Im doing an 80 swap on my scsb and wanted to know what you guys are doing for driveshafts, Id like to just get mine shortend but do they make a u joint that will work with the 80e yoke? I can shorten it for about 120 bucks just wanted to know if anyone has done this before?

 

You can use a bastard u-joint.

 

search is your friend this topic has been covered numerous times

 

Yes you can have your stock shaft shortened,

After Pricing aftermarket Aluminum shafts and fainting from the 600$ + cost i decided to have a custom 3.5 steel shaft made.

It works great.

Fellow member Brent1976 has a turboed 99 reg cab 4x4 and also runs a steel shaft with his 80E , as does Sharpshooter with his procharged 80e

The Steel shaft with new u joints cost me 274$ and is balanced and LOTS strronger than the paper thin stock alum shaft i had so i dont have to worry bout it snapping at over 100mph.

Hope this helps.

 

Ok, 274 aint bad at all, were did you get it?

 

Custom clutch and hydraulic. Canton ohio.

PM me if ya need the number.

They build shafts for drag cars to industrial vehicals.

Ordered mine tuesday afternoon, had it wednesday morninig!!!

Also had heavy duty non greaseable u joints installed( they are stronger than the greaseable ones ).

The only thing i did was reuse my original yoke.

Good luck with your 80e swap, your gonna love it!!!!

 

I did the aluminum 600 shaft and sold it later and went with the 3.5" steel shaft. Haven't looked back since.

 

Thats good to know and makes me feel better.

Have to add you to the steel shaft list LOL!

Do you feel the steel one is stronger than the alum?
Or what else made you decide to go the steel route?

I honestly cant tell a difference from the stock alum one with 60e to the 80e and steel shaft with the butt dyno LOL

 

I dont see a problem at all with the steel drive shaft, I guess im just looking for cheapest way to go that will work good and not cause problems, seems like im finding lots of threads of peaple asking what to do and what they are going to try but not much as far as what really did work.

 

steel is fine.

My setup has the long shaft. (always wanted to say that and ACTUALLY mean it ) and even with a good balance I was having issues with my setup on vibration. The steel shaft absorbs that issue. Yes, the aluminum shouldn't have a problem. Yes, the aluminum shaft will do great and is much lighter, but I am happy with the steel. It IS heavier, much heavier than the aluminum shaft though. I certainly feel the steel is stronger. However, I will be the first to admit that most failures will end up in the joint (for aftermarket shaft guys) rather than the shaft. Second however, if your junk is not high speed balanced, then anything can happen as you mod more.