drive shaft quiz?

[ForOffRoadDriving]

im stumped here and maybe you guys can help me out. ive got a 94 ranger with the 3.0l and the m50d. its 2wd and extended cab with a 7.5" rear end. i need a driveshaft to finish it up but id like to ditch the 2-piece shaft for a 1-piece. the truck used to have the a4ld in it, but im not a big fan of fords autos so i swapped it out. i read in the tech section that a driveshaft from a 1998 and newer ranger will fit and will be 1 piece but i want to verify that this is true. i measured it this morning and from the axle flange to the end of the output shaft on the trans i got 72". does anyone know how many different length drive shafts ford made for the rangers?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you need to get a driveline from the same wheelbase truck as yours. there are 3 different wheel bases: standard cab short bed, standard cab long bed, and supercab.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

so i can still use the same 2 piece shaft that came off the auto trans then? i thought the trans lenghts were different and i would need a new shaft anyways.

 

[rurouni20xx]

from what ive been told on here and read up on is the a4ld and m50dr1 are the same length tranny, hence the reason i want to do the swap as well, that and the a4ld wont hold up to the extra power im going to add (from burned out 3.0 to turbo 3.3) your stock driveshaft should fit, im not a fan of the 2 piece either, but im going to stick to it as it fits w/o any modification, otherwise ill have a driveshaft running into the crossmember that holds the carrier bearing when i hit a bump. my trk is 4wd and sets higher so the driveshaft angle may be dif if you have a 2wd. i may be wrong on this (as i havent done this myself yet but want to see how it works out for further reference) but it doesnt hurt to try if you still have the original driveline off the vehicle.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you can resuse your stock shaft. the M5OD and A4LD (and its sucessors the 4R and 5R series) are all the same length. the advantage of going to the one-piece driveline used in the newer truck is it doesnt have the troublesome carrier bearing on it. it may require a few minor mods to the truck depending on your application.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

well then its all good. i can use the 2 piece for the time being, in case i have to move it any distance and in the mean time i will keep looking for a 1 piece shaft. so if i go to the junk yard and look for a driveshaft off from a 1999 extended cab then it should be the same length, about 72" long? does it matter if its 2 or 4 wheel drive (flanged vs. slip yoke)?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the length will be fine. you will need to get the shaft from the appropriate drive (2wd, 4wd). you maybe be able to use your current driveshaft to "convert" a junkyard one for your needs...but i dont know if the u-joints are the same. for simplicities sake, id just get one that already fits your needs.

 

[4x4junkie]

I do believe the output spline is different on a 2WD manual vs. auto transmission. You'll need at least a new front section on your driveshaft. I'd just go get the 1-pc for it (there is only one driveshaft length for any '88up Supercab Ranger).

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks alot wicked sludge and 4x4 junkie, you guys have helped clear things up alot for me. this site kicks ass! check out my build thread if you havent already.

 

[wvcat]

I have a spare 2wd ext cab driveshaft, it is aluminum and from a 1999. I'm not sure about shipping it though.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

where are you located? if its straight with no dents id be interested. im located at 48442 Holly,MI.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

well i put the shaft in today and it didnt go so well. apparently the A4LD is 3" longer from the bell housing to the output shaft than the M5OD. so now im looking at either getting a 1 piece or getting another 2 piece from a manual super cab and just using the front section since i already replaced the u joints and carrier bearing. now i understand what 4x4 junkie was saying about the front section. oh well, just a minor speed bump in a long road of mechanical mayhem.

 

[wvcat]

I am in WV 26047(near pittsburgh pa) I will have to check on the shipping. I can send you a picture this evening. email me your email address at jph26047@ comcast.net.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the A4LD and M5OD are the same length...something else is amiss here....

 

[Rolled Ranger]

Yeah, the trannies are the same length. I got my 1-piece shaft for my auto tranny out of a truck with a manual.