Can I trim this driveshaft?

[Trashman]

I need to shorten my rear driveshaft approx 2"

Can I trim that off of the spline end safely? Or have a machine shop take it off the tube side?

First photo is approx how it needs to sit at ride height from cap-cap. (Center of cap to center of cap needs to be 16")

This is for a TJ. 4.3l/sm465/NP241/Dana 44

I may be able to stretch the wheelbase?

I am using the JBcustoms standard SYE. I guess I could have gotten the short version, but honestly expected to be the same or having to lengthen the driveshaft. My bad.

 

[Trashman]

If I trim it as the second photo shows It looks like I would have approx 4.5" of spline engagement.

I was considering cutting of approx 1.5" off the spline side (male) and cutting the female side approx where the tape measure ends.

 

[Stingray]

Sure, as long as full droop does not cause it to pull apart.


Do it.

Oh ......Wait....... nope no way on a jeep.

Do it

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Looking at the Pic, I'm not sure 2" is enough

Edit: that's what she said

 

[Zg86]

Id try it……..

 

[Oddball]

Just get the tube cut down the proper way ffs.

 

[No way]

This is the part you trim

 

[Trashman]

This is the part you trim

I understand that is how it SHOULD be done 😀

 

[Oddball]

You're going to chop the spline seal off if you go your route. Any money saved now will cost you down the road.

 

[Oddball]

you will also significantly reduce its travel.

 

[Winchested]

A local driveshaft shop should charge you no more than $150 to cut the one weld trim the tube and weld back up/ balance.

 

[Trashman]

Local guy is great, but stupid busy last I talked to him.

He quoted me approx 2x the price of Tom' Woods. I get it, he doesn't need the work.

 

[Steve300xcw]

A local driveshaft shop should charge you no more than $150 to cut the one weld trim the tube and weld back up/ balance.

unless some dork cuts those splines and all the coating peels off.

 

[Steve300xcw]

He quoted me approx 2x the price of Tom' Woods. I get it, he doesn't need the work.

For a new one or just to shorten it?

 

[Trashman]

For a new one or just to shorten it?

Whole new one (other project)

 

[Steve300xcw]

I wont try to match TomWoods prices either

But bring your driveline down there and let him wack it down. Like Winchested said your going to be in the $125-$150 range. If it wants to be a PITA its still only about an hour job.

 

[Trashman]

I wont try to match TomWoods prices either

But bring your driveline down there and let him wack it down. Like Winchested said your going to be in the $125-$150 range. If it wants to be a PITA its still only about an hour job.

Likely what I will do. I am debating pushing the rear axle back as well as it was a plan for the Jeep anyway, just not right now.

 

[No way]

I understand that is how it SHOULD be done 😀

Well then, get a 2nd hand shaft later on and fpr now hack the splines off your current one with a nail file
It'll either be just fine or exfuckinplode on the highway. Good times will be had.

 

[LScout800]

Trim it down, tack it together, spin it in the vehicle with a dial indicator, tap it with a hammer to get runout in check.

Cutting it from the splined end is a bad idea imo, you are going to lose the seal keeping dirt out and grease in. Plus I wonder how much of that end is splined, don't believe the are splined the entire legnth although I could be wrong. Reducing the amount of splines will wear it out prematurely.

 

[Trashman]

I have had luck shortening driveshafts the correct way before, but those projects rarely saw high mph (Samurai on 35s, a few front driveshafts over the years)