Measuring for 2 piece Drive shaft

[DCOOKE62]

I have contacted a local drive shaft shop about getting a new 2 piece drive shaft made. I got the reference points for which I need to measure. My question is I know that need to have the frame at ride height and "loaded" meaning that the frame should not be hanging. I currently have my cab off of the frame so do I need to put the cab back on the frame and take my measurements or can I just measure with the frame at ride height without the cab? Thanks for your help.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Not sure what you are doing.. But I can tell you that I removed my two piece unit and installed a one piece when I put the TKO in years ago. Never a issue. I know that some state it will not work over time etc. But not the first one that I have seen in a truck with a long box. Simple less parts and you get to toss that carrier bearing.

[Sick5]

one piece is the way to go.

[losthope]

Originally Posted by DCOOKE62

My question is I know that need to have the frame at ride height and "loaded" meaning that the frame should not be hanging.

"loaded" or "under load" means that the rear end cant be hanging! So if you jack up your truck you want the jack stands under the rear end as if the tires were on the ground with the weight of the truck compressing the springs when you take your measurements....I would think that you would want all the weight of the cab and bed on the frame to get the right weight compressing on the suspension.....but thats just my 2 cents someother guys might chime in with more of a answer..

[benwah]

Yes crawl under te truck when its on all fours . Measure the center of the u-joint on the rear to the center of the u-joint off the transmission.

[DCOOKE62]

Thanks guys but maybe I should clarify a little. I have a 1963 c10 with front and rear Dropmember so I have to use a 2 piece drive shaft. The more I think about it seems like the weight of the cab and bed would be irrelevant. If I set the truck to ride height and measure and then I put the cab back on I should be able to return to the same ride height only I would have to have more air in the bag. Please keep comments coming any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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[Sick5]

5 inches from the ground to the frame. use the flat part of the frameby the cab mount.
i have on my page a picture on how to measure the two piece

[Sick5]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=499448&page=6


#136

and thats having the pinion angle at zero

[creep]

When I had mine done they asked for these measurements: from the back of the tailshaft housing to the center of the carrier bearing and from the center of the carrier bearing to the pinion yoke, what would be the center uf the U-joint, at full drop, ride height and full lift.
So a total of 4 measurements.

[jonzcustomshop]

wouldnt the "slip joint" at the front of the rear shaft take up an slack in the frame hieght unloaded? the slip joint on my stock 63 is about 8 inches long