driveshaft measurements

[project83]

Hi all. I hope I'm posting in the right section. I'm building a 83 C10. Short box fleetside. Its a 2wd. I'm trying to get a driveshaft cause my truck didn't come with one. I have no measurement to go off of. I'm running a 350 sbc with th350. 9" tailstock. Does anyone have this same setup that would be willing to give me the measurement of the driveshaft? Weld to weld and center of u-joint to center of u-joint. I might have to make one. It would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Should be 55.48" from u-joint to u-joint. You should be able to use one from a 700r4 truck as well all the way up to 1993 (from a GMT400 will require a u-joint with offset sizes.

 

[project83]

Ya your right. The driveshaft from a 700r4 truck is the same length. Just can't find either in my area right now. So 55.5" joint to joint for swb. I wish I could get weld to weld because I might get a shaft from lwb truck and cut it. Easier to measure weld to weld when cutting.
Any other vehicles out there that would use same length shaft? I was told possibly full size car like 91-96 Impala/Caprice might work? They run the 27 spline yoke if they came with 700r4/4l60e same as th350. Anyone ever heard of this?

 

[RetroC10Sport]

I think Caprice will be a bit too short. Their wheelbase is 115.9" I don't have driveshaft length for those.

 

[project83]

So 115.9" for impala/caprice. Ours is 117.5". Does this mean our driveshaft is 1.6" longer? Or is this dependent on this placement of the motor? Is this too much play in the yoke/output shaft area. What if I slide the motor trans that much further back? Might be easier to just get a longer shaft and cut it to size.
Anyone out there feeling ambitious and helpful enough to slide under their trucks and give me a weld to weld measurement? It is the season to be jolly and helpful, lol!
Thanks people, hopefully someone will!
CHEERS!

 

[project83]

And thank you Jay, for taking the time to respond!
Its appreciated!

 

[RetroC10Sport]

That's what we're here for. You're welcome.

If I still had my 1981 SWB, it had a 700r4 in it and I had the driveshaft out a few times.

 

[project83]

Its all good man!
I'm sure someone will reply soon.
Maybe Santa wil bring me one the right size, lol. Its funny how you can buy almost anything from a parts store, but driveshafts are like a mystery to most. I even stopped by the local GM dealership and they couldnt help me out.

 

[project83]

So you say up to 93 will work from the gmt400 platform. What changed from 94-98? Might be easier to find short wheebase in the gmt400 trucks. Lots of those still kicking around the wrecking yards. I didn't know that they had the same length of driveshaft and wheelbase. And all il need is a conversion u-joint for the rear?

 

[Driver4r]

Our shortbed is setting on the ground, I would crawl under and measure it, but im not even sure its still under it.
Sorry.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

So you say up to 93 will work from the gmt400 platform. What changed from 94-98? Might be easier to find short wheebase in the gmt400 trucks. Lots of those still kicking around the wrecking yards. I didn't know that they had the same length of driveshaft and wheelbase. And all il need is a conversion u-joint for the rear?

They're slightly longer at 56.27" so almost an inch longer. I can't remember if I was able to use it or not. I'm thinking I did but now I am not so sure. Been a long weekend for my thinking.

 

[project83]

Np. Thanks anyways!

 

[project83]

Thats about 3/4" longer. Wonder if I can get away with using that?
Can I have the front yoke shortened 3/4"? Is this possible to do?
And are they longer cause they went to 4l60/4l60e in 94-98?

 

[altereddezignz]

I dont want to hijack this thread. I have a 98 c1500 2wd reg cab. switching from a 4l60e to a th350. I currently have a short shaft the 6" housing. What would be the easiest way to go.

To have a drive shaft cut down is 100 of i have a drive shaft already. Well mine is to short b/c the th350 is shorter than the 4l60E.

anyone know of a longer aluminium drive shaft that will be like the one i have since mine is a swb it is to short to have cut down.

Thank you