is there a solid drive line/ drive shaft.

Can you take off the original drive line and put a solid one on a 1st gen ???? i kinda dont trust the original drive line and have to worry about 4 u-joints, plus my two middle u-joints look like they need to be replaced.... so is there a drive line from another truck that will fit or do they make aftermarket ones ???? or whats your guys opinion on the original should i just fix it......

 

thats the only way ?

 

...I think you're trying to say "driveshaft".

Yes, aftermarket fab is about the only option. Relax. It costs money but it's not exorbitant in the grand scheme of truck parts.

How bout this for low cost: Grease your u-joints per the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, and if some are worn out, *replace them*.

 

the 2 joints in the middle can not be easily replaced like the one on the end. that is a double cardan joint. my bro is a pro mechanic and told me i would be better off having a driveshaft shop replace them because the center has to be rebuilt. a shop quoted me 175 for everything joints labor balancing and the center.

 

...Double cardan joints are just two regular u-joints in series. There's really nothing to replacing them that isn't also involved in replacing a standard u-joint.

 

not that simple theres a center bearing inside that double cardan joint and the joints are not exactly the same. my shop also told me that some could be rebuilt some could not. cant just simply press the end caps out because the center bearing aligns the 2 joints and holds them in place

 

Tomwoods..

http://www.4xshaft.com/

 

The center bearing is a remove-and-replace item. You pretty much mark, take the yoke out, clean the bearing, press a new yoke in (takes a little finesse to make sure it's in the proper orientation), and then replace the joints per usual. Note: The yoke typically has to be replaced after one u-joint in the DC is already in place, and they're usually spring loaded so holding them in place while getting the 2nd u-joint in can be a little annoying, but persistence will pay off.

The only thing that would get in the way of a rebuild would be if the bearing was shot.

Is it a little more work? Yes, but it's not any more complicated than pressing out u-joints.

That said, for most people, a shop is going to be the best option because motor vehicles run on magic for them.

 

if you say so i know what ive seen and delt with besides ur a second gen

 

Has anybody ever replaced the dc joint in the rear drive shaft. My boses son went to the local shop to have his changed and the owner of the shop said that no one in the area has a listing on new joints for that dc. they even called toyota to get some from them and they said that the dc joint is not rebuildable. just wondering if any body has done this u-joint rebuild and where they got there parts from.

 

ya thats what i've heard too in some other threads and im worried because they look like the grease had leaked out and stuff, i really dont want to deal with that, that's why i'm wondering if i can just get a solid drive shaft, someone already gave me a link that looks pretty legit im going to call them later and see what they tell me.... if i cant do anything then ill just have to take it apart and rebuild it if possible.... or just fined another one from somebody.

 

i found a guy thats selling the Double cardan and drive shaft for 35 bucks is that a fair price ????????

 

if it looks to be in good shape thats a great price. did u grease the double cardan?

 

the double cardan joint is non-serviceable/replaceable. You can't buy U-joints from toyota or aftermarket to replace the ones in the dc joint. I have seen write-ups in the past where someone replaced them by matching the specs/measurements of the u-joints and getting them elsewhere (diff vehicle) but it was a major pain in the ass. Or you can buy the whole rear shaft from toyota (big $$$).

I would rather pay someone to fab up a straight/single piece shaft so you don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

ya that's my worry imma buy it just for spare its in really good shape... better then mine that's for sure... but i do want to fab a straight solid one

 

If your lifted, youll have to worry about pinion angle on single piece driveshaft for an ext cab/dc. Remember that guys.

 

The centre of the cardan joint is spring loaded, thats what helps to smooth out the spinning of the driveshaft and while Toyota may want to sell you a new driveshaft a good shop should be able to rebuild it no problem. I don't think there is anyway you can go with a single piece shaft on the 4x4's as you need a slip joint someplace to allow for axle movement and over that length it could be problematic. I'm looking at modding a GM driveshaft from mid 70's pickup should the need arise, its 2 piece with the centre support bearing but beyond that there is just a slip joint down to the diff. My old 71 Chevy had had that setup and aside from grease I never touched it in the almost 30 years I had that truck.