67 C10 Driveshaft removal problem

[Phoax]

I'm trying to put in a different transmission and I can't get the driveshaft off. I fear I might have to either pull the engine+trans or disconnect the rear end and slide it back to get it off. I don't know what to do...

It's a 67' C10, one piece driveshaft.

This is the rear U joint. I can't get the U bolt out, it hit's the driveshaft.



Here is the front U joint.


I was thinking if I could raise the rear frame and sag the axle it might be enough. I'm working in my garage and don't have a good way to do that and I'm not sure it would even work.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

[firedemon]

I have never seen a yoke that far in the trans before that's going to be fun to get out . if your going with a longer trans you will need to cut the shaft anyway but might be able to loosen mounts and jack tailshaft up enough to make some space to slide it foreword a little

[HO455]

You might gain some space by disconnecting the shocks and jacking the rear of the truck up. Allowing the rear end to drop further. The increase in angle at the pinion may allow the u-bolt to come out of the u-joint.
Although looking at those u-bolts I wouldn't think twice about cutting them off. They are too rusted for me to feel comfortable reusing.

[kaycee]

Did you try to get a pry bar in between the u-joint and yoke on the rear-end and pry the driveline forword ?You can jsck the rear of truck up and put some jack stands under the frame and let the rearend hang should be able to slip it out.

[Phoax]

Thanks for the replies. I tried jacking up the rear frame and the driveshaft hits the center crossmember and there is still interference at the rear u joint causing it to bind up there. I pried the driveshaft as forward as I could. I think I'll try what firedemon suggested and jack up the tailshaft next.

[68Gold/white]

Carefully jack up the drive shaft...

Another thing...Cab you pry around at the rear of the drive shaft, and pull those 2 u joint caps off? This would allow you to slide the drive shaft over, one side at a time to remove the "U" bolts......

THose U joints have already been replaced. GMB u joints are a lesser expensive u joint, I'd want to replace at least that joint any way...you may lose needles out of the ujoint caps doing this...

[Sheepdip]

Your driveline is obviously too long and needs to be remade to the proper length.

Your truck do as you wish, if it were me... I'd take a portable bandsaw or end/die grinder and slice it right next about 3/4" away the the weld at the rear end, then you could pull it and get it modified to the proper length. You have a situation that you need to spend the money anyway.

[Phoax]

I bought a jack that goes way higher than my old one and some giant jack stands today. I jacked up the tailshaft and still couldn't get it off. I think I'm going to remove the rear end U bolts and slide it back to get it off. You are probably right Sheepdip but after I get this transmission in I'm buying new trailing arms. I will see how the driveshaft fits after installing those before I look into shortening it. I really appreciate the input fellas.

[Happy_dan]

I would cut the U bolt off and figure out what to do when putting things back together.

[kwmech]

Pull the cups off and slide the driveshaft sideways. Probably loose some needles