southern_boy79

Is there anyone that would know if i could shorten and use a driveshaft out of a newer model chevy truck?(1999-current) they are aluminum and i can get a few free i think and theres a good machine shop down the road as well. My main worry is that these drivesahfts are probably twice the size around of a normal steel driveshaft. this is just a thought but if it works out good i may get a few and have them shortened and ready to go for third gen cars. so any help would be appreciated thanks

1981LT1

iTrader: (1)

I am not sure if the yoke will work with the f-body trans. Theoretically, you could have it cut and rebalanced and I don't see why it wouldn't fit. It wouldn't give you much room to work with though. The exhaust might have to be tweaked to give you some space.

iansane

iTrader: (1)

Be very careful with an aluminum shortened driveshaft.





I had a place that supposedly does awesome work do that to my driveline. And that was on a mostly stock 305 (hsr intake, lt1 cam). Less than a year of driving.

Make sure they'll gaurentee their work. I took this back to the place and asked them to fix it because it's obviously a failed weld and they told me to go home.

southern_boy79

I have already talked to my machine shop and he said they have done many that were problem free so im thinkin i will be alright. but that for the advice anyway, i would definatly hate for that to happen to me as thats extremely dangerous. thanks for help though

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

Why not just get a factory aluminum balanced LS1 shaft for $100 or so?

southern_boy79

if i had one around here i could get for that i probably would but i also have about 3 of the ones im talkin about layin around as we speak and i can get them done for about 50 bucks so i may give this a shot. also i was kinda asking cause if it works i may be able to sell them on here for say somebody that needs one for a conversion of some sort. but i will say you have a good point there

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

A 1/2 ton truck should use the same U joint. If not forget it, conversion U joints will cost you more than the correct aluminum shaft.

southern_boy79

thanks i should check that then cause i didnt think about that i just assumed the u-joints would be the same i will definatly check on that

1983Fbody

No welders will touch an aluminum DS around here, something to do with liability? I hope you plan on running a safety loop.

Steve86TA

iTrader: (57)

Arent the truck shafts much larger diameter?There isnt alot of extra room under there.

southern_boy79

Im just kinda feeling this one out for now but i trust thes guys pretty good but that is also something that need to be done for sure. yes some of the truck shafts are large like very large i have one of those but i also have a smaller one as well i think it may have came out of an s-10 maybe im not sure, because i have a s-10 myself its a zr2 and it has a humongeous aluminum shaft so im not 100 positive what they are from.