one piece driveline - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

carl609 · 01-08-2006, 04:09 AM

Whats the word on changing to a one piece driveline in a long bed? Has anyone done it? Any problems?

krue · 01-08-2006, 05:44 AM

Lot's of driveline shops don't wanna make one that long.

**truckdude239** · 01-08-2006, 09:12 AM

alot of shops won't make one over i think 69 inches

ratrod67 · 01-08-2006, 11:04 AM

I have one in my 72 LWB. So far so good.

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 01-08-2006, 02:00 PM

This subject has come up numerous times here and you'll hear lots of pro's and con's. My suggestion is to go to a reputable driveline shop and have it built the right way.
I have one-piece shafts in both my sons LWB and my SWB and have had no problems at all.

70short · 01-08-2006, 03:09 PM

What do the newer trucks run? Dont they have one piece drivelines? I run A one piece driveline in my short bed.

Gary

corn · 01-08-2006, 03:15 PM

A friend of mine told me his dad used a suburban driveshaft in his 71. I asked him again to find out the details from his dad. He said its out of a late 73-87 suburban & it bolted right in. I asked him if the 71 has the stock length trans housing in it & he said he will ask his dad. Im still on it, I may just go out there & crawl under it myself to find out. I want one on my long bed too...

Longhorn Man · 01-08-2006, 05:46 PM

A properly repaired 2 pice will be just as strong and offer more flexability than a one piece, but no one wants to go that route.
The new vehicles use one piece shafts, but they are alluminum, and rather large in diameter... like as big as your thigh. ok, as big as a skinney adult male's thigh.
6 feet is the magic number where most places draw the line. A SWB, is no problem, and many came stock with a one piece.
Once you hit 6 feet, a regular mild steel shaft, made in normal diameters, will start to sag a little under it's weight, and then whip at speed. Some shops will do it anyways, and some of those shops really shouldn't do it.
If they make the shaft in thinner metal, and larger diameter, then they know what they are doing, but then you'll have issues with the cross member.
In 73, they moved the engine back further. in addition to that, they started the longh shaft trannys, the two mods together, made a one piece do-able on some models of trucks.

Like I said though, a properly built stock 2 piece shaft will hold more power than your truck will ever make.

Brad · 01-09-2006, 03:14 AM

I had one built for my lwb w/Muncie 3 speed and it worked great for years! I went through 3 carrier bearings in about the same amount of time and I had had enough.

Longhorn Man · 01-09-2006, 06:41 AM

I guess it might be easier than finding what's actually wrong, and addressing the real problem.
A good, high quality, properly installed carrier bearing should last 30 years easily.

**Palf70Step** · 01-09-2006, 06:46 AM

My 96 had a 2 piece shaft. Still haven't figured out why the same year vehicle, Suburban has a 1 piece, but the ext cab had a 2 piece.

yank · 01-09-2006, 08:43 AM

That's odd Bill. the 96 ext cab chevy I had back a few years ago had a one piece dive shaft

. I had to remove the tranny 3 times in it

Lemield · 01-09-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

A properly repaired 2 pice will be just as strong and offer more flexability than a one piece, but no one wants to go that route.
The new vehicles use one piece shafts, but they are alluminum, and rather large in diameter... like as big as your thigh. ok, as big as a skinney adult male's thigh.
6 feet is the magic number where most places draw the line. A SWB, is no problem, and many came stock with a one piece.
Once you hit 6 feet, a regular mild steel shaft, made in normal diameters, will start to sag a little under it's weight, and then whip at speed. Some shops will do it anyways, and some of those shops really shouldn't do it.
If they make the shaft in thinner metal, and larger diameter, then they know what they are doing, but then you'll have issues with the cross member.
In 73, they moved the engine back further. in addition to that, they started the longh shaft trannys, the two mods together, made a one piece do-able on some models of trucks.

Like I said though, a properly built stock 2 piece shaft will hold more power than your truck will ever make.

I agree with Longhorn Man. I had a 70 LWB big block and the PO had installed a M21 4spd and a one piece driveshaft. It was very long and the truck had a nasty vibration at speeds above 40 mph. I had the shaft redone at an excellent shop in the area but it still had a vibration....could have been something besides the shaft. Anyhow, I sold the truck but if I had kept it, I would have put it back to the two piece.

I'm running a one piece in my SWB because I have a Gear Vendors overdrive unit. A two piece in that situation would have made for a VERY short front part of the shaft. So far no problems.

72 Cheyenne402 · 01-09-2006, 10:38 AM

I also have an 05 Silverado extended cab trailoring package and power package it has a 2 piece drive shaft w/ a carier bearing although my 02 swb didn't

**truckdude239** · 01-09-2006, 11:14 AM

when i changed out my transmission i replaced the carrier bearing and i could tell its been on there since 71 and it was still strong i just desided to replace it while everthing was apart. i lornhorn said a good 2 piece driveshfat is just as strong as a one piece

**Palf70Step** · 01-09-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yank

That's odd Bill. the 96 ext cab chevy I had back a few years ago had a one piece dive shaft

. I had to remove the tranny 3 times in it

Was your's a 4wd? I am told the 4wd had one piece and 2wd had two piece. On the original subject and like Longhornman mentioned, they will hold up a long time if set upright. My 96's carrier went out at 140,000 because a yoke on the rear end broke and caused bad stuff to happen.

yank · 01-09-2006, 02:19 PM

Bill no it was 2wd

**Palf70Step** · 01-09-2006, 02:22 PM

Hmmm.. Oh well. Standardization there was not I guess. Maybe it was a GMC vs Chevy thing?...I dunno.

