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mystery drivetrain

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by nyejos11, Nov 21, 2004.

  1. Nov 21, 2004
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
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    Hi,
    My Jeep CJ 5 has a TH400, Dana 20 transfer case, and a two piece front driveshaft with a carrier bearing in the middle. The trans to transfer case adapter must be a factory part. The tailshaft from the TH400 has the 28-32? splines going right into the adapter. The adapter gears and housing say Dana right on them. My problem is figuring out which model and years of Jeep these came out of. I'm mostly looking for a replacement front driveshaft.Someone recommended looking up Commando parts but all the driveshafts here look to be one piece. The front driveshaft I'm looking for begins at the transfer case with a typical u-joint. The shaft then goes 15-20 inches to another u-joint which connects it to the front piece of the front driveshaft. The front piece then goes to the front diff. and another ujoint. Somewhere in the middle, just in back of the middle joint, there is a carrier bearing which is mounted to the frame. Sorry I don't have a camera or the driveshaft either. Also I tried a straight one piece shaft- it rubbs on the side of the transmission. Any help in identifying the model and year(s) this is from would be great. Josh
     
  2. Nov 21, 2004
    53Flattie

    53Flattie Intigator

    Easley, SC
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    :? Wow - you got me stumped. I've never heard of a 2-piece driveshaft on a Jeep; especially a CJ5?

    I'm 99% sure Jeep never offered an auto in the CJ5, but someone will have to back me up on that. Even in the CJ7's, the automatics were always backed by the Quadratrac t-case - if I'm not mistaken...
     
  3. Nov 21, 2004
    Southtowns27

    Southtowns27 Custom Title

    The Backhills of...
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    I think TH400's came in Commandos, but I'm not 100% sure about that... It sounds like someone may have robbed the drivetrain out of one of those and put it in your Jeep. The front driveshaft may be a homemade setup. Sounds kinda neat though
     
  4. Nov 21, 2004
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
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    Someone sent me a picture of a supposed Commando front driveshaft and it was a one piece. I'm all confused about where it came from.

    Josh
     
  5. Nov 21, 2004
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    Sounds like a commando setup but someone put a carrier bearing because they were worried about the driveshaft length OR thats how they could adapt it without lenghthening it. I've had several Commandos all pre 72 I dont remember any of any of them having one. Don't remember if the bullnose ones had one, been a long time since I looked at one. Not much help huh, sorry.
     
  6. Nov 21, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Again it sounds like a commando drivetrain. i think the early jeepsters had the tow peice driveshaft, i am not even sure what they look like but i remember members of the jeepster club talkin bout the 2 piece fron driveshaft and how awful they were.
     
  7. Nov 21, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I recall Jim wrote here that the Commandos with a TH400 had a carrier bearing. Try searching for "carrier bearing", or maybe Jim will chime in.
     
  8. Nov 21, 2004
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    We talked about this a little while back. Didn't come up with anything when I searched.
     
  9. Nov 21, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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  10. Nov 21, 2004
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
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    Well,
    What I am thinking of doing is using the straight, one piece driveshaft that fits. It rubs against the trans. pan where it meets the case but I think I can grind it back to the bolts and have it not scrape.
    There will only be like half of the gasket left but I think it will be enough.

    Josh
     
  11. Nov 21, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    What's the problem with the existing driveshaft? A good driveshaft shop should be able to make you a new one. Grinding on the transmission case seems a little drastic.
     
  12. Nov 21, 2004
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
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    The 2 piece driveshaft was junk. So, I cut out the center ujoints and housings and made it one straight shaft. Now the driveshaft comes so close to the trans. pan if I hit a big bump and the suspension compresses it will hit the trans pan. This is why they put in a 2 piece in so that it will be angled away from the trans.
    I was hoping to find a used driveshaft identical to the two piece so that I wouldn't have to shell out the big $$$$$ to have one made.

    Josh
     
  13. Nov 21, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    You maybe able to drop the Tcase an inch to clear the tranny pan.
     
  14. Nov 21, 2004
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
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    Drop the what?
     
  15. Nov 21, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    I corrected it for you, I speak Stewart. R)
     
  16. Nov 21, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    And i speak Jive :D :D
     
  17. Nov 21, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The Wagoneer uses a one-piece driveshaft that clears the TH400. This driveshaft also has a CV joint at the TC end which is notorious for being neglected, flying apart, and holing the TH400. One of these driveshafts might be ok, and should be pretty easy to find. You'd have to change its length, but that's cheaper than having a 2-piece shaft made.
     
  18. Nov 21, 2004
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    your front driveshaft is indeed stock in that configuration from the factory, only used with the V6/T400 in the Jeepster model, 1971 and prior
    here is an exploded parts diagram for your viewing pleasure
    http://community.webshots.com/user/jpflat2a
    click on commando 2 piece shaft
     
  19. Nov 21, 2004
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    this special shaft also uses the small V/6 diameter u-joints
    the joints on the ends are the same but the middle joint is different
    FYI
     
  20. Nov 22, 2004
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
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    That last part with the diagram will be extremely helpful!
    Thanks a lot! Do you have any idea what years Commando this is from(?-'71)?

    Josh
     
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