Anyone run into a front drive shaft coming out from the spine part when wheeling with solids axles? Thinking of buying a custom made with longer front end about total 10 inches but don’t have the funds. So thought I check with you folks. It’s a SAS on a 86 runner. will be custom making the front shaft..

 

At full droop about an inch of the splines are showing on my 81 with a 3 inch lift. It will need to be lengthened if I go any higher and it already should be done

 

This is a common issue when you modify your suspension for more articulation than what the drive shaft was originally made for.

1. You can install limit straps that will limit your suspension from dropping enough to allow the driveshaft to slip out.
Or
2. Get a custom long slip spline on your driveshaft

 

How is the compressed length of the shaft and what sort of front suspension setup (lift and type of springs) do you have? If you have some additional compressed length in the shaft, you could add a spacer to help keep the shaft from separating:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...ftSpacer.shtml

But if you don't have enough compressed length to work with, then a longer slip yoke or square shaft is the only option:
- http://simbur.com/toyota4runner/drive_shafts.htm

 

or your could make a square one...like I and many others have done. Cost me about $40 bucks plus an extra driveshaft I had laying around.

 

Sounds pretty much like I do need a custom shaft.. that sucks, cuz yesterday I just bought a stock rear end drive shaft for 70.00 to do the mod. Anyone know where I can just buy the spline shaft that goes into the big shaft? Im hoping I can just find a long spline shaft about 4 inches longer = to 7 – 7.5 inches and just plug the bad boy in.. Not sure if that would work but any ideas would really help…

 

or you could use that rear shaft and just cut it down and make it a little longer than a stock front shaft. That would work too. or Trail-gear.com makes a long spline kit. http://www.trail-gear.com/drive-shaft-kit

 

That was the initial plan, and it was set in stone until someone told me it’s known to pop out on the trail….DONT want that to happen. If its safe to wheel that would be my option. I have a 3inch BL 5 inch TG IFS eliminator running . im a little new to the 4x4 game but surely learning slowly.. so bare with me if im a little slow or don’t know the terminology for a specific part..

 

I think that if you make it a few inches longer than a stock one that you would be fine. A friend of mine has a stock shaft with chevy springs in the front. Its not as tall as your TG 5 inch springs but he hasnt slipped out yet. I would think that if you just had it a little longer that it will be just fine. And if it does slip out its not that hard to put it back in to get you home to make a square one. Just make sure you carry two 14mm wrenches with you! And dont worry about not knowing the correct terminology, Thats what we are here for. I have noticed that the people here on yotatech are not as ruthless as some people on other forums. Just be patient and most are glad to help.

 

Thanks.. But wouldnt that square tubing rattle and make noises? Or even lose torque due to it just slip into each other

 

Sure, in 4WD and depending on how tight you get the slip to be. And in 2WD, it doesn't move so is quiet.

How so? No different than what you have now. The square tubes won't twist inside each other.

 

Yes it does make some noise. But there are ways to stop that. This thread shows a couple ways to do it... https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f31/...-joint-230694/ I havent done it yet but I am probably going to do the welding option to mine.

 

Unless You have it in 2wd with the hubs locked, then it makes a lot of noise.

 

square tubing will cost me about 120 bucks here in fresno ca. any places i can order pre-cut pieces on line for cheapers. the place i went to only sells in 10 feet for the trailer tube 2.5x2.5 1/4...

 

why not just buy the tg spline and put it on the shaft you have now. thats what alot of people do and what it is made for. i made mine out of an old rear shaft and used the tg spline, however i ditched the cv cause the angle was huge and used single joint at each end. if you click on my avatar look at my photo album to see the d shaft

 

If you are up for a little road trip, might try Blue Collar Supply in Sacto. They have 12"-48" pre-cut pieces of the 2.5" sq. Or try a local trailer place, they usually have that type of material available. I have a little bit on hand, that I could cut and ship if interested.

 

make sure you buy SEAMLESS square tubing for the outer tube.........

 

You do not say what height lift you have. I run a 3-4" lift and have 2 degree shims installed. If you run a 5-6" lift installed use 4 degree shims. I have never had my front drive shaft come out even when racing.

 

careful with those 4* shims, i tried to use then with my 4" springs and the tie rod hit the springs, now running 2*