Let's talk custom driveshafts
05-03-2019, 04:55 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Made a trip over to Driveshaft Specialists today and put the truck up on the lift. They liked everything underneath the truck and all the angles and everything. The issue with the stock driveshaft isn't a critical speed issue. The issue is that all the yokes are friction welded. I didn't know that was a thing until after he explained the friction welding process.
For a truck that goes to the strip and launches on slicks or drag radials, the friction welded yokes are the issue as they absolutely will not hold up over time. They're the weak link. So they're building me a two piece 3.5 inch steel driveshaft. $880.....installed.
It will also be more than good enough to do the Texas Mile if I ever wanted, as it should be good to about 185 mph or so...not saying the truck would go that fast of course.
He took all the measurements for a 5" aluminum one piece driveshaft and it's too long...especially with the 4.10 gears, to not encounter a critical speed problem, so that's off the table.
For a truck that goes to the strip and launches on slicks or drag radials, the friction welded yokes are the issue as they absolutely will not hold up over time. They're the weak link. So they're building me a two piece 3.5 inch steel driveshaft. $880.....installed.
It will also be more than good enough to do the Texas Mile if I ever wanted, as it should be good to about 185 mph or so...not saying the truck would go that fast of course.
He took all the measurements for a 5" aluminum one piece driveshaft and it's too long...especially with the 4.10 gears, to not encounter a critical speed problem, so that's off the table.
05-03-2019, 06:12 PM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I've been acquainted with one of the guys that works there for over 40 years. I used to see him back in the late 70's when we used to street race on IH37 south of SW Military drive. He's been building driveshafts for probably 40 years or more.
Anyway I'll feel better knowing there's no drive train issues that will cause a safety concern.
Anyway I'll feel better knowing there's no drive train issues that will cause a safety concern.
05-03-2019, 09:04 PM
#24
Made a trip over to Driveshaft Specialists today and put the truck up on the lift. They liked everything underneath the truck and all the angles and everything. The issue with the stock driveshaft isn't a critical speed issue. The issue is that all the yokes are friction welded. I didn't know that was a thing until after he explained the friction welding process.
For a truck that goes to the strip and launches on slicks or drag radials, the friction welded yokes are the issue as they absolutely will not hold up over time. They're the weak link. So they're building me a two piece 3.5 inch steel driveshaft. $880.....installed.
It will also be more than good enough to do the Texas Mile if I ever wanted, as it should be good to about 185 mph or so...not saying the truck would go that fast of course.
He took all the measurements for a 5" aluminum one piece driveshaft and it's too long...especially with the 4.10 gears, to not encounter a critical speed problem, so that's off the table.
For a truck that goes to the strip and launches on slicks or drag radials, the friction welded yokes are the issue as they absolutely will not hold up over time. They're the weak link. So they're building me a two piece 3.5 inch steel driveshaft. $880.....installed.
It will also be more than good enough to do the Texas Mile if I ever wanted, as it should be good to about 185 mph or so...not saying the truck would go that fast of course.
He took all the measurements for a 5" aluminum one piece driveshaft and it's too long...especially with the 4.10 gears, to not encounter a critical speed problem, so that's off the table.
05-03-2019, 09:52 PM
#25
Originally Posted by rojizostang
Made a trip over to Driveshaft Specialists today and put the truck up on the lift. They liked everything underneath the truck and all the angles and everything. The issue with the stock driveshaft isn't a critical speed issue. The issue is that all the yokes are friction welded. I didn't know that was a thing until after he explained the friction welding process.
For a truck that goes to the strip and launches on slicks or drag radials, the friction welded yokes are the issue as they absolutely will not hold up over time. They're the weak link. So they're building me a two piece 3.5 inch steel driveshaft. $880.....installed.
It will also be more than good enough to do the Texas Mile if I ever wanted, as it should be good to about 185 mph or so...not saying the truck would go that fast of course.
He took all the measurements for a 5" aluminum one piece driveshaft and it's too long...especially with the 4.10 gears, to not encounter a critical speed problem, so that's off the table.
For a truck that goes to the strip and launches on slicks or drag radials, the friction welded yokes are the issue as they absolutely will not hold up over time. They're the weak link. So they're building me a two piece 3.5 inch steel driveshaft. $880.....installed.
It will also be more than good enough to do the Texas Mile if I ever wanted, as it should be good to about 185 mph or so...not saying the truck would go that fast of course.
He took all the measurements for a 5" aluminum one piece driveshaft and it's too long...especially with the 4.10 gears, to not encounter a critical speed problem, so that's off the table.
05-03-2019, 10:03 PM
#26
Senior Member
I have a quote from them a while back. Very easy guys to work with.
05-03-2019, 10:46 PM
#27
Originally Posted by Ecks
They have a form you can fill out with measurements. Fill it out, send it to them, and they will build and ship you a driveshaft.
I have a quote from them a while back. Very easy guys to work with.
I have a quote from them a while back. Very easy guys to work with.
05-03-2019, 10:49 PM
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
BTW, on the 6r80, a weak point is the tail shaft bearing. He showed me the slack at the tail shaft in mine and there is definitely more play than expected. It isn't an issue with having lowered the truck, it seems to be an inherent problem with that transmission. If you get a deceleration vibration, check your tail shaft bearing. I don't have a deceleration vibe..,,,yet, but I should expect one at some point. He was saying a lot of the drive line vibe clunks that people post about on YouTube is many times a sloppy bearing. FWIW.
05-03-2019, 11:28 PM
#29
Originally Posted by rojizostang
yes absolutely. They ship driveshafts all over the world
btw, on the 6r80, a weak point is the tail shaft bearing. He showed me the slack at the tail shaft in mine and there is definitely more play than expected. It isn't an issue with having lowered the truck, it seems to be an inherent problem with that transmission. If you get a deceleration vibration, check your tail shaft bearing. I don't have a deceleration vibe..,,,yet, but i should expect one at some point. He was saying a lot of the drive line vibe clunks that people post about on youtube is many times a sloppy bearing. Fwiw.
btw, on the 6r80, a weak point is the tail shaft bearing. He showed me the slack at the tail shaft in mine and there is definitely more play than expected. It isn't an issue with having lowered the truck, it seems to be an inherent problem with that transmission. If you get a deceleration vibration, check your tail shaft bearing. I don't have a deceleration vibe..,,,yet, but i should expect one at some point. He was saying a lot of the drive line vibe clunks that people post about on youtube is many times a sloppy bearing. Fwiw.
11-27-2019, 08:55 PM
#30
Had been putting this off for a while now. Finally got this done today. Very happy with it so far. Drove smooth with zero vibrations.
5" x 0.125" aluminum 1-piece. 32 spline slip yoke and Spicer 1350X u-joints.
Was extended slightly to compensate for my lift. 69-15/16" center to center of u-joints.
5" x 0.125" aluminum 1-piece. 32 spline slip yoke and Spicer 1350X u-joints.
Was extended slightly to compensate for my lift. 69-15/16" center to center of u-joints.