aluminum drive shaft - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

NCD1966 · 09-11-2010, 10:42 AM

Im thinking of putting a aluminum drive shaft on my 66 stepside. i removed my (non synchronized) saginaw 3 speed and will be swapping in a saginaw 3 speed with od (synchronized)

The overdrive trans is longer than the original. I dont want to cut up my original drive shaft just in case i want to go back to the original trans.
I thinking of finding a newer truck with a aluminum shaft in the junk yard and using it. I know that the newer trucks are metric. And will need to change the yokes on the ends. But there is a hot rod shop near my house that does alot of custom work. And can do drive shafts. I know the owners really well. I havent talk to them about my idea yet. I just wanted to see what you guys know first.

Has anyone used a new model aluminum shaft on these 60-66 trucks? Also I want to keep a one piece shaft on this truck.
I think it will be a a good idea, less rotation weight and something different.

sams60gmc · 09-11-2010, 01:01 PM

I have a aluminum drive shaft out of an Explorer I belive. Some guy at work gave it to me because he didn't use it in his Jeep. He said the junk yards are filled with good parts due to cash for clunkers. He said he picked it up for 20 bucks. Not sure if I'm going to be able to use it yet or not but it sure looks sweet.

NCD1966 · 09-11-2010, 03:21 PM

might just have to measure the length i need and go hunting

**TR65** · 09-11-2010, 11:55 PM

I am running an SSR aluminum shaft in my 65 with a T56 and original rear end. You can buy conversion u-joints to adapt almost any combination of types. You really just have to get the length right. A drive shaft shop can to that cheap, $65 shortened and balanced for mine.

For GM you are dealing with 1310, 1330, 1350 joints usually, and you can adapt between them with the conversion joints. Here is the list from Spicer.

TR

NCD1966 · 09-12-2010, 12:47 AM

Thanks TR65 good info

murdoc · 09-12-2010, 01:36 AM

i have an aluminum one in my 65 with a 3 speed overdrive. pulled it from a late model ford cargo van i found at my local pick and pull. it was the perfect length, just had to change yokes.

spspspspoon · 03-19-2019, 04:39 PM

Any any way you can remember what Ford van you took that out of

**Chevy Fleetside** · 03-21-2019, 11:27 AM

once you go overdrive you won't go back.

kdad · 03-22-2019, 11:52 AM

you could always go to Dennys and get a new custom for around $455 https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/index.html

09-11-2010, 10:42 AM	#1
NCD1966 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lafayette , La Posts: 404	aluminum drive shaft Im thinking of putting a aluminum drive shaft on my 66 stepside. i removed my (non synchronized) saginaw 3 speed and will be swapping in a saginaw 3 speed with od (synchronized) The overdrive trans is longer than the original. I dont want to cut up my original drive shaft just in case i want to go back to the original trans. I thinking of finding a newer truck with a aluminum shaft in the junk yard and using it. I know that the newer trucks are metric. And will need to change the yokes on the ends. But there is a hot rod shop near my house that does alot of custom work. And can do drive shafts. I know the owners really well. I havent talk to them about my idea yet. I just wanted to see what you guys know first. Has anyone used a new model aluminum shaft on these 60-66 trucks? Also I want to keep a one piece shaft on this truck. I think it will be a a good idea, less rotation weight and something different. __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 Stepside 355ci sbc with 3speed OD 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 6.2 1980 Chevy Camaro z28 383ci 1990 Chevy Suburban 350 tbi 2x4 (sold) 1984 Chevy C10 sliverado short fleet 1997 Chevy C1500 short fleet Last edited by NCD1966; 09-11-2010 at 10:42 AM.

09-11-2010, 01:01 PM	#2
sams60gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Washington Posts: 726	Re: aluminum drive shaft I have a aluminum drive shaft out of an Explorer I belive. Some guy at work gave it to me because he didn't use it in his Jeep. He said the junk yards are filled with good parts due to cash for clunkers. He said he picked it up for 20 bucks. Not sure if I'm going to be able to use it yet or not but it sure looks sweet. __________________ 1960 GMC short fleet, full frame build... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=329718

09-11-2010, 03:21 PM	#3
NCD1966 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lafayette , La Posts: 404	Re: aluminum drive shaft might just have to measure the length i need and go hunting __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 Stepside 355ci sbc with 3speed OD 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 6.2 1980 Chevy Camaro z28 383ci 1990 Chevy Suburban 350 tbi 2x4 (sold) 1984 Chevy C10 sliverado short fleet 1997 Chevy C1500 short fleet

09-12-2010, 12:47 AM	#5
NCD1966 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lafayette , La Posts: 404	Re: aluminum drive shaft Thanks TR65 good info __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 Stepside 355ci sbc with 3speed OD 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 6.2 1980 Chevy Camaro z28 383ci 1990 Chevy Suburban 350 tbi 2x4 (sold) 1984 Chevy C10 sliverado short fleet 1997 Chevy C1500 short fleet

09-12-2010, 01:36 AM	#6
murdoc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: nampa, idaho Posts: 332	Re: aluminum drive shaft i have an aluminum one in my 65 with a 3 speed overdrive. pulled it from a late model ford cargo van i found at my local pick and pull. it was the perfect length, just had to change yokes.

03-19-2019, 04:39 PM	#7
spspspspoon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: New Orleans Posts: 30	Re: aluminum drive shaft Any any way you can remember what Ford van you took that out of

03-21-2019, 11:27 AM	#8
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: aluminum drive shaft once you go overdrive you won't go back. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

03-22-2019, 11:52 AM	#9
kdad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Hollister, California Posts: 230	Re: aluminum drive shaft you could always go to Dennys and get a new custom for around $455 https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/index.html __________________ Check out my build here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768039 She may not be the prom queen but at least she puts out..



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