To CV or not to CV... that is the driveshaft question

[GEORGIA GABE]

Front driveshaft help needed.
I am starting the next stage of the K5 and need some advise on what to do with my front and rear driveshafts.

First the specs on the K5:
87 K5 Blazer 350,700r4,203/205 with NWF doubler kit Front 60 with 35 spline chromos, Detroit and drive flanges. Rear Eaton with detroit. Front Suspension is 52 inch spring pack with the shackle relocated and rear is going to be 60+ spring pack with rear shackle flip from DIY.

I am about to start on the cage, Doubler install and have decided to go with 1410 joints at the 205 and front 60, Jess at high angle is going to try and find me a 1410 yoke for the Eaton. Until then it will be 1350 at the rear Diff. I have alot of flex out of the front of the truck, as well as the rear. I needed alot of slip in the front shaft when I had the 208 in the truck and am expecting to still need alot after the Doubler is installed. What I dont know is will I have enough flex out of the 1410 yokes to go without a CV on the front shaft or do I still need to put a CV up front. Also I was planning on building my shafts myself due to some financial restrictions (I have a wedding and honeymoon to pay for in May). What are your thoughts and suggestions on ways to build my shafts, and where are the best parts houses to get the weld on yokes and slip sections?

Front shaft
1410(at 60)-to-Slip of 12"+-to-Tube-to-1410 yoke or CV (at 205)
Rear Shaft
1410(at 205)-to-Tube-to-Slip of ~6"-to-1350 (at Eaton)

Flex Pics before the narrow job

Current Pic

 

[K5dreamer]

i have no idea what the answer to your question is.... but i kinda wanna hump your truck. that thing is SICK!!

 

[Leper]

How are you routing the front driveshaft? Is the stock crossmember gone?

 

[muddybuddy]

what bout a square shaft with 1410 joints? or you could run a normal 1410 joint at the tcase and an offset u-joint at the axle. i think im going to work something out with a 60 flange and run a toyota front cv axle since those can take alot of angle stock

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Generally a CV will limit travel, using one joint at each end will be able to take more angle.

There are exceptions, Jess makes a few high angle CV shafts.

 

[muddermilitia]

I'm interested to see what everyone says as well. I will be running almost the same setup as you except I will have th350 trans and a 14 bolt rear. I was planning 1410 u-joints all around or 1410s at the axles and dana 60 shaft yokes bolted to a flange at the t-case. Not sure yet, either way I need to buy u-joints and t-case flanges/or yokes. I can get the d60 shaft yokes for free.

 

[muddybuddy]

I'm interested to see what everyone says as well. I will be running almost the same setup as you except I will have th350 trans and a 14 bolt rear. I was planning 1410 u-joints all around or 1410s at the axles and dana 60 shaft yokes bolted to a flange at the t-case. Not sure yet, either way I need to buy u-joints and t-case flanges/or yokes. I can get the d60 shaft yokes for free.

hook it up!

 

[Citizen Rider]

im running 6" stock length springs in front, DIY4x shackle flip 6" shackle and a zero rate, 60/14 with a th350/205. I got a 1350 at the back of the case and 1410 at the axle. Up front i got 1410 at the axle and got the parts to put 1410 at the case, all on a square shaft. Will be plenty of angle for me to run. I think you would be able to get by with just 1410, maybe need a offset joint to help some. Ill prolly pick one up just to make sure.

 

[mrk5]

If you are looking to save money, I'd go with 1410s both ends. If you bind them, you can do the Wood's Superflex joint with the offset trunions.

I tried to find a place to by the parts and build my own shafts, but had no luck. I have bought a weld yoke from Jess @ HAD in the past. So you could at least get those from him.

 

[Citizen Rider]

If you are looking to save money, I'd go with 1410s both ends. If you bind them, you can do the Wood's Superflex joint with the offset trunions.

I tried to find a place to by the parts and build my own shafts, but had no luck. I have bought a weld yoke from Jess @ HAD in the past. So you could at least get those from him.

This is what i did to get my weld on yokes for the square shaft.