custom fornt driveshaft

[neverendingproject]

what is the smallest OD for tubing I could safely use on a front driveshaft. around 6 inches longer than stock. Ive got a ford front shaft, i just want to make the diameter of the shaft smaller for my 4l80.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

It depends on how thick the tubing is.

I bet you could go as small as 1.5".

How small are you thinking?

 

[neverendingproject]

somewhere around there, its for the front and doesnt need to be balanced but not vibrate in off-road conditions. I was thinking going to DOM tubing. 1.5" is pretty small, I like that idea. Im using the superduty fornt c/v, and the more I think about it, the more it seems like I need to get the stuff machined down to do something like this. I just have to find a machine shop.

 

[neverendingproject]

BTW how thick should 1.5" tubing be? im thinking half an inch or more?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

BTW how thick should 1.5" tubing be? im thinking half an inch or more?

.500" wall would be WAY thicker than it needs to be.

.120" wall would probably survive unless you drop it on the rocks.

 

[neverendingproject]

How bout this?

link

Im thinking beef.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

wow cool site. Now you got me thinking

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Its going to be very difficult to balance a shaft that thick.

Its hard to balance a .250 wall shaft. .120 wall is pretty strong. If you want stronger, go cromoly.

 

[neverendingproject]

I run a part time case and lockouts. Balancing is not an issue, I just need it to run strait.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

I run a part time case and lockouts. Balancing is not an issue, I just need it to run strait.

Why not just run a square one then? Unlimited slip joint possibilites.

.250 wall is overkill. 3/8" is just silly.