Competition Custom built rear driveshaft questions.

[BILLVO]

I am in the process of having a new 1 piece driveline built to replace the 2 piece. I want it to be bullet proof and was wondering what tubing size people are using. From talking to the driveline shop I have a few options. 3. 5 and 4 inch in . 085 and . 093 wall thickness. In 3. 5 . 085 I am a bit to long for this to work so that is probably out.



I have gone to all 1480 series joints and yokes but had to order a slip yoke from Haisley for the 241 transfercase to a 1480 joint as nobody else builds them that I could find. They said they build there shafts from . 093 tubing but I forgot to ask what diameter they use 3. 5 or 4 inch.



Any input on the subject is welcome as I have a few days before the slipyoke shows up.



I don't want it to get to heavy either. driveline shop said 4 inch by . 085 tubing would be close to same weight as factory shaft.

 

[LostTrucker]

A buddy of mine had a one piece driveline made for his Ford, they made it out of 4'' tubing:-laf I don't know the thickness. It looks cool, because the pickup has 8'' lift with 37''s. He says there is no more driveline vibration under full throttle, pulling a trailer.

 

[JGheen]

I would stick with the 2 piece shaft set-up especially if it is a daily driver. I have heard of too many stories of serious vibrations with one-piece shafts. There is a reason these trucks were designed with 2 piece rear driveshafts.

I am surprised you actually found a shop that would make you a one piece that is long enough. Most shops will not make a one piece over 70", or at least that is the consensous out here. I had a nice 2 piece made up for my 1480 conversion and it has held up well so far. I think I only paid $700 for the whole thing, even with a new carrier bearing as well.



Joe

 

[BILLVO]

From talking to them with their driveline tubing spec book in hand the only tubing that isn't recommended for more than 66 inches is the 3. 5 inch . 085 tubing.



The 4 inch . 085 and 4 inch . 093 tubing are good in longer lengths. I used to work for this company and they have a newer state of the art dynamic balancing machine. They can spin them up to what ever it needs to be balanced at.

 

[glhs]

I see some new Dodges and Chevys have 1 piece 6" diameter . 085 aluminum shafts up to 82" long with 1485 AAM joints.

Found a shop here locally that can build 5" aluminum . 120 wall with 1410 spicer joints.

 

[BILLVO]

Just came back from driveline shop, dropped off the Haisley slip yoke and am going with a 4 inch by . 095 tubing driveline. The old suburbans have 82 inch driveshafts so our 70 inchers are nothing special according to them.

 

[Bobcat698]

I run a 4" x . 120 thick drive shaft on my ex cab long box. Speeds to 120MPH are fine, no vibration.

 

[GOT-Torque]

I went with a 4" in 0. 095" I believe...

 

[Highfinance97]

Mine is 4" X . 093"

1550 in the rear and 1480 at the T-case



Michael