Rear Driveshaft Length Question

[BillyFry4x4]

I'm sitting at about 3-4 inches of lift and was curious if I could get away with using a rear driveshaft that's about an inch or an inch and a half longer than stock? Trying to find a driveshaft for my 4wd conversion, and I have one from an s10 blazer available to me right now.

[skidoo_j]

with 3" of lift you should be fine with a stock length shaft matching your drive train.  If you really wanted to get specific it should be 1/2" longer based on the fact that most need one 1" longer for an SOA (6" net lift)   

 

in the diy section there is a list of driveline lengths based on drive-train set up from stock. I put the link on this line if you needed it  

[mvusse]

When I was 6.5" over stock height, I needed a main tube on my shaft 1" longer than the original, but I also had a different, and 1/2" longer, slip yoke on it, and had swapped in an axle with a 1" longer nose. So with the original axle and yoke I would have needed 2.5".

 

With 3" lift you could use one a bit longer, but stock length should work fine. Best thing to do, though, would be to do the swap, them measure what you need. Only fool proof way to be sure.

[BillyFry4x4]

When I was 6.5" over stock height, I needed a main tube on my shaft 1" longer than the original, but I also had a different, and 1/2" longer, slip yoke on it, and had swapped in an axle with a 1" longer nose. So with the original axle and yoke I would have needed 2.5".

 

With 3" lift you could use one a bit longer, but stock length should work fine. Best thing to do, though, would be to do the swap, them measure what you need. Only fool proof way to be sure.

What's the best way to measure that?

[skidoo_j]

Tom Woods directions to measure:  http://4xshaft.com/MeasuringGuide.pdf

 

you could call them once you have that measurement and ask them what they'd suggest for a drive shaft length.  They seem to know their jeeps pretty well.  

[BillyFry4x4]

Tom Woods directions to measure:  http://4xshaft.com/MeasuringGuide.pdf

 

you could call them once you have that measurement and ask them what they'd suggest for a drive shaft length.  They seem to know their jeeps pretty well.  

 

thank you!

[BillyFry4x4]

Out of curiosity, according to this, a cherokee wheelbase is 11.6" shorter than a swb mj. Does this mean the driveshaft would also be 11.6" shorter as long as the motor/trans/trans case/rear end are the same?

[mvusse]

Should be, or close to it. I don't know if the rear axle is at the same height relative to the transmission/transfer case.