72 Chevy C-10, Drive Shaft Conversion?

[Ironangel]

Howdy all, What is needed to install a one piece drive shaft? Ill be keeping the 350 sb below 400hp and using a turbo 350 tranny. Any hints or ideas? Thanks!

[brothers69c-10]

I know it really can't be done unless the truck is either lowered or you will have to chop that crossmemebr where the carrieir bearing bolts too. bobbo has a one piece in his and i think he has a 4 inch drop, i will be doing the same with my 69.

[Tx Firefighter]

That is incorrect. I have had plenty of these trucks with 1 pieces driveshafts and not lowered. You just can't use one of those big 4 inch diameter shafts like late model trucks use.

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That is incorrect. I have had plenty of these trucks with 1 pieces driveshafts and not lowered. You just can't use one of those big 4 inch diameter shafts like late model trucks use.

I wonder if a fella Plated/beefed-up and cut out the bottom of the cross member opening to allow maximum clearance for the shaft? I kinda like those 4-5"dia. aluminium shafts........doable?

[Tx Firefighter]

Seems like a reasonable idea if you wanted to do the work.

[57larry]

I used a 1 piece driveshaft from a S10, don't remember what yr

[big_al_71]

I also have a one piece in my truck with a 406hp close to 500 hp and a turbo 350 lowered six inches. I did trim the center support where the old two piece used to go thru. I went to a place named "miami driveline" the man asked me to measure the lenght between the tail housing and the differential and he asked horsepower,torque. He built me a driveshaft and he guaranteed me that it will hold up to 1000 hp guaranteed. He only charged me $250.00 if I remember correctly. It has been there for a year and 1/2 with zero issues...

[grs]

My 69 is lowered 4 inches in the rear. I put a 3 inch, one piece drive shaft in it.
I had to take out the bracket that the carrier bearing bolted to. I removed the rivets, removed the bracket, and saved it.

[brad_man_72]

Originally Posted by brothers69c-10

I know it really can't be done unless the truck is either lowered or you will have to chop that crossmemebr where the carrieir bearing bolts too. bobbo has a one piece in his and i think he has a 4 inch drop, i will be doing the same with my 69.

i built bobbos 1 piece driveshaft, and 3, 1 piece driveshafts for my 67. im pretty sure they are all 3" in diameter
as long as you dont have any clearance issues its not a problem. a few of these trucks came w 1 piece driveshafts from the factory.

any reason for switching to a 1 piece driveshaft?

[Longhorn Man]

are we talking a short wheel base, or a long one?
On a LWB, I would stick with the 2 piece, it's stronger and more versitile.

[brothers69c-10]

I agree that a two piece is more versatile, but how in the world is it stronger, have you seen the size of those carrier bearings?! Just one more thing to put stress on.

Another thought yeah you can have a 5 inch diameter driveshaft but if the wall of the tube is only a 1/16 of an inch thick not doing you much good. Look at alot of the new 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and compare the diameter of those tubes with a 1/2 ton. Generally they are smaller, but have alot thicker tube wall.

[grs]

I had a one piece drive shaft made. I was told that the wall thickness was smaller then the 2 piece. But the one piece was stronger.

[Ironangel]

Im sticking with the two piece for now. The truck is a LWB C-10 with a stock 2bbl 350sb. I was wondering and thinking that a one piece shaft would be stronger and deliver a direct connect without torquing the grommet around the carrier bearing. Does anyone fill the rubber grommet with grease? I found a piece of paper instructing to do so. Do you "inject" the grease with a needle tip on the grease gun? Thanks for the comments and input keep them coming!