Two piece Driveline in F250

[Salt-shaker]

Good-afternoon , Has anyone considered eliminating the two piece drive line in the F250 trucks and installing a single? I can see some possible advantages such as a reduced number of u-joints, center support bearing, and less rear drive line angle. In general less to wear out or fail . Any thoughts on this Idea?

[fordman]

the newer trucks have a single piece driveshaft. you may or may not have to change your pinion angle for such a swap.

[Salt-shaker]

Thank you Fordman, Like always you are there with helpful advice, I will crawl under a late model and take a peek at what they have, perhaps a bolt in...Steve

[FORDification]

IMO the few 'micro-advantages' won't offset the larger disadvantage....that the very long driveshaft will be hard to balance and keep balanced. Since your truck is a LWB, if the transmission is still what came from the factory, it'll have a bolt-on yoke. This means you'll have to find (or build) a long slip-joint driveshaft.

I don't see why you couldn't just install new high-quality U-joints and carrier bearing and keep 'em lubed up....and you'd more than likely never have to worry about them again.

[Salt-shaker]

Hi Fordification. I believe your thoughts are good advice..I was just kicking the idea around as my current stuff is worn out. I did crawl under a 1999 Ford here at work and sure enough it has a one piece with a slip yoke, I got a measurement, its 65 3/8 center to center which might work with my C6 460ci combination as it uses a slip yoke. I will check later tonight..BUT guess what I found during my probe under the 1999 Ford F250, a Disc brake rear end with a 45 1/2 inch center to center perch location and a approximate 69 1/2 overall width flange to flange.. More measuring to do now.. perhaps a rear upgrade..Fantastic site you put together..MANY THANKS to ALL who respond to my crazy ideas..Salt-shaker

[68 BB Bump]

I put a one piece in my 68' 460 2wd. The Driveline shop I used recommended not going over 67-68 inches with a one piece, Mine is 65 1/2". Just getting it back together so I don't know about vibration yet.

[willowbilly3]

My 72 had 192,000 with the original u-joints and carrier bearing. I greased them regularly.

[fordman]

read here what hawkrod said about driveshaft whipping on a long driveshaft. the two piece is the way to stay with that truck. http://www.fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9962

[Salt-shaker]

WoW..Fantastic feed back on the one piece drive line idea. Fordman that is some really good links to others input..I really like the critical speed chart by Precision Shaft Tech. I still feel however their is a good case for the one piece. The two piece rear shaft has some very steep U-joint angles and the front shaft is too flat, ( you could use a Greek Coupler it is so flat). The local drive line shop claims you should get rotation on the needle bearings for maximum lubrication that you will not get with a very low or no angle. Aluminum drive lines do have a advantage using the critical speed chart and the Ford factory used them in their F350 vans ( around 1990 with 460 engines ) so I am some what sure they would take the punishment.. I am STILL out to lunch on this Idea..THANKS