Ive looked for a while on here for anyone that's done any drive-line work such as upgrading drive-shaft on our rides cant seem to find what I'm looking for. So here's my thought, it's not a big secret that our trucks well Fords in general lose a lot of power throughout there drive-train. Seems like more in ours than that of other but either way not relevant, I have a 97 4x4 lifted all the good stuff and have a couple larger diameter but MUCH lighter drive shafts from newer f150's, anyone experimented with the change ? Or should I Guinea pig it ? Would the savings in the small amount of weight really be worth the hassle ? The way I figure is it would help a noticeable amount but my reasoning may not jive with others so I'm asking for opinions here.

 

If I am not mistaken our trucks have aluminum drive shafts. Those are pretty damn light, they cost around $800 to get a replacement from ford. What are these aftermarket driveshafts made out of that make them lighter then the stock aluminum ones? Just curious because our trucks driveshafts are really light well that is what i have always been told anyways.

 

mines not aluminum... I have an 03 4x4

 

4x4's have steel shafts, aluminum's are out of 2wd's.

 

I just broke my driveshaft last week and I'm having a driveshaft shop make one for me right now. 375$. And it's custom length for my lift and also will b 4in tube that's a thicker grade I can't remember what exactly will post pics and details when I pick it up next Tuesday.

 

Oh alright I have a 2wd I didn't know the 4wd came with steel driveshafts. Does anyone know why that is?

 

Strength, and ground clearence. The stock aluminum driveshafts are 5" where the 4x4 steel shafts are 3.5". Once I lift mine I will be running a 3" chromoly driveshaft. It will be lighter, stronger, and less likely to fail when running heavier tires.

 

To the op, weight of the driveshaft is what we in the racing world call rotating weight. A few pounds in the right places can make a big difference. A lot of the old timers say 10 pounds of rotating weight is like 100 pounds on the car. But that 100 pounds probably doesn't matter as much on a 6000lb truck as a 2000lb racecar.

 

If your shafts are straght and the U joints are good you will gain nothing by changing them And where did you get the redicules idea that a Ford has more drive line power loss than other makes. Unless you are building a bonivile racer or high horse power crawler or bogger save your money because the stock shafts are more than enough. the exception being if the truck is lifted to the point where more length is needed

 

I agree with you completely. The only reason I'm having one built is I broke it mudding last week. And I want one that's stronger and longer (because the lift)