Should I get a 2 piece driveshaft

HtxChapter · November 7, 2015

Just recently dropped my 2015 single cab silverado with a full 3/6 mcgaughys drop kit. Do I need a 2 piece driveshaft?

07Softail · November 7, 2015

If your not having any trouble you shouldn't need one.

RT

Darth_Vader · November 8, 2015

You might need to cut it down. I replaced the McGaughy flip with the DJM so I'd have some slack because the McGaughy kit jammed the driveshaft all the way in to the transmission.

07Softail · November 9, 2015

You might need to cut it down. I replaced the McGaughy flip with the DJM so I'd have some slack because the McGaughy kit jammed the driveshaft all the way in to the transmission.

Really? I have plenty of room on mine.

RT

Darth_Vader · November 9, 2015

Really? I have plenty of room on mine.

RT

Yeah, using the DJM kit to shift the axle back a 1/4" gave me 1/4" of slack on the slip yolk. I still can't remove the driveshaft without prying or unbolting some stuff to get the slack needed to decouple it at the rear. Seemed like a recipe for worn seals and bearings with the McGaughy's kit installed. I couldn't even get the axle to match up to the pins on the leaf springs, McGaughy's solution? Use ratchet straps to pull the axle forward until it could all be bolted together. Seems suspect.

HtxChapter · November 10, 2015

If your not having any trouble you shouldn't need one.

RT

I don't have any problem with it but I don't want it to become an issue later on

HtxChapter · November 10, 2015

You might need to cut it down. I replaced the McGaughy flip with the DJM so I'd have some slack because the McGaughy kit jammed the driveshaft all the way in to the transmission.

Where's you having any problems with the driveshaft being jammed up with the mcgaughys kit?

HtxChapter · November 10, 2015

Here is a quick video of what my driveshaft currently looks like

https://youtu.be/i04k7IlnHO4

Darth_Vader · November 10, 2015

Take a pic of where the slip yoke goes in to the back of the transmission and I can tell you if you have any slack left, or I can snap a pic when I get home tonight and show you what I mean. McGaughy's will say that you probably won't have any serious problems if you don't have any slack, but you will eventually wear out your rear seal and pinion bearings at a higher rate due to the tension on the driveline.

As I said, mine was beyond not having slack and went into the realm of having to force my axle forward with ratchet straps in order to get it mounted back to the leaf springs. I know there are at least two or three other RC guys on here who have had the driveshaft cut down. If you have a reputable driveline shop around that is an option too, have them take an inch or so out of your driveshaft and rebalance it. I didn't have that option where I live so I did the DJM kit which is designed to move the axle back to create the slack taken away from lowering the truck. As my truck sits now, with all my angles dialed in on my driveline I have enough play in my driveline that I should no longer tag the driveshaft into the tranny when the suspension moves.

HtxChapter · November 10, 2015

Take a pic of where the slip yoke goes in to the back of the transmission and I can tell you if you have any slack left, or I can snap a pic when I get home tonight and show you what I mean. McGaughy's will say that you probably won't have any serious problems if you don't have any slack, but you will eventually wear out your rear seal and pinion bearings at a higher rate due to the tension on the driveline.

As I said, mine was beyond not having slack and went into the realm of having to force my axle forward with ratchet straps in order to get it mounted back to the leaf springs. I know there are at least two or three other RC guys on here who have had the driveshaft cut down. If you have a reputable driveline shop around that is an option too, have them take an inch or so out of your driveshaft and rebalance it. I didn't have that option where I live so I did the DJM kit which is designed to move the axle back to create the slack taken away from lowering the truck. As my truck sits now, with all my angles dialed in on my driveline I have enough play in my driveline that I should no longer tag the driveshaft into the tranny when the suspension moves.