72 K10 Front driveshaft question

[yfs200p]

Hello everyone. As I'm reinstalling the front driveshaft in my 72 k10, I've noticed pictures of many other trucks that are different than mine. I see most others have an extra u-joint and flange on the transfer case end, making for a total of 3. Mine has only 2 U-Joints that bolt directly into each yoke. I believe the truck has a 2" lift, but I don't think that should require a new front shaft. Has anyone seen one like mine without the flange? Should I look to replace mine, I don't plan on using the 4wd more than maybe one per year but it would be nice to make sure it works properly. Pictures are best I could do from way back in the teardown days...

Best pic I have, see where it connects to the t-case directly



The style that I've seen elsewhere

[JIMs70GMC]

I have had a couple of these trucks and have always had a "double-cardian" joint at the transfer case. The older ones used the dana style and the newer ones used the sagnaw or flanged style. From what I can tell in your pic, typically the slip joint is always bolted at the axle not at the transfer case. I can take some pics of mine when I get home.

[CUSTOM/10]

Yeah as Jim said; You should have a CV joint ( double u-joint ) at the transfer case and the slip joint down towards the diff.

I did have a shaft like yours on a truck temporarily until I got a replacement.

Gary

[61K10]

why would you have the slip joint down in the mud and water? my tk only has 2 u-joints, one on each end plus the slip joint. don't have much axle movement though.

[FlameOut]

Here is a picture of mine, from my 72 SWB K10

[dave666693]

Originally Posted by FlameOut

Here is a picture of mine, from my 72 SWB K10

Attachment 1284545

this is the correct set-up

[67swb72klb]

I have seen people run without the cv joint but they should have them

[yfs200p]

Interesting. I guess I'll have to look for the correct shaft. I wonder if I can just add the cv joint to the shaft I have?

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by yfs200p

Interesting. I guess I'll have to look for the correct shaft. I wonder if I can just add the cv joint to the shaft I have?

No the double cardian will have to be welded to the tube and rebalanced.

[jjzepplin]

I happen to have a good cardian joint on a shaft I stole the spline from... $20 plus shipping.

[franken]

The shaft angle is improved slightly by adding the lift. It seems a PO thought it was enough to not need the CV joint. He may also have also spent some bucks converting from the flanged output to the ujoint output, which many feel is better.

Mark how the splined ends go together to keep it balanced, pop the shaft in two, clean, grease the splines and the ujoints and forget about it.

BTW, stop looking at LMC catalogs for locally available common replacement parts.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by franken

Mark how the splined ends go together to keep it balanced

Good advice, and here's why, along with a good basic illustration of why DS angles need to be correct.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=470937339716400

[yfs200p]

Originally Posted by franken

The shaft angle is improved slightly by adding the lift. It seems a PO thought it was enough to not need the CV joint. He may also have also spent some bucks converting from the flanged output to the ujoint output, which many feel is better.

Mark how the splined ends go together to keep it balanced, pop the shaft in two, clean, grease the splines and the ujoints and forget about it.

BTW, stop looking at LMC catalogs for locally available common replacement parts.

Thanks for the info. This truck was caked in what looked like Georgia mud when I got it. So i assume a PO had been running it through the mud without any 4wd problems. I wont be wheeling this truck hard or often so i think i'll take your advice and just clean up what i have.

BTW- I stopped shopping at LMC many years ago but their catalogs are a decent source for parts pictures.

[JIMs70GMC]

Mike, That is an awesome link. Thanks for sharing!