Driveshaft Swap

[daniel3507]

Im going to be doing a 4'' lift on the Ranger and know that i will need to swap my driveshaft for a one piece. I read over the tech library and such but am still confused as to which ones will fit. Ive always thought that if I get one from a 2wd ex cab it would bolt right up. What worries me now though is the fact that it is a larger driveshaft and I will have to trim so stuff but what I am most confused about is that now I am thinking I could need new flanges. Could someone help me out with all this?

 

[Grunizzle]

Yes I am looking to do the swap as well and have the questions.

 

[mjonesjr]

You will need one from a 2wd extended cab. It will bolt/slip right in.

The only thing you might need to trim is if you have a fuel tank skid plate.

 

[straycat]

Yes, the 2wd extended cab is an aluminum shaft and it will fit right on and you will love the way it looks and it is well balanced as well and very strong.

 

[daniel3507]

So I wont have to move the crossmember under the gas tank?

 

[adsm08]

"Cross member under the gas tank"?

If you mean the skid plate, it depends. I have a 98 shaft (the thinner steel one) and I don't have the rub issue. My understanding is that the only time you need to trim it is if you have the 02+ aluminum shaft which is fatter, and even then, if you plan on keeping the rear suspension level (no flexing) then it isn't as much of an issue.

If you have the fat shaft and/or plan on off-roading/flexing the rear then you need to grind the last inboard tab off the skid plate of it will rub.

 

[daniel3507]

The skid plate im not worried about. In the Tech Library it mentions about having to move a crossmember and that is the part im not so sure about. You can see it in this pic where it shows the rivets
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/June04/driveshaft2.jpg

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, the cross member itself is ok, the bracket that the carrier bolts to needs to go. It's in the way.

 

[mjonesjr]

The carrier bearing cross member is NOT structural to the frame. It can come out without any problems.

 

[dhinch279]

The carrier bearing cross member is NOT structural to the frame. It can come out without any problems.

Sorry to thread jack, but you can remove the carrier bearing cross member? If thats true than it will make my One-piece swap a bit easier

 

[mjonesjr]

Sorry to thread jack, but you can remove the carrier bearing cross member? If thats true than it will make my One-piece swap a bit easier

Yes, the carrier bearing cross member is ONLY there to hold the carrier bearing. It has no structural implication on the frame.

 

[daniel3507]

This may be easier than I thought if it will just slip right in and i dont have to worry the crossmember

 

[mjonesjr]

Once you get the carrier bearing cross member out, it is a matter of sliding the new shaft in.