- City
- Biloxi
- State
- MS
Update from this past weekend.
These are my driveshaft dimensions/issues. These are the stock driveshafts for a 1983 Scrambler with a T-176 4 speed. I took the time to write all dimensions down so that I could evaluate if I was going to need new driveshaft’s after putting the RE 4.5” lift on the Scrambler.
*ALL DIMESIONS WERE TAKEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE METAL CIRCLE THAT HOLDS THE U-JOINT CUP TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE METAL CIRCLE THAT HOLDS THE U-JOINT CUP* I think the correct way to measure is from center of cap to center of cap, but it was easier for me to measure from outside of circle thing to outside of circle thing. All measurements were taken this way, so at least everything is consistent.
REAR Driveshaft
Running length before lift = 36” (measurement taken without body tub on)
Running length after lift = 36 7/16”
Collapsed length = 34 ¼”
Extended length = 36 ½”
Before the lift, I had 1 ¾” of collapse and ½” to extend.
After the lift, I have 2 3/16” of collapse and 1/16” to extend.
FRONT Driveshaft
Running length before lift = 32 1/2” (measurement taken without body tub on)
Running length after lift = 33 1/4”
Collapsed length = 31 ¼”
Extended length = 33 3/4”
Before the lift, I had 1 1/4” of collapse and 1 ¼”” to extend.
After the lift, I have 2” of collapse and 1/2” to extend.
Basically, my stock driveshafts are almost all the way extended as it sits. But, my springs are still sitting at full droop and the shocks are all the way extended, even though the body and power train have been sitting on the springs for several months. With use, the springs will settle and the stock driveshafts should be OK. I am going to use my stock driveshafts for now, but I will probably flex the thing all the way out with a forklift after I get it running to make sure these shafts aren’t too short. If they are, I will get some new ones built.
Picture of rear shackle, as the Scrambler sits currently. The shackle is actually pointing toward the front, not the rear like it is supposed to. These springs have not settled any. I might put 5 bags of quickrete in the back to kind of speed up the whole spring settling issue.
Picture of front shackle, as the Scrambler sits currently. This shackle is at least vertical, but it should be facing outward. The engine and powertrain weight are helping this spring settle more then the back end.
Picture of the dirty driveshafts. They are still in good shape, tight at the slip joints and no dents, bends, etc.
Picture of one of the old u-joints. I forgot what it was like to be working on dirty parts, been awhile.
After steam cleaning the driveshafts. I love the steam cleaner!
Ready for paint. I polished off most of the surface rust off of the slip shaft area to prevent seal damage.
Driveshaft painting rig.
Primed and painted.
Running out of rusty parts to clean and reuse. Went to Walmart and bought this container to hold the parking brake pedal assembly. Been soaking it with the Evaporust stuff.
These are my driveshaft dimensions/issues. These are the stock driveshafts for a 1983 Scrambler with a T-176 4 speed. I took the time to write all dimensions down so that I could evaluate if I was going to need new driveshaft’s after putting the RE 4.5” lift on the Scrambler.
*ALL DIMESIONS WERE TAKEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE METAL CIRCLE THAT HOLDS THE U-JOINT CUP TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE METAL CIRCLE THAT HOLDS THE U-JOINT CUP* I think the correct way to measure is from center of cap to center of cap, but it was easier for me to measure from outside of circle thing to outside of circle thing. All measurements were taken this way, so at least everything is consistent.
REAR Driveshaft
Running length before lift = 36” (measurement taken without body tub on)
Running length after lift = 36 7/16”
Collapsed length = 34 ¼”
Extended length = 36 ½”
Before the lift, I had 1 ¾” of collapse and ½” to extend.
After the lift, I have 2 3/16” of collapse and 1/16” to extend.
FRONT Driveshaft
Running length before lift = 32 1/2” (measurement taken without body tub on)
Running length after lift = 33 1/4”
Collapsed length = 31 ¼”
Extended length = 33 3/4”
Before the lift, I had 1 1/4” of collapse and 1 ¼”” to extend.
After the lift, I have 2” of collapse and 1/2” to extend.
Basically, my stock driveshafts are almost all the way extended as it sits. But, my springs are still sitting at full droop and the shocks are all the way extended, even though the body and power train have been sitting on the springs for several months. With use, the springs will settle and the stock driveshafts should be OK. I am going to use my stock driveshafts for now, but I will probably flex the thing all the way out with a forklift after I get it running to make sure these shafts aren’t too short. If they are, I will get some new ones built.
Picture of rear shackle, as the Scrambler sits currently. The shackle is actually pointing toward the front, not the rear like it is supposed to. These springs have not settled any. I might put 5 bags of quickrete in the back to kind of speed up the whole spring settling issue.
Picture of front shackle, as the Scrambler sits currently. This shackle is at least vertical, but it should be facing outward. The engine and powertrain weight are helping this spring settle more then the back end.
Picture of the dirty driveshafts. They are still in good shape, tight at the slip joints and no dents, bends, etc.
Picture of one of the old u-joints. I forgot what it was like to be working on dirty parts, been awhile.
After steam cleaning the driveshafts. I love the steam cleaner!
Ready for paint. I polished off most of the surface rust off of the slip shaft area to prevent seal damage.
Driveshaft painting rig.
Primed and painted.
Running out of rusty parts to clean and reuse. Went to Walmart and bought this container to hold the parking brake pedal assembly. Been soaking it with the Evaporust stuff.
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How much pressure is in the return line?
