Drive Shaft

[New to the Game]

I am gonna buy a 1981 CJ5 and one of the yokes on one of the drive shafts if broken. Not sure which one or if the current owner has the other drive shaft or not, got to look into that. What I want to know is what type of replacement drive shafts are of good quality but not gonna break the bank. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[JR74CJ5]

I think you'll need to find out what drive train is in it. If it's all stock, shouldn't be a problem...

Find out if it's the front or rear, then start checking online for best pricing...

First google search for "Driveshafts for 81 CJ" brought up Quadratec's site, although the product it brought up looked like "Tom's custom Driveshafts" which was $210.00 for the front one... Most likely a lot cheaper versions somewhere... Tom's sells online too, so might get cheaper that way? You'll have to do some research for best pricing once you know what you need, and what you have...

Otherwise, if it's not stock drivetrain, you'll have to start figuring what you need in another way... Myself, I'd take the old broken one locally to a shop and have replacement ordered / made depending on the drive-train present.

Welcome to the site man...

~ JR

 

[BusaDave9]

I have a pair of Tom Woods Custom Drive shafts. Excellent quality at a good price. That would be my first choice. the drive shaft will last the life of your jeep. Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts - Tom Woods Custom Drive Shafts Custom Driveshafts Specialist
But there might be cheaper solutions. If you only have one yoke that needs replacing I would call a local drive shaft shop to see what it would cost to have it repaired.
You also might be able to find drive shafts at a salvage yard. The length is very important. Measure carefully. Don't assume a CJ of the same year will have the same length drive shafts. It depends on what drive train you have. Also a lifted jeep may need longer drive shafts.

 

[New to the Game]

I appreciate the help. I looked at the Jeep today and it appears to have been the front shaft that was broken, the U joint is still there. Both drive shafts are off the vehicle. The guy was driving on only one, if it was the front shaft that could explain why it broke, right? I am pretty new to 4x4s and am trying to guess why it broke. He wasn't off roading, just driving on city streets. I may have to purchase the rear shaft as well. How do I find out what drive train it has, the guy had just bought the Jeep and really doesn't know that much about it. I also noticed that the last foot to foot and a half of the frame in the rear is ate up pretty bad with rust. Any fixes for that?

 

[BusaDave9]

The guy was driving on only one, if it was the front shaft that could explain why it broke, right?

When a jeep is in 2WD it should be rear wheel drive but that shouldn't have caused the front drive shaft to break.

I may have to purchase the rear shaft as well. How do I find out what drive train it has

If you get a new drive shaft from Tom Woods he will want you to measure the length of the drive shaft. Measure from the yoke on the differential to the yoke on the Transfer Case .

If you go to a junk yard you may have a hard time finding a drive shaft of the correct length. Call around first.

You should have a Dana 300 Transfer Case .
Do you have a 4 speed manual? if so it may be a T-4 or an SR4 .

 

[Kane]

The rear of the frame will have to be replaced or heavily replated with steel. There is no other way around it. Your CJ5 if the driveline is original you have the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l or the iron duke 4 cylinder motor. You have the Dana 300 Transfer Case with a Dana 30 front axle and an AMC model 20 rear axle. Your Transmission could be a T-15 3 speed, T-176 or SR4 four speed. They also come with a T-5 five speed but not in the CJ5 due to length issues. For your drive shaft if you are looking to replace them the builder will just want to know the length from yoke to yoke. They don't really care what your have for driveline. They may ask how much power you have and what U-joints you are using which in most cases are the 1310's for a stock Jeep. I hope this info helps.

 

[BusaDave9]

I also noticed that the last foot to foot and a half of the frame in the rear is ate up pretty bad with rust. Any fixes for that?

A company called Safe-T-Cap makes frame repair kits for CJs. You can get their kit to repair the back end of the CJ frame. They sell a lot of their products on eBay but I think I also saw their parts on Quadratec Jeep Parts, Jeep Accessories & Jeep Wrangler Parts From The Jeep Parts Experts - Quadratec
Check out this link: Auto Rust Technicians
Or here:
Jeep CJ-5 & 7 Safe-T-Cap Rear Frame Repair Kit SET | eBay

 

[New to the Game]

I got it home and me and my buddy got the motor running, sounds pretty good for setting around for about 5 years. The best I can tell it is a five speed standard shift. I am going to have a guy lengthen my drive shafts. So if it has a five speed Transmission and it is a CJ5 does that mean that it is not original or not a good thing?

 

[yleefox]

I'm a bit confused on why you would have the shafts lengthened. Care to enlighten us?

 

[New to the Game]

I was told that I needed to, when I checked into it there was no need (bad advice from a friend of a friend). But I do have to get new universals, straps, and have one of the shafts repaired and it should be driveable. Not too pretty but driveable.

 

[yleefox]

Well then, if you are going to use the same length shaft as the one you already have, you might consider measuring it and looking on Ebay for an used replacement. Typically you would measure from the center of the yoke (where the U-joint mounts) to the center of the yoke at the opposite end. Make sure you get measurements with the driveshaft both extended to its full length and with it at its shortest length. This may be cheaper than repairing the shaft you currently have. If you decide that you are keeping the shaft you have, check to make sure that it is straight and not bent.

Good luck

Y