Keep single drive shaft?

[F-100Ranger]

My 68 lwb has a transplant FE engine, and drive shaft. I know it's the wrong engine because it has the wrong oil pan - it's a car engine.

Seems the FMX isn't stock either cause it has the splined sliding U-joint, not the bolt on, and it has a single drive shaft.

It all seemed to work well. I'm keeping the FMX and going to rebuild it.

We're there ever FMXs in the F-100? What's everyone's opinion on keeping the single drive shaft?

[fordman]

yes the fmx was a truck transmission also. i would keep the single driveshaft. why spend extra money to make a swap like that. the swb came stock with a single driveshaft.

[F-100Ranger]

thanks Fordman

[l1k2gadd]

I believe a carrier and two-piece driveshaft in the LWB trucks, like the one you say you have, were originally thought to damper vibrations that could be caused by a real long one piece driveshaft. The Dentside and E Series vans of the mid to late 70s through the 90s had the long one-piece driveshafts and it didn't seem to make much of a difference in the ride, if Ford has kept them that way all these years. My mom's '89 E150 actually has what looks like an aluminum one-piece driveshaft, and it's very lightweight when I had it out to do u-joints. If you aren't having any vibration problems from the one-piece driveshaft I don't see a reason to change it out either.

[F-100Ranger]

It wan't giving me any problems before I tore it down, so I'll keep it that way - but found a drive shaft shop who said he could make me a new aluminum one for under $200. Claims it will be stronger and perfectly balanced.

[FLATBEDFORD]

A new or rebuilt shaft is pretty amazing. I had mine redone last year. The truck is so much smoother. The first time I drove it, I thought I was in a new truck. $200 for a new drive shaft is a bargain, and you will notice what a perfectly balanced shaft feels like.

[ford4x4fun]

My way of thinking... (I HATE CHANGING U JOINTS) less parts to go bad... The BETTER!!!!