Front driveshaft guide needed?

[jlhollowx13]

I'm in the process of replacing my clutch. The guide that bolts to the transmission and surrounds the front drive shaft seems like a waste of metal and is really in my way. What is its purpose? When I go to put everything back together is it really necessary to be there? Here is a po of what in talking about as I am sure it is called somethin else. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Mildot]

I am sure someone wiser then me will answer but I left mine off when I did my clutch.

 

[klinetime574]

Pretty sure it is just a drive-shaft loop. But it also would keep rocks and stuff from flying up there. I have one on my 1984. I don't see it as useless though. Toyota put it there for a reason. Just not sure if I have the reasons right

 

[jlhollowx13]

I see it providing a SLIGHT amount of protection for the driveshaft, but the front diff and the front of the drive shaft are much lower than that anyway. itll be a couple days before I am in the position to put it back in, waiting on some seals i forgot to order before the teardown, so anymore input is appreciated! just dont want to take it off if there is something major I am missing here. as of now I am thinking of leaving it off.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

It's not protection for the driveshaft, it's protection for your frame and drivetrain from the driveshaft.

If your driveshaft separates or breaks in some fashion and it's spinning because your hubs are locked or you are in 4WD, that thing turns into a high-speed mace that flails around and smashes everything it touches. The driveshaft loop exists to contain the driveshaft, when broken, while it's spinning, so that damage is limited.

I would not recommend removing that loop, in fact, I wish my '87 had one from the factory

 

[jlhollowx13]

that sounds reasonable. My wife and I run an RV park and have many people come through pulling vehicles, many times they are 4x4's for the mountain trails (usually newer jeeps). I heard of one guy towing his jeep without a trailer, his front drive shaft broke at the diff at highway speeds. being pulled behind his massive RV he didnt notice this for MANY miles and his driveshaft had thrusted into the transfercase and bounced around until anything and everything within its reach was gone. totaled the jeep of course.

I have already decided that I will never tow my cruisers without them being on a trailer, and if I do the drive shafts will be disconnected. small measure to prevent a major disaster imo. Ill see tomorrow how easy I can get that guard in there.