many of those laying around. Thanks for all your help

 

most all the long beds have a carrier bearing in the driveshafts, the rear half of the driveshafts are all the same length, the front half is always the one that is longer or shorter. you can take a front half of driveshaft from a 4-door and it will be inherently longer than what you need, take that to a driveshaft shop and get it shortened fairly cheaply. unless u r handy with a hacksaw and welding machine. cut the front yoke off at the weld clossest to the tranny, cut the shaft to length, hammer the yoke back in the shaft, get it lined up as best u can, weld it up with 7018 muffler rod or even mig it. a buddy with a welding machine or even muffler shop will weld it for u if u get it set up ready to weld. when u get ur yoke set in the shaft to the length u want, put it in the tranny bolt up the front half only, spin it to check for truness, get it true, take it to a welder and get her welded up if the front 4x4 driveshaft can be shortened the same way. a e40d is always longer than a 5 speed all the ones i have ever seen anyways, unless it came from a 1.5 ton truck or something

 

the front driveshaft will fit in whatever truck the tranny came out of just use that one that goes with the tranny, and u will have a rear shaft longer than the other, just cut that one to length, so ur lookin at only modifying one shaft total

 

I know this is an old thread but, hopefully, someone can help me....
Neal, I have a 96 f250, extended cab,SB, 2x4 that has the dual shafts.
The hanger bearing in the middle.
I'm converting this to 4x4, so my front shaft will be too long because of the addition of the transfer case.
I was going to shorten the smaller one, but I can't seem to find anyone who will give me the length's.
I would prefer to go with just one, as yours has, would you mind giving me the length of this shaft.
Never thought you could go with just one shaft.
E40D auto, also.