Propeller Shaft (drive shaft) orientation

[sdnative]

I have both driveshafts out and need to confirm orientation so they go back in correctly (forgot to mark). I am almost 100% sure the front driveshaft goes with slip joint yoke towards the diff. And I am pretty confident that the rear driveshaft orientation is transmission dependent.

A343F (98-02) = slip joint yoke towards diff
A750F (03-07) = slip joint yoke towards transfer case.

My FSM, various pictures of trucks in the classifieds, and post 93 of this thread agree
Too Much Grease in Drive Shaft?

Is this orientation correct? Is there official Toyota literature confirming this?

 

[natehack]

In our 99 I just had the u-joints done and shafts balanced seeking a bad vibe elimination. Did not solve the vibes, but I reinstalled the front shaft with the yoke towards the front; that is the way ours came out.

Seems it fits better that way around the roll bar and would be logical (to me) to have the thicker end towards the transfer case.

Not really answering yer question, but that is what I ended up doing!

 

[abuck99]

Not clear on what you're referring to when you're mentioning the Yoke- there are 4, since there is a yoke connected to an output flange at each end of both propeller shafts. Are referring to the orientation of the slip joint- which direction its pointed, or the orientation of the yokes between the front & rear prop shafts?

More important than the slip joint orientation, is the yoke to flange orientation. Since you didn't mark the original mounted location you will likely experience some drive line vibes if not getting the yoke to flange connection exactly the same as before. Try to line up the outline of the rust marks on the yoke to flange connection. It will be trial and error you have a 50/50 chance- so if you get vibes after install, rotate 180 and try again. Worst case is having to rebalance DS.

Here's the orientation on the 2004-2007 driveline

 

[sdnative]

Yes, sorry meant which side the slip joint is on. I will correct the first post. The diagram you show seems to depict the early 98-02 arrangement. Interestingly, I re-installed the rear driveshaft in my 03 with the slip joint towards the xfer case with no vibes. Good point on the yoke to flange orientation. It would be a 50/50 chance x4 as there are 4 flanges.

Not related to original question, but I'll put it here for completeness: the front driveshaft yokes are in-phase, and the the rear driveshaft yokes are in-phase.

 

[abuck99]

FWIW The image I posted is from the 2004 FSM.

 

[Skidoo]

Recommend front drive shaft splines at front diff, if it is the other way around on lifted truck, sway bar will rub on drive shaft.
I have run front on my 2000 LC, both ways for many miles and did not notice a difference in ride.
For the rear recommend splines at t-case, this will protect seal surface at splines from abuse. Offroad the rear diff area is sandblasted by stuff coming off the front tires, and if it was in back, because its lower, it would have more chance of getting damaged by rocks.

 

[Skidoo]

Deleting duplicate post.

 

[badlander]

Another case for installing them with both splined ends at the diffs, per picture from manual, is that if you happen to have a leaky seal that might allow water entry, during a water crossing for example, having them angled down would let them drain naturally by gravity. Retained water in the spline would obviously be a bad thing for several reasons but hydraulicing would worry me the most.

 

[sdnative]

All good feedback, thanks. Seems odd that the FSM specifies it one way and there are cases of them installed the other way.

 

[abuck99]

All good feedback, thanks. Seems odd that the FSM specifies it one way and there are cases of them installed the other way.

Its ambiguous for sure-to make even stranger, if you look at the 80series arrangement The flange yokes are out of phase.

Note: (this is for 80series do not use this orientation for 100 series)