I've raised my front end with new/used springs and now it seems my driveshaft is a little short. It came apart when I jacked up the front of the truck from the bumper. I was thinking of welding a piece of pipe in at the base of the splined tube that the other shaft slides into. Anybody done this? I don't think balance will be a big issue as I don't use my 4WD anytime except when wheeling, generally low speed. It doesn't snow here so I rarely even use high range when in 4WD. Besides that, my front diff is welded and the truck doesn't steer for crap on the road when engaged. anybody done this? I did a search and came back with nothing.

You need to find out if it is just too short or if the slip yoke travel is not long enough. If it is not close to fully compressing, then you can lengthen it or add a spacer:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DriveshaftSpacer.shtml

If it is compressing well and still pulling apart a longer slip yoke is probably needed. You can get long travel slip yoke kits or you can make a new shaft out of square tubing or get a new shaft built.

Do a search for "square shaft"


Basically, you use a 2" diameter inner square tube, and a 2.5" 1/4" wall outter tube, and they slide in and out of each other like a trailer hitch tube. Cut the yokes off your old shaft and weld them up to the square shaft. HEre's mine....

http://home.4x4wire.com/adamf/88/frontshaft.htm

good info I m in the same spot just put my lift in on the front end and was going to head to the rear end drive shaft shop here in town.I owe you one probly saved me 2 bills <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

American ingenuity at it's finest. I'll be doing this. It's the perfect solution for my problem and the price is right... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Glad you guys could make use of the info!

A few words of advice. One is, find SEAMLESS tube. A lot of places will tell you there is no such thing. Keep calling around until you find it. I found some at a welding place. You could probably find it at a trailer repair place too. Just ask for trailer hitch tube. The regular tube with seems will not fit together without grinding a notch on the male tube. Doing this will create a LOT of play in the 2 parts, creating a lot of vibrations. The seemless fits together without any grinding just like your trailer hitch.

Second, TAKE YOUR TIME! Make sure everything is centered and even. Make sure your yokes are lined up and in phase.

Third, add a bunch of grease fittings to the outside of the outter tube. Keep it pumped full of grease. This will take up any slack in the 2 tubes, and keep it from rattling and vibrating. You will need to remove all the grease fittings if you go rock crawling as they will break off when you hit the rocks. And you will have to pump the shaft full of grease about every other trip out as it seems to work its way out quickly. Makes things messy, but it really helps cut down vibes.


Do all this and you shouldnt have any major vibes up to 50-60mph. Its still going to vibrate a little, but nothing terrible. I needed the shaft to go at least 40-50mph as I wanted to drive the rig in 4wd on the highway to work when it snows.

Another source for seamless tube is a place called Industrial Metal Supply. They have a branches here in SoCal and carry all kinds of good stuff. I've seen the trailer hitch tube stock there in about 5 different sizes that all fit within each other. I'll be paying a visit this week and doing a little shopping. Good thing is they have a scrap bin that sells by the pound, i.e. you don't have to buy a long piece if you only have a little project.

In the Sacramento area you can get it at Blue Collar Supply. They have all kinds of stuff there and they sell Hardware (nuts, bolts, and screws) by the pound. Grate place to get Grade 8 hardware. The only problem is they do not sell Metric hardware. It is located on Florin-Perkins Road.