01-08-2006, 04:09 AM	#1
carl609 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 63	one piece driveline Whats the word on changing to a one piece driveline in a long bed? Has anyone done it? Any problems?

01-08-2006, 05:44 AM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: one piece driveline Lot's of driveline shops don't wanna make one that long. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-08-2006, 09:12 AM	#3
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: one piece driveline alot of shops won't make one over i think 69 inches __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-08-2006, 11:04 AM	#4
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,269	Re: one piece driveline I have one in my 72 LWB. So far so good.

01-08-2006, 02:00 PM	#5
1970 CST Short Wide Senior Moment Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburg Ca Posts: 4,185	Re: one piece driveline This subject has come up numerous times here and you'll hear lots of pro's and con's. My suggestion is to go to a reputable driveline shop and have it built the right way. I have one-piece shafts in both my sons LWB and my SWB and have had no problems at all. __________________ 1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2019 GMC Diesil Dually. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565

01-08-2006, 03:09 PM	#6
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	Re: one piece driveline What do the newer trucks run? Dont they have one piece drivelines? I run A one piece driveline in my short bed. Gary __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

01-08-2006, 03:15 PM	#7
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: one piece driveline A friend of mine told me his dad used a suburban driveshaft in his 71. I asked him again to find out the details from his dad. He said its out of a late 73-87 suburban & it bolted right in. I asked him if the 71 has the stock length trans housing in it & he said he will ask his dad. Im still on it, I may just go out there & crawl under it myself to find out. I want one on my long bed too...

01-08-2006, 05:46 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: one piece driveline A properly repaired 2 pice will be just as strong and offer more flexability than a one piece, but no one wants to go that route. The new vehicles use one piece shafts, but they are alluminum, and rather large in diameter... like as big as your thigh. ok, as big as a skinney adult male's thigh. 6 feet is the magic number where most places draw the line. A SWB, is no problem, and many came stock with a one piece. Once you hit 6 feet, a regular mild steel shaft, made in normal diameters, will start to sag a little under it's weight, and then whip at speed. Some shops will do it anyways, and some of those shops really shouldn't do it. If they make the shaft in thinner metal, and larger diameter, then they know what they are doing, but then you'll have issues with the cross member. In 73, they moved the engine back further. in addition to that, they started the longh shaft trannys, the two mods together, made a one piece do-able on some models of trucks. Like I said though, a properly built stock 2 piece shaft will hold more power than your truck will ever make.

01-09-2006, 03:14 AM	#9
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,672	Re: one piece driveline I had one built for my lwb w/Muncie 3 speed and it worked great for years! I went through 3 carrier bearings in about the same amount of time and I had had enough. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

01-09-2006, 06:41 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: one piece driveline I guess it might be easier than finding what's actually wrong, and addressing the real problem. A good, high quality, properly installed carrier bearing should last 30 years easily. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 01-09-2006 at 06:41 AM.

01-09-2006, 06:46 AM	#11
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: one piece driveline My 96 had a 2 piece shaft. Still haven't figured out why the same year vehicle, Suburban has a 1 piece, but the ext cab had a 2 piece. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

01-09-2006, 08:43 AM	#12
yank Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Meridian, Ms. Posts: 244	Re: one piece driveline That's odd Bill. the 96 ext cab chevy I had back a few years ago had a one piece dive shaft . I had to remove the tranny 3 times in it __________________ 70 C/10 SWB Go ahead chance it........Columbus did!!! Steve (Chitlin) Bacon My DIY Shop http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/mpalmiter/shop/

01-09-2006, 10:38 AM	#14
72 Cheyenne402 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 581	Re: one piece driveline I also have an 05 Silverado extended cab trailoring package and power package it has a 2 piece drive shaft w/ a carier bearing although my 02 swb didn't

01-09-2006, 11:14 AM	#15
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: one piece driveline when i changed out my transmission i replaced the carrier bearing and i could tell its been on there since 71 and it was still strong i just desided to replace it while everthing was apart. i lornhorn said a good 2 piece driveshfat is just as strong as a one piece __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-09-2006, 02:19 PM	#17
yank Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Meridian, Ms. Posts: 244	Re: one piece driveline Bill no it was 2wd __________________ 70 C/10 SWB Go ahead chance it........Columbus did!!! Steve (Chitlin) Bacon My DIY Shop http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/mpalmiter/shop/



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01-09-2006, 02:22 PM	#18
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: one piece driveline Hmmm.. Oh well. Standardization there was not I guess. Maybe it was a GMC vs Chevy thing?...I dunno. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 01-09-2006 at 02:22 PM.

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