70.25" Carbon Fiber Driveshaft

[spddm0n]

Hey all -

I recently acquired an '83 C10 2WD long bed truck and it had a carbon fiber driveshaft that came with it. The drive shaft is 70.25" long (joint to joint)! This seems to be quite long, compared with most of the discussion I read about, regarding driveshaft length. Is this the length of an OEM driveshaft?

The truck is originally a manual transmission chassis, though it had a Turbo 350 in the bed when I acquired it. The transmission had a 6" tail shaft, so I'm not certain of how all the dimensions equate, but I'm wondering if this driveshaft could be used on this truck.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[74CustomK20]

Original it should of.been a 2 piece, but I can't help if it'll work. I've never seen a carbon fiber driveshaft, post some pics!

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

Original it should of.been a 2 piece, but I can't help if it'll work. I've never seen a carbon fiber driveshaft, post some pics!

My '81 C10 long bed is a one piece. What decided what got 2 pieces.

[spddm0n]

Hey -

Thanks for the replies! Interesting...I did find the OEM GM driveshaft (was also in the back of the truck when I acquired it). It is a two-piece with a carrier bearing between the two pieces. I just measured it's complete length and it's even longer! 80.25" (joint to joint). It was more difficult to get my measuring tape along the side of it due to the carrier bearing, so this measurement could be off by 1/4" or so.

I'm wondering if the setup that the previous owner planned for this required a 70.25" driveshaft, or if this is some kind of "common" size.

Here are some pics of the driveshaft.

[74CustomK20]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

My '81 C10 long bed is a one piece. What decided what got 2 pieces.

Could.be a year thing, as mine was a 73. Maybe it's the auto to manual legnth? If I remember right aren't auto's like a foot longer? Haven't had an auto truck in a long time lol

[spddm0n]

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

Could.be a year thing, as mine was a 73. Maybe it's the auto to manual legnth? If I remember right aren't auto's like a foot longer? Haven't had an auto truck in a long time lol

Good question. The auto's could be longer. Interesting...
Do the various rear axles have the same geometry, in general, I wonder?

[74CustomK20]

Originally Posted by spddm0n

Good question. The auto's could be longer. Interesting...
Do the various rear axles have the same geometry, in general, I wonder?

I would assume. Whatever they could do to keep costs down makes sense to me.

[Tom]

My 78 shortbed stepside with manual trans had a 2pc driveshaft from the factory. I went to the junkyard and got a 1pc shaft from a th350 shortbed truck and put it on without mods. Same shaft worked with my sm465 and current M20.

[cadillac_al]

I'll bet it's spare parts from another vehicle.

[95 S_Trucker]

FYI, that isn’t carbon fiber. It’s aluminum. The plastic coating is to reduce sound and vibration.

Those driveshafts were first used on the gmt400 trucks.

72” or less is an acceptable length for a one piece drive shaft.