LWB is it a 2 piece or 1 piece propshaft?

[uber cool]

Have a LWB pickup, but the propshaft is missing. Is the original a 1 or 2 piece propshaft? and anyone have any photos? I'm in the UK so wont be easy to find a propshafy for a C10. So I'll have to make or adapt something to fit

[jayoldschool]

Stock is a 2 pc. Here's shots as I rebuilt mine.





If yours is missing, I would consider grabbing a one piece from a late model LWB extended cab, and have it shortened (and the correct yokes installed)

[uber cool]

thanks that helps a lot :-)

[Captainfab]

On a long wheelbase I prefer the 2 piece heavy duty driveshaft. The one that jayoldschool posted is the light duty version. Those carrier bearings have a bad reputation. If you do go with a 1 piece, it will need to be of sufficient diameter that it does not flex and fail.

[jayoldschool]

Yep, here's how my carrier looked when I took it off:



The late model shafts are aluminum, and 4" tube diameter. I'm going to have one shortened for my T56 equipped car, in 6th gear on the highway, driveshaft speed is 4400rpm!

[uber cool]

ok thanks, looking at get one off a uk van, something like a transit, these seem to be 2 piece also

[jayoldschool]

A good idea, I realize you are restricted on the used options. You can build a mount for anything in the centre, and there are conversion yokes for whatever you need to adapt.

[bowtied4life]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

A good idea, I realize you are restricted on the used options. You can build a mount for anything in the centre, and there are conversion yokes for whatever you need to adapt.

I have a 65GMC and it was a 2 piece. I installed a 1 piece shaft about 12 years ago, and have not had a problem with it. I took the center post out. Replaced the V6 with a 383 stroker.

[mixermike]

My 63 lwb came with a one piece. 3.5" diameter..after I made a transmission change I had a new driveshaft built and went 4" diameter.

[Improbcat]

I have a related question, I'm putting in a longer transmission(long-tailshaft 3spd overdrive from a car), which driveshaft do I get shortened? Front or rear? I was thinking front, but for some reason I have this idea that rear is the correct one and I don't know why.

[jayoldschool]

Front.

[rustbucket66]

Jayoldschool, your centre yoke on the front driveshaft on the bench is 90 degrees out of phase. It will cause a vibration for sure. Always mark the way it came off when you take it apart to change the hanger bearing. The front yoke and the midship yoke should line up with each other. There are 2 ways that the midship yoke can be on there to be in phase, put it on in phase (lining up with the front yoke) and turn it 180 degrees it will line up also. The balance weights on the shaft are installed for one of those 2 ways. You have a 50/ 50 chance of having it on right when you put it back on. If it is on wrong you have the heavy side and the balance weight on the same side, which makes it worse. I suggest you take it to a driveline shop for balancing, they will show you what I am talking about. That is why it is so important to mark the position of the midship yoke before you take it apart. Then when you put it back on after replacing the bearing, you don't need it balanced again. Hope this helps.

[rustbucket66]

One more thing, always mark the yoke out of the trans with how it was in the driveshaft also, (2 different ways it can go on) to maintain the way it was balanced. Notice on the picture on the bench how the solid rear shaft has the yokes lining up with each other (in phase), and the front shaft has them 90 degrrees out.