2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Aluminum Driveshaft

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I was a little surprised to find an aluminum driveshaft when I looked under my '98 for the first time. It's pretty large (I'd say 5" dia) and is 1 piece since it's the shorter wheelbase (shortbed Club Cab).



Just curious if aluminum driveshafts are normal fare for short wheelbase automatics. Since I'm not planning on turning up the power a bunch I assume it can handle it.



Vaughn

 

[Forrest Nearing]

my 98 quad/short 2wd auto has an aluminum driveshaft...



when the D80 goes in, I'm going to a 2 piece steel shaft

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Just curious Forrest, anything wrong with your D70? I'm looking for a good unit with working LSD (driving a 1-legger right now). Looks like we're both proud owners of weakling stockamatic '98 12v shortys

 

[Forrest Nearing]

mine's a 3. 54 limited slip... I think it's whining a little... but when I bought the truck, I was already planning a disk brake D80 swap, so it didn't bother me.



when the D70 comes out, it's going to the first bidder :-laf



if you just need the diff, make me a decent offer, and it's yours

 

[Patriot Blue Megacab]

I wouldnt worry about it,I know it seems odd. But I work on one of the biggest HELO,S made and we have aluminum drive shafts,with 2 turbine engines going through them.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

aluminum driveshafts can be made plenty strong, but I've got to assume there's a reason they didn't put one behind a 6sp... if they DID, I'm assuming it would have been bigger than the one they put behind the auto.

 

[navyjoe]

Forrest, You really got my attention when you mentioned the "planning a disk brake D80 swap". Isn't the D80 a 3500 rear end? I have a 98 and I would love to put a 3500 rear end in it and would especially like the disk brakes. Have you done it yet?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

5sp and 6sp trucks got the D80... (it's actually a D80 center w/ D70 axles/hubs)



I've got one sitting in the garage, I just haven't had the time to install it... complete w/ the master cylinder/resovoir/prop valve, etc.

 

[navyjoe]

My truck is an automatic. would I have a driveshaft conflict or would I just have to get one from a truck that had an automatic. Also what is the rotor diameter on the new trucks?

 

[JApol]

Hey Vaughn, that aluminum drive shaft isn't going to help this winter when we go snowboarding again.