Driveshaft lengthening: Talk me outa this

Ok so with the install of new springs and a shackle reversal kit, my front driveshaft length apears to be about 1" short.

so I was thinking the front driveshaft will never be spinning unless I am off road. when it is spinning, speed should be low, ballance should not be critical...

what's to stop me from creating an insert with an od to match the shaft tube, necked down sections of a couple inches long to insert into each end of the tube, cut the tube in the center insert the insert, jig as straight as I can get and weld up the insert?

or should I just go to a driveshaft shop and surrender my wallet???

Ok you may open fire

 

My friend makes them all the time , I know for sure he has made at lest 8 in the last couple of years. Out of them only one had a slight vib in it. He balacned it by trail an error technic using drive shaft weights and a hose clamp then once he got the vib out he welded the weight on. Him and nick made 2 more last week for a 468ci mud bog truck they held up on some est runs they made the tranny didnt though lol

 

Just getting it retubed shouldn't cost all that much. It's the yokes that get pricey.

 

there is a guy up here who will shorten or lengthen DS for like $20, im sure there is someone down there who can do the same.

 

I just figure it will be harder in VA BCH to find a piece of tubing than it would be to just have a shop do the work. I can make an insert on the lathe out of whatever material I need to and can do it in an evening. I have a tough time locating raw materials in this creative waste land...

 

I'd spend the money just because I know I'd leave the thing in 4wd and run 50 mph with it... YMMV

 

Dan, what thickness (schedule) did you use?

 

I made a square front driveshaft out of reciever hitch tubing. Has 2+ft of slip and is 1/4 wall thickness so the yokes will break before it bends. Does click at higher speeds as there is some slop in the slip fit, but no vibrations oddly enough. Needs a cv at the t-case. Hey they don't call me ghettofab for nuttin'!

I had a shaft for my truck lengthened and it was only like $60. I'd look around first. After that just get some tube and cut to length. Mock it up on the vehicle and use a dial indicator to help true up the runout. Weld'er up!

BTW, some cherokees (xj) use a cv shaft that has a 2" .120 wall tubing. Very easy to modify and strong for a driveshaft. I use one as my spare for my rear modified to fit of course.

Kevo

 

There's a thought, search junke yard for similar OD driveshaft, longer. cut tube to desired length, install my ends... would be great if this wasn't the front shaft of a dauntless pretty small.

still a good reason to haunt the UPI saturday morning

 

I would go larger but I only have 1 inch lift springs and clearance to the starter is tight

 

I dunno, spoze I otta measure it. I'll let you know when I get home.

 

My stock one measures 23 3/4" from center of ujoint to center of ujoint fully extended. add 1/4" to reach between yokes and another inch for some extension and I will need a 25" shaft joint to joint.

 

the front shafts on the 87+ cherokees are a Double Cardan shaft.
depending on the engine/tranny - the lengths are as follows:

4.0L with AW4 (auto)
32"
4.0L with AX-15 (5-spd after 1990?)
29.75"

and they have a 3" slip joint - (meaning plus or minus 1.5" from the above measurements)

just another option...
www.car-part.com you can find them for around $50...