single vs 2-pc driveshaft

[Elpresidente]

My two questions are 1) What's the point in a 2-piece driveshaft? and 2) is there any advantage/disadvantage with this design?

[Irish_Alley]

idk i hear they are on heavy halfs but why aint they on all 1 tons but then you see semi's with them

[zieg85]

Great ?...  I know the short tail shaft TH 350 and standard 3 speed column shift trucks were the same length and had 2 piece.  The 700R4 and Long tail shaft TH350 had the single piece in the 1/2 tons I have had.

[Da67goatman]

I would imagine that a single piece would yield the best driveshaft angles, while a multi piece would cover a greater distance between tailshaft and pinion.

[78 Chevyrado]

two-piece driveshafts are stronger and more stable.    A one piece driveshaft in a longbed with a heavy load is more prone to whipping (think: jump-rope).  you can get a larger diameter pipe for the shaft and make a long one that will be more stable with heavy loads.  I've seen on the newer HD trucks, some (maybe all, who knows) have one piece aluminum driveshafts, but they look like they're made out of 4" or 5" diameter pipe.

[VileZambonie]

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=10814.15