D-shaft shortening, does this seem high?

[Hawssie]

I need to get my driveshaft shortened in my 70 C10 as I changed from a turbo 350 to a 4l60e. I went to our local Driveline Service in Pittsburg, Ca. to get a quote. With 3 new U joints and around 4 inches off the front half of the 2 piece drive shaft and then balancing they quoted me $227. I have never gone to anyone else for D-shaft work and they do a great job, use only Spicer parts, but I always wondered if they are kinda high priced or not.

[s_nova69]

Driveline work is always painful. I just did the same thing except a 700r4 and the work minus new joints was 90. I did buy a new joint and it was 28.

That being said it doesn't seem to far off from SLC prices.
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[TBONE1964]

Are they replacing the center support bearing also? The parts alone would cost close to $100.00, so another $127.00 for balancing and labor does not sound like a bad deal. The most important thing is that you are happy with the service they provide.

[1972SUPERSB]

Yeah that price sounds good to me with the new parts and labor
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[msgdsrf]

I found that switching to a balanced one piece to actually be a little less expensive.

[Dunenutt]

Quality is what counts, but that sounds reasonable to me. I had one built for my truck, and it was $650! But it's just a bit special, LOL.

[brad_man_72]

Cut n weld 2 piece ballance. $95
Plus 3 joints w labor. $165
Plus Carrier bearing and labor. $195
Labor kinda gets less as we do more work because its redundant.
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[allons]

@msgdsrf . . . do I understand you correctly that you changed from a 2 piece drive shaft to a 1 piece? I've got a LWB with a 2 piece that I would really like to get to a 1 piece but didn't know if it was do-able. How did you spec if out?

[JointTech]

i paid $300 to have my yoke switched (it was bad) and shaft balanced. Sounds like about the same amount of work to shorten it so that price doesnt seem bad to me.
oh and they put in the ujoints and carrier bearing.

[brad_man_72]

Originally Posted by allons

@msgdsrf . . . do I understand you correctly that you changed from a 2 piece drive shaft to a 1 piece? I've got a LWB with a 2 piece that I would really like to get to a 1 piece but didn't know if it was do-able. How did you spec if out?

Trans yoke, 1310 ujoints, 1310 3.5x.083 weld yokes and tubing. I've built a couple dozen of them no problems.

Tailshaft to center of rear joint measurement or -2.5 for center to center with that trans.
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[chevy72blu]

I paid $130 to have my shaft shortened, balanced, and new u-joints installed. But, I used to work there and may have gotten a better price. I think normally it would have been around $175.

Doesnt sound unreasonable to me if they do good work

[Hawssie]

Thanks for the input. I am actually glad that it doesn't sound like a bad deal because like I said i have always been happy with their work! To answer a few of the comments No I am not changing to one piece just shortening the front half of a stock 2 piece. (Thought about going 1 piece and If I do anything else to the drivetrain in the future I prob. will.) and I am not replacing the center bearing as we both agreed it looks OK. So the amount is for 3 u-joints plus installation, shortening and balancing. I hate changing u joints myself anyways!

[Classic Heartbeat]

Just paid $600.00 to have a single piece driveline built for a 72 3/4 ton 4x4. WES

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Driveline specialties in Pittsburg are the only place I would have work on a drive shaft. They have done 2 or 3 for me and were perfect every time. I highly recommend them.