V6 Dana 27 Swap, Small Ujoint Solution

A few months back, I posted a thread asking about a conversion joint to go from the standard spicer 153x joint, to the small V6 joint found in the front axle of V6 jeeps. I had swapped in axles out of a later cj5, and ran into the small u-joint hurdle. I discovered there was none. After searching for the fine spline, standard wide 153x joint dana 27 pinion yoke for many months with no luck, I was bound and determined to find a solution to get my 4 wheel drive back up and running.

So today, I took some measurements such as cap size and cross width and headed to the local tractor supply co with my calipers. Thought this might possibly help someone out some day.

What I found was that a #12 tractor pto ujoint is only an 1/8" wider than the small V6 joint, and cap size is nearly identical, less than a hundreth of an inch difference. Tractor supply also sells weld on yokes for these joints, with a 1 1/4 inch slip input. This just happens to be the same size as the OD of an original flatfender driveshaft (possible ecj5 as well, hopefully someone can verify this). This made installation very straightforward onto my original driveshaft. I simply removed the original yoke, slid on the new yoke(actually took a few smacks with the hammer), and welded it in. My drivehaft has been lengthened before, so there is a larger piece of tubing sleeved over the original shaft, as seen in the pics. Being everything is a very snug fit, the shaft stayed very true. After welding (I suggest preheating the tsc yoke for better penetration), I installed the shaft in my jeep. The only mod here was to grind around 1/16th of an inch off the inside of both retaining nubs on the d27 pinion yoke. After that everything assembled easily. This mod cost right around 50 bucks, and the joints are only 20, which is cheaper than I was able to find the V6 joints online.







I realize that many of you may ask about balancing, etc, but being this is a front shaft, I wasn't to worried, as it will never see highway speeds. After a short test run today, everything seems to be holding together nicely.

 

Good info!

I did pm I had the large joint 27 yoke available and never heard back.....

 

Nick,
I called up there, and didn't get anywhere. I think it was just some confusion by both parties. Thanks for your help.

 

Hmmm, odd. I have one in my garage right now I think. Sorry if there was any confusion. Glad you found a resolution!

 

nice job. Id bet grinding off those retaining nubs evenly has more effect on balancing than the shaft itself.

 

I thought the Precision 361 would fit? I couldn't find them at Napa or other FLAPS so I ordered them online (RockAuto $16.90). I have them at home sitting in a box but have not had time to pull them out. At first glance they looked correct. I sure hope they will fit!!! If not I guess I know where to go.... Thanks for the info

 

Just curious but are the 361s the same width on each side? Starting to think I got the wrong ones. Spicer 5-105X