driveshaft tech

[mwood1985]

i need a drive shaft for a np205 for my blazer. my best friends for his t350/203 works fine in mine even though mine has a 4 speed manual. the junk yard asked if mine was a auto or manual and said they arent interchangeable. whats the difference and does it have to be for a manual trans or will any driveshaft for a 205 work as long as it has he slip shaft in the middle?

 

[NorCal_Chris]

some 205s have a slip yoke, thats not gonna interchange with a regualar shaft
Different trannys are different lengths, so they wont interchange that way
will either be too long or too short

 

[mwood1985]

mine is a fixed yoke plus the trucks got a 6 inch lift will a stock shaft fit or do i need to use a cut down truck shaft?

 

[diesel4me]

It's dam near impossible to say what length shaft your truck will need,there are so many variables--the amount of lift,the type of yoke it needs (slider or fixed),etc...

The trannys all end up about the same overall length ,close enough so the slip yoke splines may take up minor variances,but the transfer cases are all different lengths overall so you must often make a custom shaft to fit the particular truck & drivetrain combo--its possible to measure things up and go hunting for a used shaft at junkyards,but I find it very difficult to find any that haven't been bent when they picked up the truck with a forkloader--your better off getting yours re-tubed in the long run...

 

[Chaddy]

some 205s have a slip yoke, thats not gonna interchange with a regualar shaft
Different trannys are different lengths, so they wont interchange that way
will either be too long or too short

Yep.

 

[Chaddy]

mine is a fixed yoke plus the trucks got a 6 inch lift will a stock shaft fit or do i need to use a cut down truck shaft?

You will need to add a couple inches to the driveline.

 

[1BEATK5]

thats wierd that a d-shaft from a 203 will fit a 205. since the 203 is about 10" longer than a 205. there isnt much length difference from a sm465 to a th350.

measure youre truck before you go to the junk yard. then find a d-shaft thats the right length

 

[The Pumpkinator]

Why not just have a shop lengthen and balance one for you , that way you'll have the proper yokes and U joint sizes, and it will be the right length tuned to your truck.

 

[mwood1985]

i was planning on having the local drive shaft shop put new joints and balance both drive shafts for me. length we can figure out but where do i get the proper slip joint from? try a junkyard one and retube it or have a new tom woods or the equivalent made for my truck?

 

[diesel4me]

Most bearing supply stores and shops that do driveline repairs stock Spicer yokes ,slip splines and driveshaft tubing--might be more expensive going with new than used,but you'll be sure the yokes are not damaged or the splines are worn out that way...