I have a 1997 4Runner SR5 2WD. Can anybody tell me, If this trucks driveshaft are considered a sigle peace or a double peace driveshaft? By looking at it looks like a single peace but towards the rear protion of the drive shaft it looks like the rear portion of the drive shaft slides into the front portion of the driveshaft. It also has a rubber "oring like" covering the section where the two peaces unit. I try to pull them apart, but they won't move. The reason i'm asking is because I recently lifted my truck and now I'm having some driveline vibrations. I was told that I need it to legnthen the drive shat to compensate for the lift. Any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

you have a one piece drive shaft. a two piece shaft would have a carrier bearing mounted midway from the transmission to the rear of the truck.

the rubber ring you are seeing acts like a seal to protect the slip joint splines

edit: maybe more than you want to know but here are some good links on driveshafts
4crawlers: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...line-101.shtml
driveshaft401: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...aft/index.html

this link has some great pics about midway down showing the rubber ring/slip joint i did a bad job of explaining
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Driveshafts/

 

Ok! One piece driveshaft. Now, the slip joint splines U mentioned above, assuming U aren't refering to the one that goes into the trany, they are designed to slip in and out as required to compensate for any changes on the suspenssion (ie, lift install). Correct?

 

Well... to compensate for changes in suspension as you drive and hit bumps and stuff, and that's why you shouldn't over-fill the slip joint with grease.

 

AND--if you seperate the two pieces for whatever reason--make sure you clock them by marking both pieces (I.e.--has to go back together exactly the way it came apart).

If not you will get driveline vibrations