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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 12:10:08 am

Title: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 12:10:08 am

Hello everyone,
  I have an 87 chevy 1ton p/u, with the small 8. We just bought it for 500.00 cash and it runs. One of my questions is My truck has the 3 drive shaft system now. I would like to goto the 1 solid drive shaft. Can I do this? Will it handle daily driving?  ???

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: VileZambonie on October 16, 2009, 04:34:04 am

Yes you'll need a driveshaft with a slip yoke though and make sure your pinion angle is correct.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: 1HI4x4 on October 16, 2009, 07:08:04 am

The guys I use for driveshafts(Republic Diesel) Claim that anything over 75" is hard to get balanced, so you may want to check the length that you would need. I couldn't use a one piece in mine, as bad as I wanted to.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 10:14:54 am

I am not sure if it is more then 75" or not. I will measure it in a moment. I appreciate it. Well 1 shaft would be alot easier. 

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 10:41:39 am

I am not sure if I measured the drive shaft in the right place or not. I measure it from center yoke to center yoke. came up with 73". if I need to go any further then that on it, I am guessing it is too long to put 1 solid drive shaft.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: 1HI4x4 on October 16, 2009, 11:13:20 am

I would call the guys that will be making your driveshaft and see what their opinion is on it. Your right on the line.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 11:25:33 am

I appreciate that. What would I need to do to change to a 2 part drive shaft from the 3? Since my hopes for 1 shaft seems to be gone. My guy says if I want a single drive shaft, I need to goto the short bed frame or step side.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 11:27:42 am

I like the long bed.  ;D. To me it is beefy.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: Donut on October 16, 2009, 11:39:10 am

Is there a reason for wanting a 1 pc. shaft?  I'm curious.  edumatcate me please.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 11:55:03 am

Well I heard the 1 shaft system was alot better. Easier so to speak. Ok, I am wanting to eventually beef this thing up and I have heard bad things about drive shaft breaking.. So I guess I was under the impression 1 was sturdier. Is this right? I did not even ask the guy who does the drive shafts. My wife actually talked to him.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: Captkaos on October 16, 2009, 01:30:17 pm

2 piece driveshafts are stronger.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 01:50:37 pm

Thank you for that.  so I should lose the 3 shaft system I now got right?

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: 1HI4x4 on October 16, 2009, 01:54:40 pm

A two piece is fairly easy, just a mid shaft bearing that would require a solid mounting point. That's what I have and I dropped the mid-shaft bearing about 4" to help with my alignment. Just keep the section of your driveshaft that has the slip joint in it, and lengthen or shorten the solid shaft.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 02:00:51 pm

so would I need to get a new center bearing.  or i get 2 new drive shafts that connect with a support in the middle?

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 16, 2009, 02:07:27 pm

Well that was a crazy question. I will get with the people making it, when it is time.. for now the 3 is working amazingly.. LOL. but when I finally upgrade Iwanted to be sure which was best.. I appreciate all the advice.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: malibu795 on October 17, 2009, 11:12:04 am

why is there a 3 piece DS in RCLB truck..
they drive shaft on my 75 RCLB is 59" long.. IMO not enough room to run a 2 peice
this is out of my 02 CCLB truck is ~106" long
(http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/50/l_cd285969bd984461b8f267501ed946cb.jpg)

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 17, 2009, 11:34:10 am

WOW, NOW THAT IS A LONG DRIVE SHAFT. LOL I SHOULD HOLD OFF ON REPLACING THE DRIVE SHAFT TILL I LIFT THE TRUCK. I WILL PROBRABLY REPLACE THE REAR END AT THE SAME TIME.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: malibu795 on October 18, 2009, 05:08:37 pm

i would like to see pictures of said 3 peice drive shaft...

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 18, 2009, 07:43:32 pm

MALIBU, I WILL TAKE A PIC TOMORROW. IT IS 2 GOOD SIZE SHAFTS WITH A MIDDLE ONE BEING SHORT, LITTLE THING.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 19, 2009, 12:23:03 pm

Malibu, Here is my drive shaft in the 3 piece section.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: malibu795 on October 19, 2009, 05:14:19 pm

that looks like a std 2 piece to me.. ???  similar to what i posted but shorter...

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: VileZambonie on October 19, 2009, 05:32:17 pm

That's a 2 piece with slip yoke.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: Captkaos on October 19, 2009, 08:36:23 pm

Ditto, that is a 2 piece driveshaft.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: JOKER on October 20, 2009, 11:03:16 am

Ithought it was a 3 piece. It comes apart in 3 pieces. Man I feel foolish. I thought the 2 piece drive shaft was just that 2 long drive shafts connected.
Sorry bout wasting your time guys.

Title: Re: Wanna change my drive shaft set up.
Post by: malibu795 on October 20, 2009, 04:30:54 pm

hey as long as you learned something  ;)