Double cardan driveshaft help

[ARB777]

I am trying to source a dc driveshaft from a tacoma to replace my front ds. The first one i looked at did not have double cardan and the seller said it was from a 97 xtra cab. This one with the attached photos is from a double cab 97 but it seems too short based on the pics. It is supposed to come with a single cardan on the other end instead of just the spline like on the picture? Does it have to come from a 4x4 tacoma? Thanks.

 

[inkpot]

Don't know of ANY that are a direct fit. They have to be custom built to get the right length and to get a flange right next to the CV which will bolt onto the transfer case. The splined end in pic #2 is half of the slip joint. It is missing the other half.

 

[baldilocks]

It's easier to get one built at a driveline shop that knows what they are doing. There are now American made parts that bolt right up to your transfer output flange. Your original front yoke can be retained if it's not worn out. If you decided to go this route it will most likely be necessary to have the DC mounting flange machined down to about .290" where the transfer output studs poke through so you can get full thread engagement with a washer under the nut.

 

[ARB777]

Don't know of ANY that are a direct fit. They have to be custom built to get the right length and to get a flange right next to the CV which will bolt onto the transfer case. The splined end in pic #2 is half of the slip joint. It is missing the other half.

Thats what I thought so too, it is missing the other end. Thought I was tripping. The seller did not have the other end so i guess i need to look further. Thanks.

 

[ARB777]

It's easier to get one built at a driveline shop that knows what they are doing. There are now American made parts that bolt right up to your transfer output flange. Your original front yoke can be retained if it's not worn out. If you decided to go this route it will most likely be necessary to have the DC mounting flange machined down to about .290" where the transfer output studs poke through so you can get full thread engagement with a washer under the nut.

How much did it cost you to have a custom dc ds? I am trying to source the taco ds due to price.

 

[ARB777]

I have a 3 inch Icon stage 3 lift. 285/75 r16 ko2. Caster correction bushings that came with the Icon kit. At this point I did not have any vibrations or Grrr. The CC bushings did not give me enough correction, so i ended up installing a 2 inch MAF drop brackets while retaining the Icon CC bushings. At this point I started hearing the Grrr when letting off the accelerator pedal. The truck was drooping to the drivers side because I did not install the 1 inch spacer that Icon provided, so I installed it. Drooping solved but I ended up with a louder Grrr. After driving it around a bit the Grrr slightly decreased but still noticeably there. So my next solution is DC driveshaft. I dont know if I am in the right direction. Reading all the DC driveshaft threads got me more confused. When can you tell if the driveshaft Grrr or vibration needs to be corrected? Is it safe to run with some Grrr? I really dont know how a driveline vibration feels like? Is it something that is alarmingly noticeable if you have it? Thanks.

 

[NLXTACY]

Yeah this is kinda why LANDTANK makes these available because its a pain to source, it needs to be re-tubed, length changed, etc etc. If interested there is a new batch being made with new thicker walled tubing:

80 Series Double-Cardon Front Drive Shaft

 

[baldilocks]

How much did it cost you to have a custom dc ds? I am trying to source the taco ds due to price.

$400 plus but it's all new parts and they are common parts that can be found at most any parts house or even from some stranger on the trail if you didn't have spares. I was skeptical but I have front and rear custom DC shafts that are working out well.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

My DC came from a 07 tundra and the tube was from my 80 as well as the diff end. Took it to a reputable driveline shop and hey made mine for under $200

 

[ARB777]

$400 plus but it's all new parts and they are common parts that can be found at most any parts house or even from some stranger on the trail if you didn't have spares. I was skeptical but I have front and rear custom DC shafts that are working out well.

Ill look in to this option. Thanks for the input.

 

[ARB777]

My DC came from a 07 tundra and the tube was from my 80 as well as the diff end. Took it to a reputable driveline shop and hey made mine for under $200

So basically you used your original DS and converted the other end with the tundra DC? You cant just shorted the tundra like the taco right?

 

[socallove]

My DC came from a 07 tundra and the tube was from my 80 as well as the diff end. Took it to a reputable driveline shop and hey made mine for under $200

Can someone shine the lights on which other vehicles I can pull the DC drive shaft from?

 

[inkpot]

Tatton was selling his for $300 at one time. Don't know if they are still available. Search this forum for Tatton driveshaft?

 

[shadowless]

If I'm not mistaken this thread should have just about all the common solutions described in it. I myself am on the verge of a dc shaft after completing my lift.

Double Cardan Drive Shaft Solutions

 

[socallove]

Tatton was a cool guy, but I'm not feeling the 1310 spicers I Want to stick with Toyota stuff.
Thanks for the link, looks informative so far.

 

[ARB777]

Can someone shine the lights on which other vehicles I can pull the DC drive shaft from?

Seems like we can only get it from 1st gen tacos if you dont want to chop your original ds. @LandCruisinMy93 seems like he had a hybrid of the 80 and tundra ds. I have read too that toyota shafts are better because it has koyo parts but then again @baldilocks seem to have good experience with non toyota parts. Are you in the same boat @socallove?

 

[socallove]

i do have vibration so I'm looking for a front DC shaft, are you going to hit up the junk yards?

 

[ARB777]

i tried some that are parting out but with no luck. One had a shaft from a 97 xtra cab 4x2 i believe, it only had single cardans. The other one is missing the other end of the shaft. What I am trying to figure out is what specific tacoma model should we look for? Does it have to be 4x4? I was under the impression that all of them has double cardans. Anyone else have any ideas? @socallove how was your vibration? Is it really bad or tolerable? Mine is just a Grrr but I am not sure if it is safe to drive it that way for long trips.

 

[baldilocks]

Can you post a photo of your front drive shaft to axle pinion connection from the side view to give an ideal of what you have going on?

 

[RiFF RaFF]

This is where I bought mine for my 93 4Runner ---

Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts - Tom Woods Custom Drive Shafts Custom Driveshafts Specialist

They can custom make a drive shaft to any specs you wants.