drive shaft loop

[low '71]

Im fixin up a 71 GMC long box, i want to eliminate the drive shaft loop and keep the stock suspension setup can i simply remove the loop and brace the crossmember that the driveshaft originally ran through and the suspension connects to?



Please ignore spelling errors if there are any

[71tahoe]

What exactly is your goal here?

With enough engineering anything can be done but the end result may give the desired functionality at the cost of something else. That crossmember really needs to remain structurally intact and cutting the top or bottom out of the loop would compromise it. The trailing arms attach there and all the torque from acceleration/deceleration acts on that crosssmember. Also, the carrier bearing still needs that solid attachment point unless you are installing a 1 piece driveshaft.

Can it be done, yes. Should it be done, not in my opinion. Any modification of that member should be "loop" style.

[low '71]

my plan was to get another frame and cut and weld pieces to form a triangle facing the front of the truck should i plan more bracing? (looking to run as much power as the budget allows)

The whole point of eliminating the driveshaft loop was so i could run a stronger one piece driveshaft.

[57sailplane]

dont remove it just modify it. cut the botom of the loop out and extend it down so it clears the one piece drive shaft.. i would reinforce it also...

[stsalvage]

I have a 1968 3 door suburban that is been channled and C notched and its running a 350 with a 400 with a one peace drive shaft and No cutting was done only problem with doing that sence i bought it it some times Vibrates i will show a picture no need for cuttingthis suburban sitting pretty low and has flow masters tucked in right next to it

[low '71]

Thanks for the tips I did not know that it would be possible to actually run the drive shaft through the loop without rubbing thanks again and hope i can help soon


By the way nice truck