Lift Kit-Front Drive Line Problems
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
Lift Kit-Front Drive Line Problems
I just installed a 6" Skyjacker lift kit on my 79 F350. (I will post photos and my story later)
Problem is the front drive line seems like its binding on the U Joints and doesn't move beyond a 180 degree drive line rotation. It looks like the angle might be to much for the U Joints to tolerate. When I installed the front springs the instructions said to install the "Short End towards the front of the vehicle." So I measured from the locking pin on the spring to the middle of the shackle area. One end was 2" longer than the other so I installed the springs so that the short side was on the front. Looking at the finished work the front wheel sits dead center in the wheel well.
Do I have the springs on backwards or do I need a CV Joint for the front drive line? I already know that I will need to extend the front drive line because I have not enough of the spline in the shaft.
Help!
Problem is the front drive line seems like its binding on the U Joints and doesn't move beyond a 180 degree drive line rotation. It looks like the angle might be to much for the U Joints to tolerate. When I installed the front springs the instructions said to install the "Short End towards the front of the vehicle." So I measured from the locking pin on the spring to the middle of the shackle area. One end was 2" longer than the other so I installed the springs so that the short side was on the front. Looking at the finished work the front wheel sits dead center in the wheel well.
Do I have the springs on backwards or do I need a CV Joint for the front drive line? I already know that I will need to extend the front drive line because I have not enough of the spline in the shaft.
Help!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: near Pittsburgh
If your springs were backward your tires would not be centered in the wheel well. The short side always goes to the fixed frame mount the long side goes to the shackle. You might wanna check your pinnion angle sometimes you have to put a tappered shim under the spring to do away with lower ujoint binding. You should already have a cv style joint on in the front driveshaft up by the t case but the lower joint that mounts to the front diff will bind I think pinnion angles the culpret.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
Thanks for the info Gus11208. I kind of suspected it was the pinion angle. Here are some photos. Let me know what you think.
After the install and road ready.
The front drive line.
This is the completed front end lift except the shocks, Pitman arm and drag link.
After the install and road ready.
The front drive line.
This is the completed front end lift except the shocks, Pitman arm and drag link.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 14
From: phoenix
looks good. one question though 1.is it a skyjacker lift?...if it is the driveline looks fishy . (no offense)as far as that goes i mean i have a skyjacker 6in lift my self on my 78 and your drivshaft looks totally different than mine ... i know they are not all alike but that being said i mean the slip yoked end on mine goes towards the front diff and like was mentioned earlier the double cardan side is towards the t-case. looks like the double cardan end is missing.re read gus's post and then look at the photo and you should see what i mean hope that helps..man thats a super clean truck..
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 14
From: phoenix
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
It looks like someone took a D44 front driveshaft, removed the double cardigan joint and than installed it backwards??? weird
Nice truck though, are you going to get bigger tires?
Nice truck though, are you going to get bigger tires?
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
That angle doesn't seem too bad to me. Definitely need to lengthen that driveshaft. The 79 parts truck I got with a D60 only had single ujoints on it and I dont think the guy ever messed with it. My truck with the D44 had a CV joint on the front driveshaft even though it was a longer shaft.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: near Pittsburgh
I wonder if the78-79 F-250's were the only ones with the cardan joint up by the t case. mabe the F-150 and F-350 had a standard u joint setup. I duno??? but for sure your front drive shaft is backwards. It looks like in the one pic that the u joint cross section is bottoming out against the yoke on the end of the driveshaft. If you turn that shaft around that might fix your problem.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
I also have the same lift and a Dana 60 up front. I had my driveline lengthened ($150) and everything works perfectly. Like everybody has mentioned, the slip yoke should be at the differential. I actually robbed the rear driveline off my 71 Highboy. They have a longer slip yoke and come with a CV. Pinion angle look fine without the use of degree shims.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 226
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My F-150 Supercab has a double cardan.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
I'm having a custom made driveline made with a double cardan joint and a slightly elongated pinion shaft on the transfer case so I will clear the cross member.
OK everybody can stop giggling.
OK everybody can stop giggling.