mo3nzo

Hello again guys!

So summer is here and I'm planning on hitting the track a few times

But before I can do so I gotta change my rear shock absorbers, outer tie rods, and driveshaft. The first two I can take care of. But the driveshaft.. I can't find it!

I've tried every website I know, and all I get is aftermarket aluminum driveshafts. I'm on a tight budget so I can't spend $300+ on a replacement driveshaft. Neither do I need a lighter driveshaft - it just doesn't suit my needs.

So the question is - where can I find a new steel driveshaft for a M/T 1999 sixer?

If there's none available, are there other cheap alternative driveshafts?
Even more, can you safely race with a worn driveshaft? The u-joints are fine, but will the driveshaft kill the tranny or differential?

Will appreciate some help!

Thanks guys!

NeoTokyo

So is the DS bent or did a weight come off?

If you can wait about 5 weeks I will have one for sale.
5 weeks because thats when we go back out to Missouri to pick up my wifes 96', it has an aluminum driveshaft and we havnt gotten rid of the stock one yet.

Why not just keep an eye on Craigslist and forums? Use searchtempest.com to search all the cities around you.

You should be able to find an aluminum driveshaft for anywhere from $125 - $200 dollars.

Remember, if you find an 03/04 driveshaft, its too short and you cant use it.

rescuemedic

I have taken ds's to a welding shop in the past and had them cut and rewelded. Then I took the shaft to a performance shop to have have it balanced out. So if you can find one maybe you could do this as well. Last time I did this it cost me around 150 from start to finish.

Fink

go to a wrecker and get a rear DS from a 94-96 Aerostar. they are aluminum and shouldnt be more than $75. make sure to bring a tape measure and make sure its 45.5" from u joint to u joint (center of bearing cups)

get it balanced and throw it in, after you swap yokes.

NeoTokyo

Ahh I forgot about the Aeostar, good catch Fink.

mo3nzo

I actually forgot to ask what was exactly wrong with the ds. Just got told it's worn. Though I checked it with them and it's not bent, so it's probably a weight issue as you mentioned.

Would the '96 ds fit a 99 though? And I like the idea for the aerostar!

But out of curiosity, will an aluminum ds harm performance in any way? I've read somewhere that the reduced rotational mass makes the car more jumpy in terms of how fast it loses revs :s Is that true?

Thanks for the ideas guys! :-)

NeoTokyo

It helps performance, you gain a little power and fuel economy.

mo3nzo

UPDATE**

So it seems like I misunderstood my mechanic!

The shaking is most likely from my rear shocks, but if I swap them and it still persists, then maybe it's the ds. I drove the car over 80 km/h (roughly 50 mph) and there was no serious vibrations - hardly any vibrations at all. So I'll work on the shocks and let you know how it goes :-)

And as rescumedic suggested I got a quote for balancing for $175 after tax - which isn't that bad.

Thank you for the help guys! :-)