2 drive shaft questions..

[JimRummy]

A buddy of mine gave me a aluminum driveshaft that should fit my 93 4.0 at. I noticed some marks on the shaft that go all the way around, like if it had been put on a lathe.

My questions are; do the pros to an aluminum drive shaft justify installing it, and would that scaring mess up its balance or what have you?
many thanks,

 

[4x4junkie]

Unless it's dented or deeply gouged, I wouldn't worry about it.

If I was to guess, I'd say the marks are from suspension flex causing the shaft to rub against the truck's fuel tank skidplate (which if you have one also, you may want to trim it back as much as you can so that it doesn't hit it).

 

[adsm08]

Looks like a bar code. Get that beast in there before it rolls away.

 

[cvar]

Ford TSB says: if you replace the 3.5" steel driveshaft with 4.0" aluminum rear driveshaft, then also replace the skid plate with Ford's newer Skid Plate (1L5Z-9A147-AA), which is narrower.

Photos of my driveshaft skid plate clearances, for 2-piece, and for 1-piece steel driveshaft are at http://imgur.com/a/BL7mz and I think your aluminum driveshaft would have 1/2" LESS clearance. That pretty much guarantees it'll scrape!