driveshaft to short now

[windmill]

ok my truck WAS coil spring been lowered 4 inchs,,,, now switched to leaf springs now at reg height,,, now the driveshaft is to short,,, would that be right?
thanks for any info....

[windmill]

no the yoke is outside the trans now,,, i have a 200r4 trans.. it looks like its about 2-1/2 inches off now from where the smooth place on the yoke was. where it was in the trans is a better of a way to put it.....

also i is a 1 piece driveshaft... i need one about 57-1/2 to 59 inches

would they be that much diff changeing from coils to leafs?

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by windmill

also i is a 1 piece driveshaft... i need one about 57-1/2 to 59 inches

I'm sure someone will chime in that has had both. There is a good chance that where they mount on a trailing arm vs a spring can create that much difference. I can tell you one thing: There is NO WAY a driveline in the range of 2.5 inches can be right. I just went through this when putting a ferd 9" in the back of my Camaro. You want about a min of 3/4 of an inch to 1" fromt the end of the yoke (where it would bottom out when pushed in all the way) to the seal. If 59" is correct and you get one that is 57.5 as stated above, you are going to have some serious vibration problems. You have maybe a plus or minus of 1/4 inch to be safe. Now I'm sure someone will jump in here in a minute and say they have 2 inches out and there is no problem but that is not doing it the correct way.

[Lee H]

Any change in suspension will change the drive shaft length.
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[windmill]

i'll just find another driveshaft to fix the differance,,,,, i was just wondering if they was that much diff between the too setups.... i'm prob going to order the 4 inch drop springs from cpp and then get a driveshaft... to be on the safe side...

the driveshaft needs to be at least 2 inches to get it where it was before the change,, in the trans...

[brad_man_72]

if it is the same rear end and the wheel is in the correct place in the wheel opening the shaft shouldn't hae changed that much. We all know just because it should be doesn't mean it is. I'd do some double checking.
what was your measurement, tailshaft to center or center to center. If you already have a 3" or 3.5" driveshaft you may be able to have it retubed and ballanced. More money than a junkyard shaft but alot less hassle.
if you do find a diff driveshaft and have to swap out the trans yoke you should have the driveshaft reballanced.

[prostreetC-10]

It's certainly one area you want done right!

[windmill]

the change was 72 coil setup to a 71 gmc setup,, i used everthing from the 71 gmc rear end and all.. nothing was used from the coil setup... the coil setup was lowered 4 inches(springs) and the leaf setup is stock... for now.. just hate to get driveshaft now and lower it 4 inch and be a differance in shaft length....

[prostreetC-10]

which is why you wait.

[cdowns]

if there was a substantial change it is a result of not placing the rearend in the same location as where it was// doing a mod like that requires constant measuring marking remeasuring many many times during the process

[BIGKEV]

Originally Posted by cdowns

if there was a substantial change it is a result of not placing the rearend in the same location as where it was// doing a mod like that requires constant measuring marking remeasuring many many times during the process

Or It could be that it is a different rear axle all together and has a shorter pinion. Also the suspension geometry is COMPLETELY different from coil to leaf is totally different.

[prostreetC-10]

Which means that you will need to compare the trans angle and new pinion agle to make sure they are correct or you might have to use some pinion angle shims. This is only checked and done when final ride height is accomplished.

[windmill]

well i ordered from cpp the 3 inch drop springs and already oedered the 1 to 2 inch shackles, should be here monday and prob wed of next week. i will change them and check for driveshaft lenght,,, from what i get right now is i need 2 inch longer driveshaft to be where i was before.. its hard to believe that they arethat much diff from coils to leafs. i know i'm not 2 inches off on the front perches. the guy from cpp said they would be some diff in lenght of the driveshaft when i lower it, but not that much. anyways till next week for the stuff to come in.... hey thanks for all the help guys....

[JORGIE95961]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Any change in suspension will change the drive shaft length.
Posted via Mobile Device

x2
THE PO OF MY TRUCK LOWERD IT .. SO I KEPT BUSTIN U JOINTS UNTIL I SHORTENED THE SHAFT
MINE WAS A TWO PIECE

[prostreetC-10]

I really lucked out when I swapped the 250 6 cyl and the SM 465 for the BBC and M-22. The combo was long enough that I was able to take out the slip portion of my stock one piece driveline and have a true one piece made. Thing is bullet proof. Here is it along side a 1st Gen Camaro shaft.

[windmill]

ok guy's heres what i came up with on the short driveshaft,,, special thanks to zoomin for the close up pics,,,,,,, i have the leaf spring in backwards.... i seen whatit finally was the little brace around the leafs goes up front instead of the rear.... now if someone has some off that could measure to see if they are a differance from the dial pin to each end.... thanks for any help....