Do I have a "stock" driveshaft? 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 automatic with 4.0l engine. 126 inch wheelbase.

[bobbywalter]

you should see the 150 junk that need spacers to rejoint.... its crazy.

 

[RussAdams]

you will need a 1310 1330 cross joint...i run those on some of my shafts...

Great! Thank you for the U joint link! Unfortunately no-one local carries the Spicer. What do you think of the Moog?

Moog Part # 353

Looks like the rear flange lines up great to my old driveshaft. The mounting bolts fit right in.

 

[RussAdams]

Bobby, While I'm here, I may as well swap out the old rear U-joint too. Do you happen to know that part number?

 

[bobbywalter]

aye....the moog is fine.....whatever ya get keep an eye on it.


still would rather have the big pattern flange on the t case and bolt the shaft in. i would take your joint out first before doing anything and match it to the moog joint at the store. if its good...caliper the 1330 side and check it....


if its good.... its good.

there is quite a bit of variance between brands....usually not enough to worry about.. ...but always check...

1330 and 1310 are just the generic terms i use to get in the ball park.

have them look up your year and compare directly.

 

[4x4junkie]

I seem to recall all the rear U-joints used on 1998-2011 trucks were Spicer 1330-series regardless of if the shaft was aluminum or steel (1310-series joints I recall ended after 1997 along with the two-piece shaft w/carrier bearing).
Are you not able to swap the smaller flange off your old driveshaft onto the new (to you) driveshaft?

 

[RussAdams]

I seem to recall all the rear U-joints used on 1998-2011 trucks were Spicer 1330-series regardless of if the shaft was aluminum or steel (1310-series joints I recall ended after 1997 along with the two-piece shaft w/carrier bearing).
Are you not able to swap the smaller flange off your old driveshaft onto the new (to you) driveshaft?

Thanks for the reply!

I removed the front flange off the old driveshaft, and both flanges off the junk-yard driveshaft. I plan to install new U-joints while I'm doing the driveshaft.

I soaked the flanges and old rear U-joint in Evaporust overnight and will look at the rear U-joint this morning to get the correct part number. CarQuest near me has a Moog #353 in stock.

Goofily enough if I buy the parts online versus walking into the store I get a discount. So I'm going to order and pay online then go pick up. Odd world we live in today!

 

[RussAdams]

Wire brushed down the flanges and old rear U-Joint.

The rear U-Joint appears to be a Spicer 539.

There was an interesting difference in the quality of the flanges. The small one has a Ford logo, and has a much better casting and finish. Very little rust on the Ford one in comparison with the rear flange, made by Spicer. The Spicer groove for the circlip is suspect. I hope it holds! Will try before installing the new U-Joint.

 

[RussAdams]

For anyone interested, here's the difference between the Spicer F2-789 spline and the Spicer F2-82-759.

The splines match but the F2-789 is longer.

 

[bobbywalter]

yeah.... some stuff wont matter in stock conditions... but knowing these minute details helps when you lift a few inches....to know whether rolling the dice is worth it or not....

 

[RussAdams]

Well crap. Bought a new Spicer 5-213X U-Joint for the rear of the driveshaft and it won't fit because the shoulder diameter is too large.

What to do in this situation?

I can't find a Spicer cross reference for exact fit replacement for the original Spicer 539.

Grind down the shoulder?

Or?

 

[RussAdams]

Geezo

Or flip it over and it slides right in.

Sometimes the idiot is looking at you in the mirror.

 

[bobbywalter]

yeah....or pull the zerk.

 

[RussAdams]

Thanks to all that helped, the driveshaft is re-installed and working beautifully. Replaced front and rear u-joints. Lubricated the splines. No vibrations. Transfer case, front and rear differentials fluids are all changed.

It was a challenge getting the correct driveshaft.

Thanks to you, I learned about the difference between 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive drive shafts. And that it's easy to use a driveshaft with a different U-joint size simply by buying a combination u-joint with the correct sizes for the shaft and flange.

Greatly appreciate the advice! Russ