2 piece to 1 piece drive shaft - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mdg · 02-19-2003, 06:37 AM

How do you convert the 2 piece drive shaft to a single drive shaft.
I have a 69 C10 1/2 ton long bed. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

MDG

Crank · 02-19-2003, 08:32 AM

Um. I think you just have a driveshaft made or find one that fits and take out the carrier bearing. I think that should give you room for the new 'shaft.
Brandon

crazy longhorn · 02-19-2003, 10:34 AM

I am told , by a local driveline shop that right at that 6' line center to center on the caps is as long as a 1 pc shaft can be made.......& it needs to be 4 1/2-5" dia on the tube at that lenght. if they are built any longer, they tend to flex(whip), & will fail. If you fall into that 6' line, you can have it done, but may need to do a little trimming on the hole in the crossmember for clearance. Good luck,crazyL

**ScottH** · 02-19-2003, 11:11 AM

Can anyone tell me the length of a one piece driveshaft for a SWB with a 350/350 combo? Thanks.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 02-19-2003, 03:16 PM

also remember that the crossmember that you are going to be cutting on is the same crossmember that supports your trailing arms. You must keep the integrety of that crossmember by reinforcing it after you trim it.

Ben

*Piston* · 02-19-2003, 03:36 PM

I just installed mine but I used a Long tail 350 to cut down on the overall lenght of the driveshaft.
With a Long tail trans and LWB truck the shaft is exactly 65" center to center. I did trim the crossmember to allow clearance when the vehicle is raised on a lift, But when at ride height the shaft doesnt touch a thing. Of course you'll have to cut the rivets and remove the carrier bearing.

I've had mine in for about 4 months with absolutly no trouble, no vibration and NO MORE CARRIER BEARINGS lol.

Oh, I believe this shaft is 3.5" in diameter. The driveline shop told me the same thing, stay under 72" and you'll be fine. Any larger and they WOULD NOT build one for me. So if you were to go with a short tail (8") shorter, that would put you over the allowed length... only by an inch though. Not sure if it would cause problems or not? But Inland Drive axle said they wouldnt do it regardless.

**Desert Rat** · 02-19-2003, 04:15 PM

ive parted a 67 GMC and it came with a 1 pc driveline,and the 67 gmc i have now also has one.my 69 has a 1 pc driveline out of a ford van.it fit fine when it was a small block,i had it shortened when i put in the big block.just have to go to the junkyard with a tape measure,and if ujoint size isnt same you can buy the conversion ujoints,ive had to do that before.they cost a bit more but,saving money over a carrier bearing.

**ScottH** · 02-20-2003, 01:32 PM

Piston, thanks for the info on your driveshaft, but I believe you measured one for a LWB. I need a length for a SWB with a 350/350 combo if anyone can help.

Thanks.

mdg · 02-21-2003, 02:53 PM

Thanks a million for the info guys, you have all been allot of help.

MDG

02-19-2003, 06:37 AM	#1
mdg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Apple Valley, California Posts: 26	2 piece to 1 piece drive shaft How do you convert the 2 piece drive shaft to a single drive shaft. I have a 69 C10 1/2 ton long bed. Any advise is greatly appreciated. MDG

02-19-2003, 10:34 AM	#3
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I am told , by a local driveline shop that right at that 6' line center to center on the caps is as long as a 1 pc shaft can be made.......& it needs to be 4 1/2-5" dia on the tube at that lenght. if they are built any longer, they tend to flex(whip), & will fail. If you fall into that 6' line, you can have it done, but may need to do a little trimming on the hole in the crossmember for clearance. Good luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

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02-19-2003, 08:32 AM	#2
Crank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 1,965	Um. I think you just have a driveshaft made or find one that fits and take out the carrier bearing. I think that should give you room for the new 'shaft. Brandon

02-19-2003, 11:11 AM	#4
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Can anyone tell me the length of a one piece driveshaft for a SWB with a 350/350 combo? Thanks.

02-19-2003, 03:16 PM	#5
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	also remember that the crossmember that you are going to be cutting on is the same crossmember that supports your trailing arms. You must keep the integrety of that crossmember by reinforcing it after you trim it. Ben

02-19-2003, 03:36 PM	#6
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,301	I just installed mine but I used a Long tail 350 to cut down on the overall lenght of the driveshaft. With a Long tail trans and LWB truck the shaft is exactly 65" center to center. I did trim the crossmember to allow clearance when the vehicle is raised on a lift, But when at ride height the shaft doesnt touch a thing. Of course you'll have to cut the rivets and remove the carrier bearing. I've had mine in for about 4 months with absolutly no trouble, no vibration and NO MORE CARRIER BEARINGS lol. Oh, I believe this shaft is 3.5" in diameter. The driveline shop told me the same thing, stay under 72" and you'll be fine. Any larger and they WOULD NOT build one for me. So if you were to go with a short tail (8") shorter, that would put you over the allowed length... only by an inch though. Not sure if it would cause problems or not? But Inland Drive axle said they wouldnt do it regardless.

02-19-2003, 04:15 PM	#7
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	ive parted a 67 GMC and it came with a 1 pc driveline,and the 67 gmc i have now also has one.my 69 has a 1 pc driveline out of a ford van.it fit fine when it was a small block,i had it shortened when i put in the big block.just have to go to the junkyard with a tape measure,and if ujoint size isnt same you can buy the conversion ujoints,ive had to do that before.they cost a bit more but,saving money over a carrier bearing.

02-20-2003, 01:32 PM	#8
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Piston, thanks for the info on your driveshaft, but I believe you measured one for a LWB. I need a length for a SWB with a 350/350 combo if anyone can help. Thanks.

02-21-2003, 02:53 PM	#9
mdg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Apple Valley, California Posts: 26	Thanks a million for the info guys, you have all been allot of help. MDG



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