Best place to buy custom driveshaft for my 66 482 Truck project

[Richard F]

Thanks for the info...always willing to learn something new.

[Joe-JDC]

Steel is quieter, and less prone to damage from scrapes from mufflers/exhaust pipes, etc.  By using a smaller diameter the balance seems to be better long term, and less harmonic vibration, especially for a truck.  I had lots of problems with my aluminum driveshaft in my F-150.  It wanted to flex as hit different rpms.  It was huge, also at 4".  Unless you alsolutely need to save the weight, I would suggest a steel driveshaft for long term usage.  Joe-JDC

[fe66comet]

Vibration is caused by the loading and unloading of the shaft. In extreme cases the shaft will twist or bow, this makes uncontrolled harmonics at different speeds and can happen in doth aluminum and steel shafts. I have actually twisted a steel shaft into a screw where the tube is convoluted and the yokes made a full turn out of phase. Just plain too much torsional load for the tube in question.

[TimeWarpF100]

DynoTech returned call

These are all for Chromoly shafts

DynoTech                                400.00  They said a 3.5" shaft vs 3.0" of the 3 others

Inland Empire                           324.00 vs 415.00 For 3.5" ALum

Mark Williams                           429.00 vs 559.00 for 3.5" Alum

Strange                                    319.00  they do not do Alum

Thanks to all who gave input!

I just need to figure out which place to go with and get it ordered.

[TimeWarpF100]

Wondering why there was such a large diff in pricing I called each one back. Gave same specifics

Even though I asked for Chromoly to each vendor the only one who gave pricing for Chromoly was MW. The reason they were higher cost.

Turns out the others gave pricing for a replacement mild steel shaft.

So back to the drawing board to which one I chose.

A few years back when I was going to order the place said since I was planning on going to a 1350 yoke they would ship me that so I could get exact measurments.

Of course the yoke is now a 145.00 item and I cannot find it! Go figure . . .

About the time I thought I had a decision made its time to start all over .

I had planned on going with the 3" Chromoly but now not sure.

[afret]

You might consider the length of the driveshaft and the material and diameter of shaft required for that length.  Read the part about critical speed by MW:

http://markwilliams.com/driveshafttech.aspx