rear drive shaft protection

[pimtool]

I have twisted several driveshafts into two pieces playing on the rocks.
Anybody have any thoughts on how to protect the driveshaft without losing much clearence?

I thought maybe angle iron right below the rear section, or maybe kinda like the 4 link arms just in close by the shaft.

Or is this just a riduculous idea that will never work?

This is a trail truck that is driven to the trails, so a big fat square shaft prolly wont work.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Build an anti-wrap bar that will go along side the drive shaft and hang down just a hair lower to protect it?

 

[4x4junkie]

I've had that thought myself as well after smashing the rear driveshaft a couple times on my Ranger. What I ended up doing was just having the shaft rebuilt with a thicker wall tube (stock they're pretty thin, ranging from about .090-.062" wall or so, it don't take much at all to dent & ruin them)

 

[NMB2]

get a good driveshaft and you can not worry about it.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

That works too....I twisted up a stock 98 shaft on some rocks once. The new shaft is .120 wall...haven't had any problems yet.

 

[pimtool]

Thanks guys,

 

[4x4junkie]

Another idea, turn it around the other way so the slip-spline end is down at the axle. This part of the shaft will tolerate a bigger hit from a rock than the tube (you'll probably have to swap your flanges around).

 

[pimtool]

Another idea, turn it around the other way so the slip-spline end is down at the axle. This part of the shaft will tolerate a bigger hit from a rock than the tube (you'll probably have to swap your flanges around).

Sorry, I didnt mention its a supercab with the two piece drive shaft. It has the short shaft up front with the carrier bearing.

 

[nate09]

Sorry, I didnt mention its a supercab with the two piece drive shaft. It has the short shaft up front with the carrier bearing.

youre running a 2 piece with 6" of lift? why not move up to a 1 piece?

 

[pimtool]

youre running a 2 piece with 6" of lift? why not move up to a 1 piece?

I changed the yoke on the carrier bearing, so now I can slide a explorer drive shaft in there in 10 mins. I carry a couple extra shafts with me behind the seat, cant do that with a one piece. I think I have better clearance under the belly of the truck.

 

[MAranger]

1 pc is more susceptible to trail damage, as the carrier bearing "hides" that section of the shaft up in the frame rails