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.

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.

Re: aluminum drive shaft
 

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

Re: aluminum drive shaft
 

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

Re: aluminum drive shaft
 

Thanks TR65 good info

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.

Re: aluminum drive shaft
 

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

Re: aluminum drive shaft
 

once you go overdrive you won't go back.

Re: aluminum drive shaft
 

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