WTB: Driveshafts for shortbed conversion

[RicksTrucks]

A friend of mine is in Iraq right now, but will be returning soon for R&R and would like to move his son's longbed stuff over to a short frame and needs new drive shafts. It is a inline 6 with a TH-350 transmission (I think short tail but am trying to confirm). I am going down to Texas Friday and would like to drop it off so he doesn't have to waste any of his R&R finding parts.

I measured the two piece on my 69 - I have a 350 eng with TH'350 tranny that has a 6 inch tail. The front shaft was 25 inches from center to center and the rear is 35 center to center. I would assume the tranny is in the same place whether it is a 6 or 8 cylinder, but please correct me if I am wrong.

Would like to find one close by or on my way to the Ft. Hood area and priced reasonably too. Thanks.

[67sss]

just a fyi for you....my 1 pc came from a dodge van. I just measured center of cup to center of cup and went to the wrecking yard and found one. You have probably 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to mess with, as the yoke slips into the tranny and theres that much room. Hope this helps.

[RicksTrucks]

I am also trying to discover when the one piece should be used and when the two piece is required.

[Joe67]

My 72 shortbed chassis came ready for a 2piece driveshaft, but I plan to run a one piece.

Another alternative is have a driveshaft made. Plan to spend $250 or so for something like that.

[RicksTrucks]

Originally Posted by Joe67

My 72 shortbed chassis came ready for a 2piece driveshaft, but I plan to run a one piece.

Another alternative is have a driveshaft made. Plan to spend $250 or so for something like that.

Can you tell me if his has the option of running either one? Is the difference the type of carrier bearing you use?

[HuggerCST]

Hey Rick, I have a couple of 2 piece shafts laying around, and I think a couple of one piece shafts too, but I would have to check. You can use either shaft, the one piece ones just have fewer joints and parts to wear out, or break. Come buy this '67, and I'll throw one in!

[RicksTrucks]

Originally Posted by HuggerCST

Hey Rick, I have a couple of 2 piece shafts laying around, and I think a couple of one piece shafts too, but I would have to check. You can use either shaft, the one piece ones just have fewer joints and parts to wear out, or break. Come buy this '67, and I'll throw one in!

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by RicksTrucks

Can you tell me it his has the option of running either one? Is the difference the type of carrier bearing you use?

I don't see why not.
I don't know much about carrier bearings, my 72 chassis had one and I sold it here.

[PICKMUP]

I have had several SWBs with six eng & TH350s...all of them came with the one-pc driveshaft. All of the SWB V8 TH350s I have had came with 2-pc.
I still have one of those six cyl driveshafts saved here. Might be a little flakey to ship though.

[RicksTrucks]

Originally Posted by PICKMUP

I have had several SWBs with six eng & TH350s...all of them came with the one-pc driveshaft. All of the SWB V8 TH350s I have had came with 2-pc.
I still have one of those six cyl driveshafts saved here. Might be a little flakey to ship though.

That sounds like a pattern to me. Maybe that is the way it goes. He may be putting a V-8 in later, said the 6 is starting to smoke and deciding whether to rebuild or move up to an 8. Thanks for the info.