304/T-176 front driveshaft measurement

[bhagarty]

My name is Brian. I am new to writing on this forum but have been reading it a lot for the last few months. It is truly amazing the amount of information that is available through you guys.
I bought a 1974 CJ5 . It has the AMC 304 V8 and from what I have read on here it has a Dana 300 Transfer Case along with the T-176 (maybe t177) Transmission . I bought it after the frame was totally re-done and the body repainted but all of the parts were scattered (and missing) everywhere. The rear drive shaft went right on and the angles seemed to check out good. The font drive shaft that was given to me is approx. 6" to short. I assume this is because of the conversion to the 4 speed Transmission and the Dana 300 Transfer Case . Can anybody help with getting the correct front drive shaft?

 

[Petescj]

If Im reading everything correctly the collapsed length of your front driveshaft should be right about 29.5". Thats what they used from the factory with the AMC 304 / T-176 in the 80's. Collapse the one you have now and see if by adding your 6" measurment if 29.5" seems right.

 

[bhagarty]

Thank you very much for replying so quickly. When I collapse the DS that I have now it measures approx. 27.5 inches when measured from end to end. I also has some old writing on it that says 1984 S-10 so I am assuming the PO was trying to get a correct shaft before he quit the project and sold it t me.

 

[Petescj]

Make sure the driveshaft is fully collapsed. You may just want to stand it upright and put your body wieght on it. When you measure the length of a driveshaft it is from the center of the Ujoint to center of the Ujoint. If no Ujoints just center hole to center hole.

 

[bhagarty]

Center to center measures 26.25". I pushed together as hard as possible, extends very easily but hits a dead stop when collapsing at 26.25".

 

[bhagarty]

I just measured (as closely as possible) and it looks as though I need 31.75". Does that sound correct to you?

 

[Petescj]

Is the Jeep lifted? Are the engine and Transmission bolted together and in place where they should be or is everything loosely together? Is the Transmission skid plate installed?

 

[bhagarty]

I was told that it has a 2" lift. I engine, Transmission and skid plate are all bolted and in place.

 

[Petescj]

Brian I want you to get the best information possible. Im going off of measurements for the 80's Cjs cause they came with the AMC 304 / T-176 combo. Our measurements are over 2" off and that concerns me.


Id like to retitle and move this thread to our drivetrains section where more members will see it. There are alot of great people who are more knowlegable than me that will chime in. BusaDave has some great info on measuring for driveshafts.

I'll retitle it "AMC 304 /T-176 front driveshaft measurement" ok?

 

[bhagarty]

Perfect. I have a lot to learn about using this forum.
Thank you

 

[Petescj]

Perfect. I have a lot to learn about using this forum.
Thank you

Its all good. If you put your questions in the right spots you'll get more replies and better info. Not alot of members look in the Introduction section. Give me a few moments and you'll see this thread under the Drivetrains forum withthis title:


AMC 304 /T-176 front driveshaft measurement