Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

[mortgageman]

Has anyone simply used the 4wd front prop shaft and pinion flanges instead of the Gilbert shaft?

I've spent a lot of time reading through all the threads about how weak the stock, front prop shaft is. In viewing all the pics of the Gilbert shaft, it appears to be equivalent to a 4wd shaft. I'm nearing the completion of a 4wd to AWD conversion on my 94 Blazer and considering just swapping the two pinion flanges and using my 4wd shaft with new u-joints. My local Clutch Products rep confirmed this would be better than the stock and that they would install heavy duty u-joints and re-balance the shaft for me at a cost of $105 including tax. That's about one third the cost of the Gilbert shaft. I'm using the offset oil filter adapter as suggested by JTR, and using the 4wd front pinion flange will give me additional clearance with the oil filter. It also gives me more clearance between the A/C evaperator housing and the passenger side exhaust manifold (Camaro LT1, early 90's) by NOT requiring the engine offset toward the passenger side. This setup looks like the perfect solution to me and I'm just wondering if anyone else has used it.

 

[ffmeltdown]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

Just modified a 4x4 propshaft to replace the awd toasted cv joint.

here's pics and part numbers, would tell you how it performs, but my truck is on stands for a while still. :roll:

propshaft to t-case, spicer 5-350 u-joints, spicer 2-2-939 flanged yoke (http://www.rockforddriveline.com/2_FlangeYokes.pdf), and metric 10.9 hardened bolts:

1988 4X4 shaft and 88 front yoke out of a blazer / jimmy, swaps right in to the front diff, same u-joint as stated above:

Total cost:

shaft and front yoke :dunno: came w/ truck
shorten shaft to 23 1/2" joint to joint, weld, balance, press in u-joints : $60
spicer 2-2-939 flange $24
spicer 5-350 u-joints from napa, p/n: 210-0350 $31

If you do go w/ this setup, please first purchase the flange and yoke, bolt into place then measure from center u-joint to center u-joint to convey the length to the driveshaft shop. I've got a 350 shoehorned into mine w/ a bravada t-case and not sure if everything would measure the same for yours.

Hope this helps someone out.

Jeff

Found this thread. You could contact him to see how it worked. The thread is dated 2-24-2006. Surely its off the stands by now.
Respectfully,
Tom

 

[4C FED]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

I have a 4wd front shaft on mine. It still has the double cardan where as the Gilbert doesn't.
It seems to work fine although I'm not sure how many boost launches it would hold up to.

 

[mattw]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

To me the original Gilberts always looked JUST LIKE a stock 4x4 front shaft.

I always wanted to get two side by side to compare but never had the opportunity.

-Matt

 

[mortgageman]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

Thank you Tom. I'd had not seen this post, but it sounds in line with my observations as well. The link to his photos is broken so I can't see the pics he's referring to. My original 4wd shaft is not the double cardin joint. It's just standard u-joint on both ends.

 

[jwaller]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

the gilbert it larger than the stock 4wd shaft and uses better joints and better steel. Also the 4wd transfer case flange will not fit our xcase and it wont bolt to our flange. so it wont directly bolt it.

 

[mortgageman]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

Thanks for the heads-up on the t-case flange. I already sold the 4wd t-case, with the flange still on it, so I didn't have it on hand when testing my theory. What's different about the two flanges? I figured if the 4wd flange wouldn't work, then I could use an aftermarket flange that's either a direct replacement for the AWD flange, or one that would mate with it like the Gilbert shaft does. I cleaned up my 4wd shaft last night (it was totally ganked with mud) and it seems plenty beefy for my application. I'm running a mildly built 350 tuned-port motor. I've also installed the RPM coil-over conversion kit to eliminate the torsion bars. It's coming together nicely!

 

[ffmeltdown]

Re: Using the 4wd Front Prop Shaft

Go shaft yourself!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just modified a 4x4 propshaft to replace the awd toasted cv joint.

here's pics and part numbers, would tell you how it performs, but my truck is on stands for a while still.

propshaft to t-case, spicer 5-350 u-joints, spicer 2-2-939 flanged yoke (http://www.rockforddriveline.com/2_FlangeYokes.pdf), and metric 10.9 hardened bolts:


1988 4X4 shaft and 88 front yoke out of a blazer / jimmy, swaps right in to the front diff, same u-joint as stated above:


Total cost:

shaft and front yoke came w/ truck
shorten shaft to 23 1/2" joint to joint, weld, balance, press in u-joints : $60
spicer 2-2-939 flange $24
spicer 5-350 u-joints from napa, p/n: 210-0350 $31

If you do go w/ this setup, please first purchase the flange and yoke, bolt into place then measure from center u-joint to center u-joint to convey the length to the driveshaft shop. I've got a 350 shoehorned into mine w/ a bravada t-case and not sure if everything would measure the same for yours.

Hope this helps someone out.

Jeff
__________________
*Jeff*
97 S-10 ext cab LS 4.3. 5 spd GONE
89 S-10 ext cab LT4/4l60-E GONE
00 Silverado ext cab 5.3 4L60-E, Transgo Shift kit, Hayden Cooler, Magnaflow exhaust, K&N, !MAF, !TB, www.pcm4less.com tune
85 Jimmy, 96 LT1/4L60-E, AWD - Project Tyclone


Moderators, is it possible to open the pictures in this thread? Thanks!! Since the thread started I have been lightly researching the possiblity of using a 4x4 shaft without the double cardan. I have so far found that 83-94 s10 blazers have this type of shaft. by using the above mentioned flange yoke for the transfer end and a doner yoke & shaft it seems this would produce a prop shaft without the double cardan and be very similar to the gilbert shaft. I am uncertain of the resulted length but i did call Rockford today and they quoted me a price of $14 bucks for the R2-2-939 Flange. Pictures of a 83-94 s10/blazer 4x4 shaft sure would help. Measusurements and pictures would be awsome!!
Respectfully,
Tom