Front drive shaft options

ncjeepinyj · 03-01-2005, 09:51 PM

I have a 95 YJ, 2.5, 5 speed that is sprung over and am looking for some options for my front driveshaft. I already have a SYE and CV shaft for the rear so it is time to do something with the front now. I was wondering if i would be better off just having my current driveshaft lengthened or look into getting a new one, maybe a long travel shaft. My other concern is that i will probably want to install a 1.5'' or 2'' lift next year and dont want to have to have it extended again. Is there something i can do now that i can still use (and not have to worry too much about dropping it out) after an aditional 2'' of lift?

YJ_Aaron · 03-01-2005, 09:59 PM

Why do you think you need a longer shaft? I'm running SOA with 2" springs and mine is fine. Now if you do shackle reversal then you will need a long travel shaft. You have to think about shaft travel in relation to suspension travel.

Anyway you shouldn't need it lengthened.

rockjock · 03-01-2005, 10:11 PM

I think Aaron may be right. You could always build a square drive shaft.

ChilliPepper · 03-01-2005, 10:11 PM

Try pulling the shaft apart and see how long it will extend. My YJ is SOA with 7 leaf waggies up front and the wheelbase extended a bit. I just wheeled it this weekend and it worked fine. The only thing I need to do is notch the front of the transfercase skidplate as it hits the shaft at full droop.

phlex234 · 03-01-2005, 10:14 PM

for long travel front DS ask sjplat he has a 8" travel with SRS and it still isnt enough, or he had that? not sure

YJ_Aaron · 03-01-2005, 10:35 PM

Yes but like i said, sjplat is also running a Shackel Reversal which changes direction of shaft travel at droop.

I also had to notch my skid plate for my shaft.

phlex234 · 03-01-2005, 10:36 PM

oh i know he has SRS, but for SOA cant see why you need longer front driveshaft

YJ_Aaron · 03-01-2005, 10:55 PM

I know i'm agreeing with you on the you DON'T need one with just SOA.

sjlplat · 03-02-2005, 12:57 AM

Just built a new front shaft tonight. Square stock with 1350 yokes. This thing weighs in at close to 50lbs, and has 24" travel. I won't have any more front shaft issues.

ncjeepinyj · 03-02-2005, 11:34 AM

I have just heard people suggest a longer front driveshaft after going any bigger than SOA. But hey, if there are people on here running the stock front shaft with 2'' springs and SOA, i guess that is proof that is will work. When i do decide to lift a little more i will just try it and see how it goes, but if i do a shackle reversal then i know i will need one so i will just plan around that when the time comes. Thanks everyone for the replies.

YJ_Aaron · 03-02-2005, 11:39 AM

Ya that sounds like a plan. If Shackle Reversal you'll be in Sjplat's shoes and need long travel. I'm planning on doing shackle reversal down the road and will build a long travel square shaft.

rockjock · 03-02-2005, 12:26 PM

Since its talked about here.... what makes you want the shackle reverse?

YJ_Aaron · 03-02-2005, 12:32 PM

It will make the ride better as well as give me flex offroad. At the same time i will probably add more wheel base. Right now i'm 2" longer than stock.

Then again i'm also kind of partial to coils and may just go that route.

sjlplat · 03-02-2005, 03:42 PM

SRS improves ride quality, increases articulation, and improves front traction, while increasing braking distance.

**paultyler** · 05-27-2005, 11:15 AM

Sorry to bring this post back, but i am planning on a shackle reversal very soon. Apart from buying a new, longer front drive shaft, what are my other options? Several of you mention that you built your own. How? Also, are there shafts off other vehicles that will work on the front of a YJ to increase the length/travel? Thanks.

03-01-2005, 10:11 PM	#4
ChilliPepper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 30 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Try pulling the shaft apart and see how long it will extend. My YJ is SOA with 7 leaf waggies up front and the wheelbase extended a bit. I just wheeled it this weekend and it worked fine. The only thing I need to do is notch the front of the transfercase skidplate as it hits the shaft at full droop. __________________ 95YJ, Waggy 44 front, Passport 44 rear w/disks, 589 gears w/LockRites, SOA, 37" Baja Claws, and 4 very angry squirrels. [URL=http://www.tgtwoffroad.com]TGTWOffroad[/URL]

03-01-2005, 10:14 PM	#5
phlex234 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Gate, Republic of California Posts: 1,515 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	for long travel front DS ask sjplat he has a 8" travel with SRS and it still isnt enough, or he had that? not sure __________________ [SIZE=2][B]HI, my name is phlex234 and i approve this message because it's my destiny[/B][/SIZE] [B]Jeep 2.5 Low Output club member #2 92 Red YJ, 3.5 Bds lift, 1" body lift, 1" motor mount lift, 33 in tires, long travel DT3000 shocks, m.o.r.e. 3/8 boomerang shackels, 4:56 gears, Tj flares, rock-it man front and rear bumper, Terraflex SYE and Tom Woods CV driveshaft, herculined tub, custom homemade rocker panels, powered by the almighty 4 cylinder[/B] [URL=http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155355]NEVER FORGET[/URL]

03-01-2005, 10:36 PM	#7
phlex234 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Gate, Republic of California Posts: 1,515 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	oh i know he has SRS, but for SOA cant see why you need longer front driveshaft __________________ [SIZE=2][B]HI, my name is phlex234 and i approve this message because it's my destiny[/B][/SIZE] [B]Jeep 2.5 Low Output club member #2 92 Red YJ, 3.5 Bds lift, 1" body lift, 1" motor mount lift, 33 in tires, long travel DT3000 shocks, m.o.r.e. 3/8 boomerang shackels, 4:56 gears, Tj flares, rock-it man front and rear bumper, Terraflex SYE and Tom Woods CV driveshaft, herculined tub, custom homemade rocker panels, powered by the almighty 4 cylinder[/B] [URL=http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155355]NEVER FORGET[/URL]

03-01-2005, 10:11 PM	#3
rockjock Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 49 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I think Aaron may be right. You could always build a square drive shaft.

03-02-2005, 12:57 AM	#9
sjlplat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,231 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Just built a new front shaft tonight. Square stock with 1350 yokes. This thing weighs in at close to 50lbs, and has 24" travel. I won't have any more front shaft issues.

03-02-2005, 11:34 AM	#10
ncjeepinyj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 1,077 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have just heard people suggest a longer front driveshaft after going any bigger than SOA. But hey, if there are people on here running the stock front shaft with 2'' springs and SOA, i guess that is proof that is will work. When i do decide to lift a little more i will just try it and see how it goes, but if i do a shackle reversal then i know i will need one so i will just plan around that when the time comes. Thanks everyone for the replies.

03-02-2005, 12:26 PM	#12
rockjock Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 49 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Since its talked about here.... what makes you want the shackle reverse?

03-02-2005, 03:42 PM	#14
sjlplat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,231 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	SRS improves ride quality, increases articulation, and improves front traction, while increasing braking distance.