Drive Shaft Angle

This is 74 Cj5 6cyl (258) with a T18 and Dana 44. It has 2.5" shackle lift, spring under and a 2" drop in trans bracket. I have assembled this from from several donner jeeps so I have no reference as to how it ran or how it will run. Im at the point where I need to set pinion angle and weld perches but the drive shaft angle looks too steep. I have read that 15 degrees is near the max for u-joint type drive shaft. This measures 30 degrees. Im thinking I should stop and reconfigure for a cardin type drive shaft, not sure??? As it is currently the pinion would be set at 5 degrees, same as Trans and the shaft angle will be 30 degrees. Anyone have any experirence with this?
Thanks

 

It's hard to tell from the picture, but I would bet your yokes will bind when the suspension is at fool droop. Either lower the transfer case or put in a double cardigan joint.

Extreem

 

A Trans drop would be about 6" to get the angle down to 15 degrees and that would still be steep. Does anyone know the stock driveshaft angle of a CJ5?

 

Sorry, can't help you with the angle measurement, I just tore out my trans and case for upgrade. Since you allready have the transfercase lowered, your best bet is the double cardigan shaft. Your rear pinion should be pointed directly at the transfercase output.

Tom Woods driveshafts is a great souce of info.
http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html

Extreem.

 

The factory angle is high, but nowhere near 30 degrees. Unfortunately, a 258/(Jeep OEM close ratio)T18 combo will be hard to add significant lift to without heroic measures.

I presume you mean the shackles are 2.5" longer than stock? A +2.5" shackle will give you 1.25" of lift, combined with a 2" drop of the transfer case should be better than stock. If you have +5" shackles, they are way too long.

If you have lift springs in addition to the shackle lift, then I expect you will have trouble. As mentioned, the Tom Woods site has some good tech to refer to - look on the tech link there at "Drivelines 101." Tom Woods will make a high-angle driveline for you, but you might not like the price.

 

My 'A1 with 1" lift is right at 10°

 

I've got my cj spring over, and oonly about 3/4" of t-case drop with with a double cardan cv shaft from tom woods. My driveling angle at ride height is about 29*. They said that their cv handles that fine (and IIRC up to 32*), and that there is optional machining that can give you another 5* of angularity.


At 30* I would definitly reccomend a cv style shaft. Call the tom Woods guys, they will set you up nice. They Dont over-sell either. I was asking about hte machining and a slip joint boot and they said that if I really wanted it, I could pay for it, but they didnt reccomend it. How many companies will talk you OUT of optional add on's?

I also got the trail hazard warranty for the extra 60 or $80. They will replace the shaft, no questions asked, it you break it. Free. All you ahve to pay for is if you want the warranty for it again. In retrospect, the shaft has been so indestructable and trouble free, that I almost wish I hadn't got the warranty.

 

High Angle Driveline is another outstanding vendor for custom drivelines. Jesse reallly knows his stuff and will only sell you what you need. His only shortcoming is he's a one or two man shop (depending on the season) which makes him fall a day or two behind once in a while. He's helped me a couple times with hard to find parts for transfer cases too.