Oddmodman Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 So why is it that 2wd rear driveshafts are like 5 or 6 inches in diameter and the 4x4s are like 2 1/2? Are they physically stronger? Weaker? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 I know they put something (like rubber) in the ds to keep it from vibrating . Eventually the rubber would come loose and unbalance the shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 ^^ That. It was a rubber sheath wrapped around the 2-1/2" inner drive shaft on the 2WD. That's what happened to mine; the shop could not balance it because the rubber was moving around inside. I had to have a new shaft made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Drive shafts are around $10 at the jy's around here. Buying a thinner one and having of cut is much cheaper than having one built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Drive shafts are around $10 at the jy's around here. Buying a thinner one and having of cut is much cheaper than having one built. This is true, but I wanted a new Tom Wood shaft. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987Comanche Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 So what Driveshaft makes a good donor to work on a SWB 4WD? I was looking for the reason that a lot of shops won't cut down a 2WD d/S and I think I just found it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddmodman Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 I was mostly curious because when I put together my 2.5l MJ and converted it to 4x4, rather than lengthen the too-short XJ shaft, I just had the larger 2x4 shaft cut down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Tom Woods makes some dandy stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 i think also the reason is because the 2wd is longer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 i think also the reason is because the 2wd is longer Good point. I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 My first custom shaft had a main tube from a 2wd Toyota pick up truck that I had shortened. Used the same 1310 joints our Jeeps use. Second one was 3" diameter 3/16" wall DOM tubing custom made. Still ended up bent when I removed it three years later. Current one is a stock front shaft lengthened 17" using 1/4" wall tubing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dando Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Quick question on this subject, does the rubber sheath go the full length of the 2wd driveshaft? And why would the rubber sheath make a driveline shop weary of shortening it? I ask because I need to shorten my 2wd shaft now that I installed my 4wd trans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Quick question on this subject, does the rubber sheath go the full length of the 2wd driveshaft? And why would the rubber sheath make a driveline shop weary of shortening it? I ask because I need to shorten my 2wd shaft now that I installed my 4wd trans You mean wary, yes? The shop will try to shorten it, but may run into problems when they try to balance it. This is what happened to me when I put in the D44 axle and had to have the shaft shortened. The shop couldn't balance it because the rubber stuff was moving around inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dando Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Yes I did mean wary. I guess I am just very curious about this and don't know much (ie nothing) about driveshaft designs. What's the problem with balancing it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I had my ds shortened that came out of my 86 2wd Lb when I converted it to a 95 xj driveline . I had a local ds place shorten it and when he did he took all the rubber out and I've put 75k miles on the truck with no incident . Dando if you need a ds let me know . I have spares . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987Comanche Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Not sure if the local driveline shop will like trying to remove the rubber from the 2WD d/s. Other than a Toyota what's a good donor to have cut down? I was thinking that a 93-00ish Suburban or K1500 d/s would give the shop plenty of meat to start with. S-10s and Blazers are also plentiful in the local Pull-a-Part. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I had a 2wd DS shortened (with rubber left in), after discussion with DS shop it was agreed to shorten from the yoke end. The shop had no problems balancing it and I'm still running it today. I can't tell you how many miles are on it, because it is not a DD, but I've had no problems and I'd say its been on there for maybe five years . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I also had my 2wd shaft shortened. they just cut the non-rubber end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I also had my 2wd shaft shortened. they just cut the non-rubber end. And is that the yoke end or pinion end Pete? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dando Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I also had my 2wd shaft shortened. they just cut the non-rubber end. And is that the yoke end or pinion end Pete? Looking at mine the non rubber end would be the yoke end (transmission side) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroxsteve Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Could a drive shaft shop not just cut both ends off of any drive shaft and replace the complete tube? I know this would cost more but it should be an option. I have had shafts made for heavy equipment like this I'm sure its probably not much different for an automotive application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I also had my 2wd shaft shortened. they just cut the non-rubber end.And is that the yoke end or pinion end Pete? Looking at mine the non rubber end would be the yoke end (transmission side) thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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