Ok, guys, I'm sure you have a list of things to do to your trucks as I do...I am in the process of getting ready to drive my truck from AL to VA in a few weeks...got the Engine tuned, Carb, etc, etc. It is a daily driver, so on my list I had to replace the Universal Joints, lube it, brake job, etc, etc, well spend a fun night at the ball park tonight watching the nephews play ball, on the way home, got off the exit to the house, BLAM!!!! Engine would rev, but no pulling power...I immediately thought Transmission (although it is just over a year since rebuild). I let it come to a stop, getting as far up the ramp as possible, go to put it into park, gears grind...so I shut it off, put it in park, starts rolling backwards, hit the E-break, stops, jump out, prepare for the worst, to see my transmission hanging down, etc. Start looking, there is NO DRIVESHAFT...NOTHING. I called the wife to come pick me up and tow me home, less than 2 miles...while I wait, I walk the ramp to find the shaft...GONE! SO my dilemma, Where to purchase a drive shaft? I will try to call some junk yards in the area, but not sure on what they will have....transmission shops? Parts Houses? How much am I looking at for one? The closest pull apart location is about an hour and a half from me...worst case I could try Sat, but not sure what they will have, and would hate to drive that far and they not have what I need....I have a '78 F100 Custom, 2WD, 351W (transplant) with a C6 transmission...when I did the swap the transmission lined up to the same point, were the same lengths, etc...so I just disconnected and reconnected the same shaft...Any recommendations? for what it is worth, both joints (the one coming off the transmission as well as the one coming off the rear axle are fine as far as I can tell.

Would you believe I have the universal joints already, had that on the list to do this weekend....(universal joint - make sure I am correct - the "t" that attaches the drive shaft to the transmission and rear axle)

I am in Central Alabama - Calera to be exact - 35040 - if you know of anyone with one in my area that would be great as well...

 

Ha ha!!! I'm not the only one!!
The exact same thing happened to me back in 2007 between Copperas Cove and Lampassas, Texas!! I was cruising 65MPH when it felt like the earth would split open. Luckily I found my driveshaft, but it was warped big time. I found it about 20 yards off the road in a field, so I'd go to the scene and scope it out harder. I'll bet it's further off the ramp than you thought. If not, measure from the differential yoke to just shy of the tailshaft of your tranny and add about 5 inches for play on the tranny output shaft. Then measure the yoke width and hit some junkyards or your phone book and look for driveshaft shops. Also if you had a 2-piece driveshaft, do yourself a favor and find a 1-piece!!

 

It WAS a single piece...tomorrow is a SUPER busy day, but my plans are to try to squeeze a little time in to go look for it...any one know what a Drive shaft cost? I have a feeling it won't be too usable if I do find it...

 

At a junkyard, maybe $30-$40, depends on how proud of their junk they are. At a driveshaft shop, a few hundred bucks or more easily.

 

Only problem I have with our Junk yards around here...they don't keep track of what they have...and sometimes it requires hours to find any thing resembling Dentsides...

 

I just got a reman driveshaft form a local auto store. They had to call every warehouse in the region, but they found one laying on a shelf somewhere. Cost me about 200 bucks

 

Thanks Edgethis...that is actually comforting...I am planning on buzzing my local parts house later today...they may be my best route, but will also check with the local junk yards, and the pull-a-part...

 

If you don't find one local, there was a swb 76 f100 for sale for cheap on craigslist, bad thing is it is in NJ, but the guy wants to sell it for parts, contact him and maybe he'll pull the d/s and send it to you...worth a shot, too bad it was not a lwb..

 

Off the top of your head, does anyone know the length for the drive shaft for a 78 F100 SWB, with a C6 transmission? I think I might have found one, but am not near my truck to get the measurement for it. There isn't anything special about it, it is a '78 F100 Custom, 2WD, SWB, 351W with a C6 transmission. Thanks guys...

 

Does 53 3/4" from rear axle yoke to the tail shaft yoke??? It was very interesting, and I am still trying to figure it out as well...I stopped by the house (had an early doctor appointment this morning, didn't have time to look this a.m.) and took a peak under the truck...the part that slides in the tail shaft is still there, along with the yoke, no universal "t" joint, then on the rear yoke, same thing, no universal "t" joint, just the yoke...have NO CLUE how it got out, and it never shimmed or shook, just BAM!

 

What is the wheel base of a '78 F100 SWB truck? 139" - If so I have found a Driveshaft....anyone know?

 

Shortbed is 117" and longbed is 133" I believe

 

Thanks Bama...know where I can find a drive shaft? Been looking all day...no luck so far...

 

Several months ago I was at Barrys U pull it in Tillmans corner and there were 5-6 dentsides, I'm sure one could be had there but Mobile would be quite a commute, there arent any dents in the yards there? Search craigslist, might find someone parting out a dentside in your area. One other option is to try a driveline shop, I know there is one here in Mobile, or a local machine shop could fabricate one for you.

 

I did stop by a local junk yard today...nicest way to say it...they weren't the sharpest tools in the shed, and if they weren't interested in what you were looking for...well, you know. Of all the ones they had. 3 dents on their lot, they were all 4 WD, manual, not to mention sitting on the frames...they did have a semi nice one with a good 460 (or so it said on the windshield)...so I am going to look a little further South tomorrow. Talked to a few guys at Church tonight, and got some good leads, will try them tomorrow.