My truck has a 6" lift. While looking around under the truck, I notice the rear drive shaft was sticking a long way out of the rear of the transfer case. Is this normal? Or, do I need to lengthen the drive shaft? I pulled on it while sitting in a ditch. The drive shaft did not move and felt good. Just looks funny with that much shaft sticking out?

If this does need fixed, is there anything else I can do beside cutting and lenghtening the shaft??

Thanks

I was wonding the same thing. I think it just looks worse than it really it. I've seen people running 10 inch lifts on 40's with the stock shaft some i'm guessing we're ok.

If nothing else...at least I know I'm not the only one with my drive shaft like this. Makes me feel better it's not going to fall out...hopefully anyway :eek:

I do not have a lift and never have. However I will add to this from what I know.
With some of the V8 S10's the driveshaft can be reused. On some it will stick in further. A small amount is not bad. (by small I mean 1/4" or less)
On a lifted truck or trans swap with a shorter trans, same idea. If to little shaft makes it into the trans/transfer it will have less to hold it straight or true. This allows it to wobble in the trans/transfer. I'm sure you know that it will only tear things up.

I will not argue that you can change/modify a car/truck and run a stock driveshaft. What I will say is regardless of what others have done, be carefull of what you do. Like alot of the drivetrain posts. (atleast what I have noticed) Tune on truck stock trans. Stock only holds so much power trans broke what now. Just because someone else did it and does not have a problem does not mean you won't. If they have a show truck or it is rarely driven, no they won't have problems, but when you drive yours everyday, yes you will.
Personally I would find a good drivetrain shop to take a look, and see what they say. Just my 2 cents.

I will also add one more thought.
To much angle on the u-joints will wear them out, and I would imagine cause a bind on the yoke going into the trans/transfer. Sure you know that though.

I saw a guy with a lifted truck with a stock drive shaft do a burn out. It was a good burn out, especially half way through when is drive shaft came a part. That was priceless.

For some lifts, you may or may not need a new drive shaft. I would measure it and see how much travel room you have left. Somehow this guy managed to extend his enough that it came apart. He was lucky, he was able to clean it up and put it back together.

I would think on a 6 inch lift, you better be measuring the thing to see how much travel you have left.

Another thing is that with a 6 inch lift normally you don't lift the back a full 6 inches. If guys run the stock shaft with 8 inch deavers I think we're ok running 4 inches of rear lift.

Another thing is that with a 6 inch lift normally you don't lift the back a full 6 inches. If guys run the stock shaft with 8 inch deavers I think we're ok running 4 inches of rear lift.

All I got to say if the driveshaft could have been shorter stock from GM it wouldve been shorter.

All I got to say if the driveshaft could have been shorter stock from GM it wouldve been shorter.

I agree but my point is that I think the is enough engagement of the splines for us 4 inches of lift guys.

Does anyone know exactly how long the slip yoke actully is and how far it sticks out stock? If someone wil post up some number I'll go measure mine so we'll know how much it sticks out over stock. That should give us a good idea of what's going on.

I agree but my point is that I think the is enough engagement of the splines for us 4 inches of lift guys.

Does anyone know exactly how long the slip yoke actully is and how far it sticks out stock? If someone wil post up some number I'll go measure mine so we'll know how much it sticks out over stock. That should give us a good idea of what's going on.

My point which I didn't really state before is that the further the stock drive shaft is extended the weaker it would be. Maybe I am wrong but the logic behind it makes sense. I guess it just depends on the extension to begin with.

I would be willing to bet his is something like the driveshaft on my 96. When I had it on a jackstand to pull the pan, you could tell the driveshaft yoke was not in all the way, from a light coat of rust, where the seal usually rides it was some very clean metal forward.
Point being, you are at less engaugement then stock. You have a good possiblitly for problems. Now if you are one of those guys who likes to spend money on a truck and put in on a trailer and take it to a car show, or just baby it on the street, you can be just fine.
But if your like me, why spend the money on something your not going to enjoy.

It think that's being a like dramatic. If you lift the rear end 4 inches how much do you really think the driveshaft is out more than stock? I bet it not enough to cause a problem. I'm not saying it's a good thing but I doubt if would ever cause a problem. If it did you would here about it a lot more on here.

Like I said if someone with a stock truck will measure how far the slip yoke is out from the trans I will do the same so we can compare.

Like I said if someone with a stock truck will measure how far the slip yoke is out from the trans I will do the same so we can compare.

If no one has posted it by Tuesday morning, I will. I am pulling my transfer case out monday night to proactively fix the pump rub issue. I will make sure to take a measurement as I am all stock.

If no one has posted it by Tuesday morning, I will. I am pulling my transfer case out monday night to proactively fix the pump rub issue. I will make sure to take a measurement as I am all stock.

That would be great if you would do this for us. Then I can messure what I have.

Someone on another post said there is an "easy" fix for this, by adding an 1 or 2 inch extension on the shaft at the rear end side. This extension bolted between the rear end and the drive shaft. Has anyone seen or heard of this?? Maybe I'll post on the "who has this" with the vendors.

i ran a 10 inch fts with my stock drive shaft and it never broke on me for 2 years while i had it and i beat the piss out of it so i guess they fine or go buy a new one thts a one piece for like 350

If no one has posted it by Tuesday morning, I will. I am pulling my transfer case out monday night to proactively fix the pump rub issue. I will make sure to take a measurement as I am all stock.

That would be perfect. That extension sounds like a good idea we'll have to check into it.

Sorry for the slow post. I measured 4 1/2" of slip yoke in the transfer case.

Ok so you measured the part sticking in. Did you measure the whole length of the slip yoke or the part sticking out? I'll just be measuring the distance from the yoke to the tail housing.

I'm getting a vibration with my truck at over 70 that stops when I let off the gas... I have a reg cab srw 3500 with the 6" fabtech... I'm under the truck right now and I can push up on the front of the shaft and it appears to slightly rock the slip yoke that goes into the tcase... This is leading me to believe I need to lengthen my shaft (truck shaft not my other one)... What's ur thoughts everbody?

any ideas?