2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 99 4x4 QC 8ft bed , single piece driveshaft?

[BK]

Got a 99 4x4 QC 8ft bed, auto. (basically stock drive train and suspension)



My carrier bearing for the drive shaft is feeling as if it has more play in it has it should. Basically original, about 80K on it... and 11 years.



Really would like to go to a single piece driveshaft,



Seen the GM's go to it, the new Dodges, and some selling after market the single piece for the 03-09 or something like that...



Has anyone done this on a 99 4x4 QC 8ft bed w/ auto?



Anyone selling a set up aftermarket?



I've searched the forum, only a lot of very old threads on it, and never a conclusions of someone really tried it and reporting back.

So figured , might as well ask... .



TIA

 

[Joe Mc]

Mine has original carrier @ 190k smooth as silk, oh it too probably has way more play than it should, but . . . it's working great so why throw money where it's not needed? MHO

 

[BK]

of course I do go by "if it aint broke, then don't fix it" ... . but right now it does have one or two areas of vibration, and it has play... so it's a worn part that needs replacing.
While it's apart and out, I'd replaced the UJ's anyway... .

And as well, the KISS principle is near and dear to my heart, and as I've repaired things in this truck I try to (if it makes sense $ wise) to improve on what's bee there.

A single shaft has one less part, and it's something that has cause headaches for others, and me (I've had some shudder from it before) , so would like to improve on it if I can during it's repair.

 

[Joe Mc]

I hear ya. I've replaced u-joints on mine about 20k ago just because. Since there's some issue and you think it's carrier bearing related I agree. However, I've not heard of anyone going to a single shaft with a LB/QC on our trucks. I'm thinking there may not be enough "slip" with a one piece due to the length. Hopefully someone will chime in that knows the answer, then we'll both know.

 

[BK]

I hear ya, was thinking of that.
In the Jeeps to solve that and to also smooth out the issues of vib on the slip yokes in the output of the TC, aftermarket has a SYE kit, (slip yoke elimination kit), but not seen one for our trucks...
It provides a mounting flange for the output of the TC, and of course the drive shaft has to be modified. .

I would really like a total solution like that...
UJ flange at the TC, one solid DShaft with a mid slip joint.....
Easy to take out the DShaft of it breaks, and get underway with front wheel drive and not loose the TC fluid...

 

[JMcCoy]

. .



I would really like a total solution like that...

UJ flange at the TC, one solid DShaft with a mid slip joint.....

Easy to take out the DShaft of it breaks, and get underway with front wheel drive and not loose the TC fluid...

I would also like this setup. I believe some of the pullers go to that setup, but not sure with the longbed. I do know that some have done the one piece drive shaft when installing an overdrive unit like US Gear or the Gear Venders. Might be a nice excuse Oo. . And the snowball gets even bigger LOL.

 

[BK]

Uhm, they're go... just put a premium on the price of the project... .
Would save me from $$ of installing 4:10' front and rear if I get an underdrive in there. . but wont get lockers out of the deal...

yes my wish list is MUCH bigger than my wallet.

 

[Texis]

I was having some work done at a drive shop shop a couple of years back and ask them about a 1 piece drive shaft. They told me that the lenght was on the edge for a 1 piece, and I would be better off just making sure everything was right and balanced with the OEM set up.



I took their word on it because they could have sold me a new custom built 1 piece... and they passed.

 

[JMcCoy]

Sounds like they might be a good company. Not too many will turn away $$$

 

[Glen Pratt]

I was told the same thing by Nassau Driveshaft here on Long Island. My rear u-joint broke and I had to have the back section of my drive shaft replaced. I asked about a one piece driveshaft and was told they would not to do it due to the length. They advised that the one piece driveshaft would start to have a whipping effect and probably twist. Makes sense.