Drive Shaft Question

[slaphappypappy]

I have searched quite a few different websites that deal with older toyota pickups and I have tried to find a list of stock toyota rear drive shaft lengths. I have found lists that show all the different models and that there is like 16 different ones for the generation that applies to me, but no lengths are listed. Is there a place that would have this info? I am currently looking for a 1987 22re ext cab 4x4 manual transmission (w-series) LWB rear drive shaft. I didnt pay attention when i ordered the parts to convert my 2wd to 4x4 and i ended up with a SWB drive shaft. Now I have the old transmission out and the new one in but cant use my truck until i find a replacement.

With the W56 transmission and transfer case loosely in place I measured between the transfer case flange and rear differential and it looks like the length that i need will be about 55 inches. Does that sound like the stock length for the truck i mentioned above? Also not sure if it matters but the truck was originally 4x4 to begin with (no idea why it was converted to 2wd).

Im not looking for measurements based on any sort of lift installed just looking for the stock length.

I was also curious if there is any other stock drive shaft that will fit my truck? Any that are an inch or two off? I dont mind ordering a spacer or two if needed.

I know i can get one made but it will be a little bit more spendy than i'd like and it would still be nice to know the stock length.

and before anyone suggests it being a good time to do the mods like lift and dual transfer cases etc... i just dont have the funds for that right now, but someday i will be back to search the forums for all that info as well.


Thank you for reading my questions, and for any advice or opinions you may have.

[fordh8r]

The fact that your truck is a 2nd gen Xtra Cab, as is mine, I can tell you that the drive line that was originally in my truck was a 2 piece drive shaft for the rear and had a center support bearing mounted to a crossmember ( I want to say roughly 20" or so) behind the transmission. You may see the crossmember with the threaded holes on its bottom side as proof of this. If so, then you will also need the center support bearing. As for an actual length, I can't say I've ever seen an application listing for this so your best bet may be to try and find one in whole or in part at a local wrecking yard and piecing one together or you may end up just having to get a complete one made up at a driveline shop. That being said, that could get a little Expen$ive as you well know. If you can at least find the front half of the shaft that goes to the transmission and has the center support bearing that bolts to the crossmember then you can measure to have the rear half made....but both halves will be needed for a proper balance job at the driveline shop though. I know that's not exactly the answer you hoped for but it's the best I can offer for what you're looking for. Good luck with your project. 

[slaphappypappy]

What year is your truck? Don't quote me on this but i seem to recall seeing a couple different threads that mentioned the 84-85 having a two piece shaft with the bearing that you mentioned and the 86-88 having a one piece. Any idea if there is any truth to that?

I called quite a few salvage yards and so far no one seems to have one, but i plan on calling a few more tomorrow and visiting a couple "pick and pull" places. I tried one a few days ago and only saw a couple toyota pickups and none were the same generation as mine or 4x4. Also the toyotas that they did have were picked to the bone. I'm in the san diego area, so if anyone has recommendations that would be great but if not i'm sure i can figure it out with a little more research.

[THK Matt]

some 84-85s had one pieces (my buddys had one pieces) and some of my buddyes 86-88s had 2 pieces. So Idk what options determined which shaft was installed, cuz these were all SR5's. so just find a used one.

[fordh8r]

Mine is an '84. It's hard to conceive why Toyota would have used so many different driveline configurations for seemingly similar models of vehicles.    I suppose you could possibly see what Toyota says by asking about a driveshaft from them. They may look it up by VIN and you might even see a drawing of what it's supposed to be or they might tell you what you want to know if you ask the right questions. If anything, the price they give you might be worth a good laugh. 

[Dingman.]

Having your diveline retubed to a different length isn that expensive, imo.  A local shop should be able to do it in a quick timeframe and you would most likely have thicker tubing.

[Fiercefirstgen559]

Drive line service in Fresno just tubed a 50" drive line for me for $126. Not bad. By the time you buy one that's close and order spacers it would probably be close in cost to retubing the one you have. $70 for labor and $1 per inch for the material. Or if you can get one that is too long they can shorten it up for just the $70. Hope this helps any

[Snowtoy]

With having the longbed frame you will either need to get 2pc 4wd driveline, or have a custom 3" driveline made.

[THK Matt]

With having the longbed frame you will either need to get 2pc 4wd driveline, or have a custom 3" driveline made.

or find an extended cab with a one piece. both my 87s had one piece factory driveshafts.