One piece drive shaft

[Scooby]

Just turned 72K this morning.

 

[cumminalong]

I also installed my driveshaft on Saturday. I ordered the part from DogHouse Diesel as well... ... It is nice to know that OUTSTANDING customer service is alive and well in some organizations. Thanks Rich!

No problem at all guys.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

You can always reach me on the phone if need be.

We did find something interesting out earlier this week.

If you have and '03 or '04 with the standard output engine and 10. 5 rear end, the driveshaft it too short.

The diff housing is sufficiently smaller that there is isn't enough engagement on the splines.

So, before you decide to order one, please make sure you have the 305 HP motor and 11. 5 rear diff.

If you call up and say you have an '03 or '04, we'll verify it, but if you order on the site, please make sure you have the HO's.

 

[Dieselnerd]

My driveline has started to vibrate a little more than usual. I was under the truck today and sure enough, my center bearing has a little play and one of my U joints has developed a little play as well.



Rather than replace those parts, I just ordered the one piece drive shaft from Doghouse. Rich says it comes complete with U joints and is ready to bolt in so I won't have to buy anything else to get rid of my problems.

 

[Scooby]

I was really careful and deliberate in my installation. If I had the blue locktite the entire job would have taken me about 40 minutes including "clean-up".



BTW I did tow this weekend and my vibes are gone!

 

[seafish]

My driveline has started to vibrate a little more than usual. I was under the truck today and sure enough, my center bearing has a little play and one of my U joints has developed a little play as well.



Rather than replace those parts, I just ordered the one piece drive shaft from Doghouse. Rich says it comes complete with U joints and is ready to bolt in so I won't have to buy anything else to get rid of my problems.

Do you know if it comes with sealed or greasable u-joints??

 

[Dieselnerd]

Do you know if it comes with sealed or greasable u-joints??

Mine won't be here until Wednesday so I can't answer that question. But, since the driveshaft is a Mopar part I'm willing to bet they are sealed.

 

[cumminalong]

The u-joints are sealed.

You can replace them with a Spicer, Precision, or other greaseable joint, but you have to machine . 010" off the end caps for them to fit correctly.

The standard Spicer type joints are just slightly too large to fit correctly.

If someone gets one here at the shop and just REALLY wants the greaseables, we can put the Spicer caps in the mill and take the . 010" off and they're fine.

Because you are extending the distance between the joints by going with the one piece shaft, you cut the operating angle almost in half. This puts a lot less stress on the u-joints and makes the greaseables less necessary.

But, unless you routinely submerge the joints under water, you don't need the greaseables.

 

[seafish]

The u-joints are sealed.



You can replace them with a Spicer, Precision, or other greaseable joint, but you have to machine . 010" off the end caps for them to fit correctly.



The standard Spicer type joints are just slightly too large to fit correctly.



If someone gets one here at the shop and just REALLY wants the greaseables, we can put the Spicer caps in the mill and take the . 010" off and they're fine.



Because you are extending the distance between the joints by going with the one piece shaft, you cut the operating angle almost in half. This puts a lot less stress on the u-joints and makes the greaseables less necessary.



But, unless you routinely submerge the joints under water, you don't need the greaseables.

Thanks for the quick and thourough reply. My center bearing is on its way out on my 2005 G56 QC/LB 4x4... I really want to replace the whole thing with one of these shafts... I think that it is a GREAT idea and I am thankful to all those who are experimenting with it.

 

[Dieselnerd]

My driveshaft came about noon today. Fast delivery from Doghouse! I installed it this afternoon.



As expected, taking out the old parts took a lot longer than installing the new. That old shaft was really heavy compared to the new one.



After I was done I drove about 10 miles on the expressway at 70 mph. Everything was smooth and nothing fell off... :-laf

 

[cumminalong]

My driveshaft came about noon today. Fast delivery from Doghouse! I installed it this afternoon.

As expected, taking out the old parts took a lot longer than installing the new. That old shaft was really heavy compared to the new one.

After I was done I drove about 10 miles on the expressway at 70 mph. Everything was smooth and nothing fell off... :-laf

Glad ya like it.

Same thing that we hear from most folks..... takes longer to get the old one out vs getting the new one in.

Grand total of 4 bolts on the pinion flange, put some blue loc-tite on and tighten them to 85 ft/lbs and you're done.

 

[MFranz]

Cumminalong,

Is anyone putting a one piece drive-shaft on a 2001, 4x4, extra cab,full size bed,1 ton . Is it even technically feasible or is that to long of a span.

Thanks

Mike

 

[cumminalong]

I'm sure it's feasible, shouldn't be any more of a problem than a QC/LB 3rd Gen.

Let me do some measuring tomorrow... . I have an EC/LB 4X4 at the shop. We just sold it, but it's not getting picked up until this weekend and I need to put on the lift anyways.

I can't say we've tried it, but if it's close and only comes down to swapping the pinion flange or the slip yoke, it might be doable.

We have a '68 Camaro to finish up tomorrow morning, but after that I should be able to get to it.

 

[MFranz]

Great,

Thanks for the reply. Let me know if its possible.



Thanks,Mike

 

[Gene Heck]

2nd Gen one piece shaft

MFranz



I had a one piece driveshaft made for my 96 club cab 8 ft bed a couple of years ago (maybe three I just forget right now) eliminating the two piece shaft. No problems whatsoever. My shaft is 77 inches center of cup to center of cup. 4 inch diameter. Drives like a dream. Wouldn't even consider going back to a two piece.





Gene