one piece driveshaft
 

hi guys i own a 1968 chev truck shortbox 2wd fleetside and i am wanting to swap the turbo 350 transmission for a 700 r4 and i want to swap to a one piece driveshaft can i buy the driveshaft somewhere or do i have to measure it and get it made any help on this would be great pictures too thank you everybody

Re: one piece driveshaft
 

No one else has chimed in so I'll give my opinion, I replaced my driveshaft with one piece. You'd think it a no brainer for this to be a known length, but just wait and measure you particular setup when you are there. A driveshaft can then be made and balanced in a day, probably in Bozeman.

Re: one piece driveshaft
 

Best to get the engine and trans mounted then do the measurement. Length will be impacted by which differential you have, coil or leaf, which engine mount holes you are using, and I think there are different length tail shafts. Visit a driveline web site to learn how to measure and what info is needed to pick out the correct components for your application. Inland Driveline has a great tutorial with video on how to do this.

Re: one piece driveshaft
 

I have swapped 700r4's into a couple of trucks over the years. I used the stock driveshaft out of late 80's trucks, the same that the trans came out of. The latest was a swb, 54-1/2" IIRC.

Re: one piece driveshaft
 

"A known lenght" sure if there wasn't a half dozen locations the engine and trans could be mounted using only stock parts.
Measure YOUR truck at ride height with the engine and transmission installed. Call a DRIVELINE shop and have them build you a shaft to your specs and have them BALLANCE the shaft after it has been ASSEMBLED. You can order premade shafts from parts houses but then you have to ad the trans yoke and ujoints, that's like ballancing your wheels before you install the tires.