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Custom driveshafts

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by garage gnome, Jun 29, 2014.

  1. Jun 29, 2014
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I was wondering what everybody does for custom driveshafts? I know Tom Woods driveshafts are good, but I hear they are pricey. I've seen some mud trucks that have box tubing or tractor PTO driveshafts as their driveshafts; bad idea?
     
  2. Jun 29, 2014
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I just had both driveshafts made at local driveshaft shop . very happy with work . found invoice . cost for shorting one(front) and lengthen the other(rear) with new u joints . and balancing cost $150 . didn't need new slip joints . they were replace a few years earlier with the other transmission swap (auto)
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014
  3. Jun 29, 2014
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    I have never heard a bad thing about tom woods driveshafts. I think they start just under $200 each. I just looked at 4 wheel drive hardware's catalog and the cheapest shaft is $350. Imo $200 for a custom driveshaft made to your specs sounds like a good deal to me.
     
  4. Jun 29, 2014
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Ok, the woods ones sound good. Someone was telling me it would be about a grand for both of them. :shock: I found that hard to believe.
     
  5. Jun 29, 2014
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I like Tom Woods okay.

    I've also had great value from a nearby driveshaft shop. They totally rebuilt my ruined shaft for under $200... after Ford quoted me $1500

    For a basic shaft why not go local?
     
  6. Jun 29, 2014
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I want a long slip joint. I got a driveshaft lengthened 3" for my '55 chevy project and that cost $370 at a local shop.
     
  7. Jun 30, 2014
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Last edited: Jun 30, 2014
  8. Jun 30, 2014
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Used to use a local shop - then had 3 shafts come apart and they wouldn't stand behind them. I have now gone to Tom Woods and been very happy with it.

    I use local when I can - once they prove they don't stand behind things, I move on with no guilt at all.
     
  9. Jun 30, 2014
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I have always used a local shop (Powertrain Plus) and have never had one malfunction in anyway. The parts are all Spicer and near as I can tell, perfectly balanced-no vibration. Nothing against Tom Woods, but unless you are racing or have some extreme angles, they are likely overkill.
     
  10. Jun 30, 2014
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    Last driveshaft I purchased from CJ Tatton off E-Bay. I think it was $150 shipped to my door. All NEW Spicer parts including premium u-joints, long slip joint (9" iirc) and balanced. Runs just fine in the back of my '59-5.
    I called and talked to him before ordering. Nice guy. After purchase he had me reference the E-Bay purchase to the call/info. Fit perfect when I received it and plenty beefy.

    Not all Tom Woods stuff is pricey but not all is cheap either. They do stand behind their product and build nice stuff.
     
  11. Jun 30, 2014
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I like overkill. :twisted:

    I'll try my local shop. Can't be too expensive if I supply ends then. The tubing must be less than a 4' total.
     
  12. Jun 30, 2014
    djcj3a

    djcj3a Member

    Ukiah, CA
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    Nick,
    I was looking at his shafts for my build. Glad you had a good experience and thanks for the info. I will give him a call.
     
  13. Jul 3, 2014
    Corveeper

    Corveeper Member

    Chanute, Kansas
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    Just to throw another alternative out there, I have been very pleased with the rear drive shaft I ordered from these guys.

    http://www.driveshaftsuperstore.com/

    Very friendly, even called me back to verify measurements.
     
  14. Jul 12, 2014
    04sd2

    04sd2 Member

    Lehigh Valley, PA
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    May 30, 2011
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    Nate, FWIW, You can shorten the drive shafts yourself for the Jalopy. Since you're running a T18 a stock rear shaft can be shortened and on the front you can shorten a 72-75 CJ5 d30 shaft. I ran this same setup on my 2A years ago. I've shortened dozens of shafts over the years, never had a problem, and this included 455 Trans Am, 460 F350 4x4, not just low HP stuff.
     
  15. Jul 13, 2014
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I've done that in the past, but they always had a wobble to them.
     
  16. Jul 13, 2014
    04sd2

    04sd2 Member

    Lehigh Valley, PA
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    I always try to shorten on the end that just has the bearing yoke, being off a small amount here won't be noticeable. Shortening the spline end is a little more critical.
     
  17. Sep 7, 2014
    tiptoptune2

    tiptoptune2 Member

    Colorado
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    another vote for CJtattoon. Just made me a long front with double cardon, all spicer, fast, $300 Shipped. I might caution that you may want to give him a collapsed and extended measurements or they will just center the slip yoke travel. Shortening - always worked for me. Do the fixed end as suggested, tack in 3 spots on flat bench, mount in vehicle, check run out. Adjust run out by cutting one or two tacks, maybe heat tack a bit to allow stretch, tap with hammer for zero run out, re tack and weld in place. Put ground clamp around shaft, hold gun and spin shaft.
     
  18. Sep 7, 2014
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    junk yard. i got a longer short end for the front of my 2a off of a comanche pickup. cherokee is probrobly the same. splines and yoke fit no problem. just an inch or two longer than stock but keeps it from falling out.
     
  19. Sep 9, 2014
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
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    JE Reel or Tom Woods would be my go to's for driveshafts if I needed one.
     
  20. Sep 11, 2014
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    I've run a tom woods in the rear, and one from a local shop in the front. The Tom Woods CV turned out to be cheaper than the locally made one, even when I supplied the yokes and tube. Both high quality and well built, but the tom woods wins hands down as far as I'm concerned.

    I can't see 2 fairly normal driveshafts being anywhere near $1k from them.
     
    vtxtasy likes this.
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