97 drive shaft replacement

[psvines]

I recently lifted my 4wd supercab 97 Ranger, and now have drive shaft vibration. Many have suggested either lowering the carrier member or replacing the 2-piece drive shaft with a 1-piece.

I'm going to try the drive shaft option.

Will a 98 drive shaft fit?

Do I completely remove the carrier member?

Lift is a Skyjacker 4".

 

[engdept]

You need a 1 piece drive shaft out of a '98+ super cab 4wd Ranger (aluminum or steel). You WILL have to remove the carrier bearing AND cross member. The cross member is NOT structural to the frame so you will be fine without it (it is there only to hold the carrier bearing).

 

[psvines]

Thanks for the info.
I've seen 98 shafts on ebay, listed as 126" wb.
My truck is 125", although after lifting it is actually about 124.5".
How much leeway exists with drive shafts?

(The lift was my first experience working on the truck other than oil changes and bulb replacements, i.e. very much a newbie)

 

[engdept]

A buddy of mine put on the 1 piece driveshaft on his '97 Ranger without any problems. There is plenty of room for the shaft on your truck. The drive shaft has a slip joint in it.

 

[psvines]

So the slip joint has a few inches of play? I'm still nervous about undertaking this project, although if it will eliminate the vibration I should get started on it.

I measured the total length of my '97 2-piece drive shaft and it is 59". I measured a 1-piece '98 drive shaft and it is 60".

Also, my diameter is 2.5" and the '98 is 3.66". Looks like the diameter should work, with possibly the gas tank skid plate needing the edge bent up or cut off.


Note, more confusion for me is that the tech library doc on this states that the cross member is structural, yet many have told me in the forums that it is not.


Thanks to all the TRS members for the useful advice on this.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I just ground the rivets holding the carrier bearing part on to the crossmember. With the bearing part out of the way, the crossmemeber does not interfere with the driveshaft with 6" of lift so you will definatly be fine with 4" of lift.

 

[psvines]

Thanks, very helpful info.

 

[bottledgt]

you can still use the 2 piece if you set up all the angles right. mine went 80-90 mph smooth as silk. call dana/spicer and get the angle specs, and adjust accordingly

 

[metalmacguyver]

Mine was smooth as silk till one of the ujoints went. Mind you the joints had 110K and 11 years on them but, it would have been fine for another 10K if it was not at some funny angles.