Help With Driveshaft Lengths

Hi TW,

I'm in the process of sourcing parts for a 4wd conversion for my 2001 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab V6 with the 340E Automatic Transmission. Will the rear driveshaft still fit after converting my 2wd Transmission to a 4wd with a transfer case? Will I need to replace this? Can I modify my existing driveshaft?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

You have a 2 piece shaft in the rear. The rear piece should be the same length regardless of drivetrain configuration. The front part is what's different. You will need the ine that was build for your new drivetrain components. You could also have a driveshaft shop make/modify your current shaft.

 

How much do you think this adaptation would set me back? Am I looking for a driveshaft specialty shop? Changing the length to fit a 4wd transmission with transfer case. I'm in California by the way

 

Any drive line shop can accommodate this. As mention, the rear driveshaft is a 2 piece, the rear section remains the same (going to axle). The piece going to the case from the CSB will need to get shorten. FYI, you will need to drop off the 2 piece shaft to have it balanced so it's in sync. Measure flange of pumpkin to flange of case, but tell them it's the front section that needs to be shorten and the rear remain the same. Should cost around 2 hundred.

 

Is this work something that a diy-er could handle?

 

Depends if you have a lathe and a welder to weld the flanges on the shortened tube.

then be able to balance and get the shaft in phase.

Much easier to just have it done if you have a good drive line shop.

 

If you have the skills to do cut and balanced the shaft, you will definitely have no issue with the rest of 4wd conversion. But based on the question you're asking, I doubt it.

 

I'm planning on doing the bulk of the conversion on my own. I'm trying to limit the amount of work I have someone else do for me. As of right now I'm only going to have someone press out my old wheel bearings and install the new wb's and manual hub spindles.

I'm planning on disassembling my existing transmission and swapping the output shaft and mounting flange and installing the ones off a donor. My existing transmission only has 110k miles if I can do the work myself and keep my tranny I'll be super thrilled.

I currently don't have a welder but ill be purchasing one pretty soon since I'll also be tackling a coastal offroad front bumper project. The reason I ask "is this something a diy-er can handle" is in regards to the equipment that's needed. Is the work something that someone can do in their garage/driveway or do you need crazy expensive equipment to do the driveshaft adaptation?

 

Yes, you'll need stupid expensive equipment... even a welder is considered expensive if you buy a excellent one...

 

You will not be able to do it yourself. It will also need to be balanced with the rear section attached to the shortened front. Here in AZ it would be $150 ish, in your state plan on $4-500.

 

Thanks everybody for their help! I will contact my local drive line shops to compare prices (and most important of all) quality of work.

 

Inflation is real but not have high, lol. My buddy went dual case and had his front extended and rear shorten and cost under 280.

I redid mine last month to a 1 piece rear and extended the front while I supplied everything they need minus the tube (2.75odx.156wall) and cost under 425 after tax.

 

For anyone wondering what this service would set you back "shortening and a balancing" as the driveline shops like to call it will set you back 220-225 in Central Valley, California

 

Thank you for the perfect example. This has nothing to do with inflation, it has everything to do with commifornia. those prices are high! I hope you can read this as your power might be out.

 

Nope, no power issue where I'm at. I went from central CA to AZ than NV and back to norcal before coming home during labor day weekend, there's not much of a price difference between the 3 states. So I don't know whether you're getting "it's only in commifornia"

Guess you don't go out much, perfect example of unknown knowledge...