Long Box performance issues...

[JasonT]

Hi there,

Well I managed to scrounge up some cash to spend on my truck and looking for some go fast parts. But im just wondering two things about long beds: How does the two piece drive shaft handle power (can it be replaced/beefed up) and what do you have to do (if anything) to the drive shaft if lowering it. Im mostly concerned about that center point where it goes through that bearing and just wondering if the angle there gets messed up by lowering.

Sorry if this has been discussed here before, i tried to search but my computer hates that button.

-Jason

[truckdude239]

alot of people will recomend replaceing the 2 piece with a one piece but i dont believe that get a good high quility carreir bearing. if you get a good one it will handle i pulled the orginal carrer bearing off my driveshaft about 8 months ago it was still strong just wanted to replace it. replacement bearing lasted 6 months tried anthoner brand it seems alot stronger but the key is to take it to a driveshaft shop get it balanced and a bearing they carry at the shop just my $.02

[MisterMan]

just droped mine, hand full of bolts, 30 min. tops of work and it was out!!. truck was a farmers truck and he pulled more trailers with it than i can count to. took it to las vegas nevada at least 3 times he can remember.... ne wayz.... never did a thing to the truck and the u joints were worn, yet still tight... center bering was in amazing condition!!!

theres a difference between these trucks and moderns, 1, YOU can work on them, and 2, they last. i would reccomend beefing it up if ur going 400 hp+....lowering... i have no idea, im not the one to ask.

[jimmydean]

I looked at replacing my driveline and it was $350 with u-joints for a custom solid. I haven't had any issues with mine, but I'm only at about 325hp or so. The driveline shop said that they have never seen issues with 2wd Chevys, but some people like to go with something either lighter or a bit stiffer.

[72 CustomCamper]

Won't ever lower mine, but my 2 piece driveshaft has had over 400 ft/lbs of torque run through it for a few years and still has the original 1972 u joints with almost 500000 miles on them...


Chuck

[Longhorn Man]

I've seen a LWB C/10 haulin down the track and clicked a very high 12 second 1/4 mile time, with a slick on the right rear... never an issue with the drive shaft...except that he got kicked off the track after that pass since there was no shaft safety loop, tech guy even told him to get 2 of them before returning.
I spend a tic over 200 bucks getting my shaft done up by a local shop. New HD carrier bearing, and 3 new sealed U-joints, sanded and painted, then ballanced.
Even with as cheap as I am...it was money well spent.

[nxtruck]

Check out pgs. 4 & 5 of the " Ran an 11.44 @ 118 " thread below. I think you may find some answers to your questions. For what it's worth, I ran the factory 2-piece in my '66 lwb Chevy and ran 6.70s in the 1/8. The 421 sbc in this truck makes around 630 hp without the nitrous, and the truck weighed right @ 4000 lbs when I had that shaft in it. I ended up putting a 1-piece in it, basically because I was a little afraid of the 2-piece.

[409biscayne]

You're so right about these trucks lasting a long time , in comparison my '05 Ram has already had 4 u - joints replaced . Mine went 70k , which is further than most . Anyway back to the question , my '68 bbc which i race most weekends has never had any driveshaft related problems . New u-j's , center brg , and re-balanced . Good to go .