drive shaft

[johncarter0488]

I am restoring a 78 CJ5 and have a little concern. So i took off the body lift and put on a 4 inch rough country lift kit. My CJ at the moment does not have the body on so the suspension is pretty much unloaded, even sitting on the ground. I put everything on, following directions to the T and guess what- driveshaft is 1/4 short. Now, i understand that once everything is back on the jeep it should reach. What im worried about or dont understand is that- if my suspension for whatever reason became fully unloaded, isnt that going to create some problems? I called rough country and they said not to worry about it. I have the stock spicer 20 Tcase lowered and my AMC axle pinion angle has 8 degree shims in. Does this sound funny to anyone? Thanks, FNG.

 

[CJim7]

Wait and see where you are once you get the full weight of the body back on. Just for kicks, measure from a fixed point on the frame to the ground before and after you have the body put on. Because curiosity needs to know the difference

You shouldn't need to do anything with the drivelines with a 4" lift, but if for some reason you do, it's not difficult or expensive to have a shop lengthen your driveline.

A CJ5 has a much shorter driveline than my 7, but I had to drop my xfercase when I installed 4" springs....didn't need the shims. You may need both.

 

[johncarter0488]

yea without the shims and the tcase drop the driveshaft binded bad. but of course that is without the body on. Good idea on the measurement, will do that. Lets just say i never fully unload the suspension, somehow. what happens when i lift the back up to change tire or whatever. All that weight is going to be on the driveshaft ujoints? Its got my little brain all kinds of worried.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

The '5' has a pretty short rear DS in it's stock form. The lift your speaking of may well require new DS for both the front and rear even more so, if you don't 'drop' the tranny skidplate
Look at a double cardan joint for the rear.
Jeep Parts, Jeep Accessories & Jeep Soft Tops From The Jeep Parts Experts - Quadratec
LG

 

[Neuner]

Look at a double cardan joint for the rear.
Jeep Parts, Jeep Accessories & Jeep Soft Tops From The Jeep Parts Experts - Quadratec
LG

 

[CJim7]

Has anybody tried using an XJ or a Bronco double cardan driveline fit to length?
It used to be a popular mod on CJ's with the Dana 300 as the yoke would bolt up and it was way cheaper (albeit not as strong) than a Tom Woods.

I don't know about the 20 bolting up....

 

[Dolamite]

I put everything on, following directions to the T and guess what- driveshaft is 1/4 short.

I ran into the same issue on my RC lift installation for my CJ5 . I ended up taking my driveshaft into a local shop that specialized in driveshafts and differentials and had them lengthen the driveshaft about an 1" (can't remember the exact amount). I think it cost me around $100.

 

[Posi]

Has anybody tried using an XJ or a Bronco double cardan driveline fit to length?

Yes, Bronco on the rear with a 300/60. The Bronco shaft is thicker walled then the XJ shaft.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

May I ask from what version of the Bronco?
LG

 

[Posi]

I saw bronco posted and typed the same when I ment to say Ford Explorer. It was an early 90s front shaft.

 

[Posi]

I picked up this front explorer shaft for $20 at the boneyard to use in the rear. Had a few inches added to make it 33.5” for my CJ5 .5



1310 joints at the CV end, and a conversion joint on the other end.
The stock shaft is 2" diameter .120 wall and has a 2.5 stroke.
I added some length and 4.5 stroke.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

OH-OK, no worries
LG