Topic: Driveshaft help!

[TRHS1980]

Okay guys, here's the deal...

I put a W56 in my 1980 so I need to get my driveshafts retubed. I had JE Reel quote me $850 for the job. Seems the driveshafts are pretty shot, need new U joint, all new tubing, pretty much rebuilding both driveshafts completely and putting a long travel slip on there for future duals. I know this is a bit of work and I would like to do this right the first time, but DAMN, $850 is more than I was looking to spend. I'm in Southern California, and was hoping on some guidance here. Is there another shop I should try that you guys have had good luck with? Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you.

[Gittinit]

Front or rear ,this is how i did my rear. (trail only) It definately needs ballanaced for dd status. I hope this helps.

[olivedrab85]

Have you looked into a square front shaft? Cheap, strong as hell, and unlimited slip. With the money you save on that you can buy more parts for your buildup. 

[ZukIzzy]

Where in socal and What are your mechanical skills? I can make new d shafts  but I cannot balance them. Also I don't think there is a readily avalible slip that will allow the amount of movement of future duals, I could be wrong. If you are asking for a extreme travel d-shaft then that is why the High price. I think a freind of mine just had his rear d-shaft redone for less than a couple hundred. "Oh Shoyrtt" He can tell you where he had it done. If you can rebuild the joints then a retube should not cost more than $200 each and I think that is high.

let me know if I can help
Wayne

[Hottrod81]

I spent over $400 on a front driveshaft and if I had to do it again, I would have built a square front shaft and spent the money on something else.

[TRHS1980 [OP]]

I should mention that this truck will be a DD trail rig... I'm new to the sport so I'm not looking for anything "extreme." The long travel slip is what I will need when I go duals so I might as well get it now, but a future retube will still be necessary when that time comes. As far as my mechanical skills, they're pretty basic. I can't weld and pretty much learn as I go.

So I guess what you guys are saying is that I can get away with a square front driveshaft since it's not in use in normal 2wd on-road driving? I always thought square driveshafts were for trail only rigs, but it makes sense that the front wouldn't be a problem... keep that suggestions coming!

Oh BTW, I live in Costa Mesa, but the truck is stranded in monclair right now at CalMiniTruck with no way of moving itself.    Oh, and I'll also mention that it's been over 6 months since I've had a daily driver 

[olivedrab85]

As for the dd part, I've had my truck in 4hi with a square shaft up to 65 with little to no vibes.

[79coyotefrg]

find a 84-88  truck with the same cab/bed size  and get the shafts from it,  done deal