1 pc driveshaft for LWB?

[Burnsman]

I'm getting ready to drop in the motor/trans (355/T-10 4spd) in my 67 Long Bed and wanted to know if I can get a 1 piece driveshaft made. I have had lots of driveshafts made, but was worried about the length and any interference with the carrier bearing crossmember (it's a coil truck too). Any insight to this would be helpful. Thanks!

[Crank]

Um, I believe there will be people who will wanna throw a B!tch fit, because of the length, as far as the carrier bearing goes, just trim it out a lil bit to fit, I've seen it done before...Others should have some insight, Do you have any pics of your rides?
Brandon

[StingRay]

I've never done it myself but when I look at the tailshaft on my th350 and draw a line to the yoke on the diff I can't imagine being able to jack the truck up or to have the rear suspension drop on a bad bump and not bend that shaft where it passes through the cross member. If it's a coil truck I wouldn't advise trimming the opening either. Your rear control arms bolt on there and it's the very heart of the rear suspension. If it's a leaf truck I'd be less concerned about opening up the hole and then adding gussets. All of this of course could change a bit when a 700r4 is used as it moves that pivot point back and it may be just enough to make the difference. Another possible exception is if you are running the V8 in the I6 position as it is also further back. As previously mentioned it would also be a long shaft for a one piece shaft..... 700r4 and I6 position once again possible exceptions .

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

I was wondering the same thing, and have seen it done on here somewhere, can't remember now. From the pictures I saw there was plenty of room for movement and he said he didnt have any vibrations. With a lot of power I bet the longer shaft will start to wobble or twist apart easier. I have a 72 C20 long bed.

[Burnsman]

I was just worried about breaking the carrier bearing setup or wearing it out quickly. I have always gotten mondo (big dia and chromoly tubing) driveshafts made for higher horsepower stuff. Even though the driveshaft is long, I felt that the thicker wall and bigger dia would make up for it. Just wondering if this would fit.

[FrankHoy]

Here is a thread by Ricks that may be of interest.

Vendor thread for one piece drive shaft

[Slammed67]

F.Y.I. - My '67 GMC long bed came from the factory with a 1-piece driveshaft (350V6, 3-speed manual trans, leaf springs).

[Burnsman]

Were the leaf spring trucks all one piece? I know my 69 GMC 3/4 4x4 has a 1 piece rear driveshaft. I tore a 69 3/4 4x4 apart last fall that had the carrier bearing. Every other long bed I have had has been 2 piece. Maybe some people will shed some more light...................

[bigskiohio]

73 and up used 1 piece shafts, right?

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Frank, the driveshaft hes selling is just the rear half of the two piece shaft for lowered trucks.

The 73 up also had a two piece shaft, at least the ones I have seen were. I had a 76 3/4 ton 4x4 that had a one piece but they are shorter shafts since the transfer case takes up quite a bit of room to. I would buy a one piece shaft if one was for sale to fit a 127" wheelbase 2wd truck.

[1969 GMC]

my GMC had a 2 pc driveshaft originally, with 465/221. the 465/205 setup is longer, and I assumed all 4x4's with the 205 had a 1 pc.

[71sub]

I've ran a one-piece in my 72 Cheyenne w/ a 700r4 w/o a problem or modifications ...

When my 72 burnt up -- and I bought my current 71 Chevy, that had been converted to leaf spring and Ford 9", I had the one-piece installed w/o any modifications nor problems ...

As mentioned earlier, I've only done this w/ 700r4 tranny's ....

FYI

Ev

[bigskiohio]

I just swapped parts off a 1980 gmc to 70 c10 didn't use the one piece off of 80 because it was to long .

[crazy longhorn]

Originally posted by Crank
Um, I believe there will be people who will wanna throw a B!tch fit, because of the length, as far as the carrier bearing goes, just trim it out a lil bit to fit, I've seen it done before...Others should have some insight, Do you have any pics of your rides?
Brandon

Amen! most reputable shops will tell you that about 71" center to center on the caps is about max lenght on the shaft (without problems), & would like to build it about 5" diam. if you set that sb in on I 6 stands, you should be about where you need to be on lenght for the shaft. A 1 pc on my 133" wb Longhorn is not possible, even with the sb in I 6 position.....the shaft would need to be 74-75" long.....deduct 6" from that lenght for wb differences, & you should be just within the guidelines for max lenght. Good luck,crazyL

[jimfulco]

I just junked an '84 LWB (10-bolt rear end) that had a one-piece shaft. It measures 70-1/8" center-to-center.

[Brad]

I have an I6 (in the I6 position, duh!) along with the stock 3speed muncie tranny and have had a 1-piece in there for about 5 years with no problem. There are several heated discussions on this over the last couple years (maybe do a search).
All you have to do is take out the entire mount that the carrier bearing bolts up to and viola-you'll get it to fit. It will make sense to you once you get under the truck. I even have the truck lowered 4/5 and have never bent or had a problem with it. I was changing carrier bearings anually and got sick of it!

[Burnsman]

I think I'm going to try it. I'll probably wait a while until I get it lowered and see how everything lines up first. Thanks for the replies. Brian

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Nice car in your avatar burnsman. I love that style Camaro.

[Burnsman]

Me too. Too bad I sold it about a month ago to a guy in Michigan. It was one scary ride on the street. 843 HP on motor and set-up for 300HP of nitrous. I needed the room/money to complete my chevelle. Hopefully it will be done in a few months. Just finishing up a few details.