Double cardan shafts with 2" lift

[leonard_nemoy]

If an 80 series with a slee 6" lift had double cardan drive shafts on both the front and rear, and then the rig was lowered to a 2" lift, would it be okay to keep the double cardan shafts?
Thanks

 

[DiscoCam]

If an 80 series with a slee 6" lift had double cardan drive shafts on both the front and rear, and then the rig was lowered to a 2" lift, would it be okay to keep the double cardan shafts?
Thanks

Not a driveshaft expert, but I think it really depends on the length of the shafts. If they are setup for the length of the 6" lift, they might be too long if you lower the truck down to 2" above stock. You could always have a driveshaft shop shorten them for you. Probably a good idea to take measurements before and after if you can.

As for the double cardan joint itself, shouldn't be an issue at all as long as it's maintained.

 

[Road Apple]

Plenty of people here lower their trucks and keep the double carden. Mostly from 4” to 3”.
Going from 6” to 2” might be a problem.

I’d suggest you measure the double carden you have now and compare it to stock length.

Here’s a thread talking about this subject.

Double Cardan Driveshaft Length

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[baldilocks]

It all boils down to pinion angle vs driveline slope. Pinion position is dependant on how much castor correction has been applied in the front and link adjustment in the rear. You could run a DC shaft on any rig at any ride height as long as the slope of the driveline and angle of the pinion companion flange relative to flat ground is 90* or within a degree so the shaft will run smoothly.

 

[Road Apple]

Here’s another long thread in dc driveshaft solutions. Might have some further insight.

Double Cardan Drive Shaft Solutions

After lifting an 80 series past a certain point and or correcting the front castor to account for the lift, a double cardan (DC) joint drive shaft will be needed. Slee Off-Road offers an excellent solution with all new quality Spicer joints and also a local drive shaft shop can make any custom...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[LINUS]

I was told a DC RR shaft was something to avoid - I have Slee 4” hvy coils & only have a DC on the FR.

I initially just had the weld-in upper threaded joints, then lengthened/gusseted my lower rear 4-link & ran out a few threads off the upper to restore pinion angle - at no point did a DC RR shaft seem like a solution I needed.

I can’t cite a specific thread, but I’m plenty happy with my 4” now & I did a TON to get it to handle like a stock height 80.

YMMV.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Thanks for the replies, I am mainly worried about the length. I will read the threads that were posted above and go from there.

 

[Jgrauman]

If an 80 series with a slee 6" lift had double cardan drive shafts on both the front and rear, and then the rig was lowered to a 2" lift, would it be okay to keep the double cardan shafts?
Thanks

You're going to be changing a lot of geometry if the 6" was setup correctly. Rear uca and lca will also need to be adjusted for your new height. Was your front caster corrected with plates/bushings /new arms?

 

[leonard_nemoy]

You're going to be changing a lot of geometry if the 6" was setup correctly. Rear uca and lca will also need to be adjusted for your new height. Was your front caster corrected with plates/bushings /new arms?

I removed the aftermarket rear pan hard and replaced it with an oem panhard. Removed the front slee control arms and replaced with oem control arms with yellow OME castor bushings. The rear has lower and upper metal tech adjustable arms but they have not been readjusted. I am going to get it to an alignment shop hopefully today or tomorrow and have him check everything.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

I realized that slee installed both of these driveshafts so I called and asked them directly. They said I should definitely switch back to an OEM driveshaft.
Does anyone know if the driveshafts off a 91 will fit a 97?

 

[baldilocks]

I would be surprised if the 91 drive shafts don’t fit. The bolt patterns have been the same for ions. The dc shafts need to be swapped out due to length not so much because of the dc joint. All 80’s are not identical, what works for some doesn’t work for others.

 

[ppc]

Rear shafts would certainly be different as the 93+ models have the viscous coupler at the rear of the transfer case therefore a shorter shaft.

 

[ToyotaTechnical]

Does anyone know if the driveshafts off a 91 will fit a 97?

It depends on the transfer case you have. 91-92 stock transfer cases do not have a viscous coupler. 93-97 do have a viscous coupler.

(93-97) Transfer case (with viscous coupler) requires a shorter rear drive shaft.

(91-92) Transfer case (without viscous) coupler uses a longer rear drive shaft.

91-92 transfer case is more desirable for big suspension lifts. Arguably a stronger design and longer driveshaft = more optimal U joint angles.

I provide this detail as its not uncommon to see transfer cases swapped between years, as FJ80 and FZJ80 transfer cases are interchangeable as long as you use the appropriate rear driveshaft length.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

It depends on the transfer case you have. 91-92 stock transfer cases do not have a viscous coupler. 93-97 do have a viscous coupler.

(93-97) Transfer case (with viscous coupler) requires a shorter rear drive shaft.

(91-92) Transfer case (without viscous) coupler uses a longer rear drive shaft.

91-92 transfer case is more desirable for big suspension lifts. Arguably a stronger design and longer driveshaft = more optimal U joint angles.

I provide this detail as its not uncommon to see transfer cases swapped between years, as FJ80 and FZJ80 transfer cases are interchangeable as long as you use the appropriate rear driveshaft length.

I ended up going with a late model rear drive shaft for my 97 but used the front driveshaft with brand new u joints off my 91 on the 97.