03 2WD Longbed Auto Aluminum Driveshaft?

[Thanks47]

My 03 2wd auto longbed ranger needs a new driveshaft and I'd like to find an aluminum one without breaking the bank. I just rebuilt the 8.8 diff with Ford brand 4.10 gears and bearings and a traclok. The oem steel driveshaft is pretty rusty and one of the u joint caps fits loose. I have a vibration that's pretty ruff from 60mph up that feels like a bad u joint. While the rearend was out I replaced the trans tail housing bushing and seal. The bushing was into the copper all around and I had some vibration at speed before the work. Now the vibration feels a bit sharper. Anyone know how many rpm the aluminum driveshafts can take in this length? I believe it will turn close to 3800 rpm at the speed cutout.
I'm willing to have an aluminum driveshaft shortened if I have to but I'm hoping to find a direct fit. Any advice is appreciated.

Just for the record I'm an old man, not a kid trying to hotrod it.

 

[SenorNoob]

I was under the impression that single piece was standard after 98. Also wasn't aware of any longbeds that late but...


Maybe look into the 98 models? I'd be willing to bet the aluminum shaft costed mor to produce and was eventually unused when it was determined a steel one worked well enough. Only one listing on car-part.com mentions steel. The other just don't say. Call and ask?

 

[sgtsandman]

Car-part.com might be your best bet to find one. If an aluminum one exists, it will probably be on there.

As an idea, if you get the length of your current driveshaft and compare it to an aluminum one from a Supercab shortbed, they might be the same length. I believe the wheel base between a regular cab long bed and a Supercab short bed is the same.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’ve seen supercab short beds with the aluminum driveshaft, I own the two I’ve seen, a 2000 3.0 5-speed 2wd Supercab short bed and a 2001 4.0 auto 4x4 Supercab short bed…

Between myself and some people close to me, we have a 98, two 99, and two 00 rangers other than those that all have steel driveshafts. I haven’t been able to determine why most got steel and some got aluminum.

I do know that the steel one in my green 00 shed the balance weight. I ended up having to shorten it anyway and took it to a driveline shop to balance. They ended up tacking a new weight where the factory one was and about the same size so I guess I did alright shortening the driveshaft myself

 

[Thanks47]

I was under the impression that single piece was standard after 98. Also wasn't aware of any longbeds that late but...

It is single piece and I have a 7 foot bed, 118" wheelbase. So far I can't find a driveshaft for it.

 

[SenorNoob]

Supercab is 125" wheel base.

So would be longer.

 

[Thanks47]

From my research so far the 2wd supercab 126" wheelbase driveshaft is 66". The 2wd longbed 118" wheelbase driveshaft is 65". Doesn't sound right to me. If anyone has more or different info I'd like to hear it.

 

[sgtsandman]

From my research so far the 2wd supercab 126" wheelbase driveshaft is 66". The 2wd longbed 118" wheelbase driveshaft is 65". Doesn't sound right to me. If anyone has more or different info I'd like to hear it.

There is enough of a variance comparing a supercab short bed with a regular cab long bed that a 1 inch shorter driveshaft for the long bed could indeed be a thing. Going with a longer driveshaft could end up with binding issues as the axle moves with the suspension and moves in and out of the rear of the transmission. You might be stuck with the steel driveshaft unless you have a shop that does driveshaft work near you. They could remove that extra inch and get it balanced for you. Assuming they are able to work with aluminum.

 

[Thanks47]

There is enough of a variance comparing a supercab short bed with a regular cab long bed that a 1 inch shorter driveshaft for the long bed could indeed be a thing. Going with a longer driveshaft could end up with binding issues as the axle moves with the suspension and moves in and out of the rear of the transmission. You might be stuck with the steel driveshaft unless you have a shop that does driveshaft work near you. They could remove that extra inch and get it balanced for you. Assuming they are able to work with aluminum.

How could one have a 10 inch longer wheelbase and only a 1 inch longer driveshaft? Everything up front is in the exact same location. End of the transmission is the exact same distance from the front wheels.
I do have a big driveshaft shop near me that does everything including custom builds. I'll probably buy the longer one and have it shortened.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

How could one have a 10 inch longer wheelbase and only a 1 inch longer driveshaft? Everything up front is in the exact same location. End of the transmission is the exact same distance from the front wheels.
I do have a big driveshaft shop near me that does everything including custom builds. I'll probably buy the longer one and have it shortened.

4x4. The transfer case accounts for the extra length. A supercab 2wd will have a much longer driveshaft for the longer wheelbase. Numbers are wrong somewhere.

 

[Thanks47]

4x4. The transfer case accounts for the extra length. A supercab 2wd will have a much longer driveshaft for the longer wheelbase. Numbers are wrong somewhere.

We're only talking about 2wd. I think I'm going to search for a longer aluminum driveshaft and then have Carolina Driveline shorten it for me. Seems like the lowest overall cost and a sure fit.