cutting down a drive shaft - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cory d · 05-11-2012, 10:11 PM

I know its possible but is it a good idea? is there a driveshaft that can be used for a crew cab short bed like a long bed extended can off 88+ or even 73-79 ferds? i was thinking of chopping out and chunk with a chop saw and having a buddy who is a pipe fitter weld it up.

ghettoluxury · 05-11-2012, 10:15 PM

Take it to a local drive line shop and tell them how much shorter you want it to be.

cory d · 05-11-2012, 10:16 PM

sounds like it will cost me an arm and a leg but if its the only way then i guess i dont have a choice. i'll look into that

INSIDIOUS '86 · 05-11-2012, 10:29 PM

Go to driveshafts nw in Everett. They have great prices and do an awesome job as well
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cory d · 05-11-2012, 11:24 PM

is that the place by the train station?

cableguy0 · 05-11-2012, 11:27 PM

Driveshafts have to be right. They have to be balanced and they need to be exactly straight. Your buddy might be a great welder but pipe sits still. Driveshafts spin at engine rpm. If you ever saw a driveshaft break at speed you wouldnt be asking this question. Driveshaft work is relatively cheap. Last one we had built was guaranteed to 1200hp and with them supplying yokes and u joints was 300 bucks made from scratch.

cory d · 05-11-2012, 11:38 PM

wow thats allot less expensive then i thought. i will give them a call a call in the morning to get an idea on price

andrewmp6 · 05-12-2012, 06:18 AM

I have had a local diesel shop build all of mine.I have had a few made none have failed and most i paid was 350 bucks.

**special-K** · 05-12-2012, 06:30 AM

Al you need is new tube,if it's longer,or cut and re-welded. When I have mine lengthened it has never cost as much as $200...shortening is about $100. It can be done inside of an hour.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 05-12-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cory d

is that the place by the train station?

Yes it is. They built the shaft on my 67 belvedere. And it had a trans brake and a 750hp stroker 440. That shaft took it like a champ

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v30crewcab · 05-12-2012, 04:32 PM

I always shorten my own. I cut them, put it together with the joints in phase, tack it back together, install it in the truck and spin it to get it dead on straight, and weld it up. never had one break, and my truck will twist up the frame when I get on it. but if you're not comfortable doing it def pay someone else that can.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 05-12-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v30crewcab

I always shorten my own. I cut them, put it together with the joints in phase, tack it back together, install it in the truck and spin it to get it dead on straight, and weld it up. never had one break, and my truck will twist up the frame when I get on it. but if you're not comfortable doing it def pay someone else that can.

Mine twist the frame over speed bumps lolololol
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05-11-2012, 10:11 PM	#1
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	cutting down a drive shaft I know its possible but is it a good idea? is there a driveshaft that can be used for a crew cab short bed like a long bed extended can off 88+ or even 73-79 ferds? i was thinking of chopping out and chunk with a chop saw and having a buddy who is a pipe fitter weld it up. __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

05-11-2012, 10:15 PM	#2
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: cutting down a drive shaft Take it to a local drive line shop and tell them how much shorter you want it to be. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

05-11-2012, 10:16 PM	#3
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: cutting down a drive shaft sounds like it will cost me an arm and a leg but if its the only way then i guess i dont have a choice. i'll look into that __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

05-11-2012, 10:29 PM	#4
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: cutting down a drive shaft Go to driveshafts nw in Everett. They have great prices and do an awesome job as well Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

05-11-2012, 11:24 PM	#5
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: cutting down a drive shaft is that the place by the train station? __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

05-11-2012, 11:27 PM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: cutting down a drive shaft Driveshafts have to be right. They have to be balanced and they need to be exactly straight. Your buddy might be a great welder but pipe sits still. Driveshafts spin at engine rpm. If you ever saw a driveshaft break at speed you wouldnt be asking this question. Driveshaft work is relatively cheap. Last one we had built was guaranteed to 1200hp and with them supplying yokes and u joints was 300 bucks made from scratch. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

05-11-2012, 11:38 PM	#7
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: cutting down a drive shaft wow thats allot less expensive then i thought. i will give them a call a call in the morning to get an idea on price __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

05-12-2012, 06:18 AM	#8
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: cutting down a drive shaft I have had a local diesel shop build all of mine.I have had a few made none have failed and most i paid was 350 bucks.

05-12-2012, 06:30 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: cutting down a drive shaft Al you need is new tube,if it's longer,or cut and re-welded. When I have mine lengthened it has never cost as much as $200...shortening is about $100. It can be done inside of an hour. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-12-2012, 04:32 PM	#11
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 982	Re: cutting down a drive shaft I always shorten my own. I cut them, put it together with the joints in phase, tack it back together, install it in the truck and spin it to get it dead on straight, and weld it up. never had one break, and my truck will twist up the frame when I get on it. but if you're not comfortable doing it def pay someone else that can. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

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