Talk about getting your attention. It twisted in half at just about the midpoint. Don't know why, perhaps just a flaw in the metal. It was a 3" steel driveshaft. The original application was a 4X4 F150. It had been shortened by about 3/4" to use in my application. I was using it in my 69 Mustang drag car. 383W and Powerglide.

The floor is chewed up with several holes, but can be fixed. The driveshaft loop and ladder bar crossmember did their job, kept both halves in the car.

Now I need another one. Does any one know of any stock driveshafts that would work? I need one that is 53" +/- 1/4". That is measured from center to center on the u-joint cups. For example: A buddy of mine uses a 96 Explorer aluminum driveshaft in his 70 Torino. It was a bolt in using hybrid U-joints in order to match up the slip yoke and rear end.

Thanks,

David Cole

Thats just a little shorter than the 92 Crown Vick aluminum shaft in my Fairlane...it's 55 1/4" centers of u-joints...and Aerostar is close but has small U-joint size.

Hope I won't need it though. Went to a driveline shop today and ordered a heavy duty driveshaft, built to my specs.

Learned that a stock Ford steel shaft is supposed to be .065 wall. We measured mine with calipers were it broke. .053. Just bad tubing. The new one that they will build for me this week will have .085 wall, 1350 joint on the rear and a hybrid 1350 X 1330 for the front to match my yoke. It will be balanced and will have a lifetime warranty against twisting it in two or bending it.

Later,

Cost is $160 with the slip yoke provided by me. My yoke is a hd part and was not hurt when the shaft broke.

I needed it for a race this weekend or I would have had it done mailorder by :
http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/index.html
Buddy of mine has one from there. It's a work of art. I would have to send them my yoke for it to be balanced correctly. The price would be comparable with me providing the yoke.

They also sell complete units with yokes, u-joints etc. Ready to go. Starts at $190 for a std duty, $235 for a heavy duty. Price is higher, but it's complete and no hassles with shipping a yoke to them. If you have the time, this is the way to go go.

Check out their site and click on weekly specials on the left.

Later,