Driveshaft failed...Please Help!

Yes remove the entire driveshaft flange to flange

 

@muddog321 Thank you so much. I think my first move, yeah, is taking it to one of those driveline shops and talking it all over with them.

I am pretty concerned about that Transfer Case electrical connector. How easy is that to replace? Does anyone have a part number?
It also scarred or cracked open the black part of that piece of the Transfer Case. Does anyone know what that is and is it easy to replace?

Yeah, if I go with a new driveshaft (which will likely be the case), I was going to shop around. I already read a bunch of thread on the Tom Woods one piece. Seems like a good idea.
I will absolutely get the rear diff checked out, good idea, thank you.

Yeahhhh, so that's the other thing, since I am the 3rd owner, I am having a horrible time trying to figure out what all the previous person did to this truck modification wise. Anyone know of a way to check and figure that stuff out? To tell if it's been lifted beyond stock?

 

@b_r_o Thank you! Anybody have any advice. Is this relatively simple to do? I see it's only a handful of bolts. Any advice on removal appreciated.

 

And yeah I know, kill me.

 

@rnish Thank you, I will look into that.

 

Lefty loosey bro, just need some hand tools. Don't forget to chock the wheels before you crawl underneath

 

@Cryptictoy Oh wow thanks, I'll give them a call. The stock on their website looks pretty legit.
I am considering swapping it myself. Any advice in this arena. I'm mostly worried about getting it all lined up properly as I've read on some threads that is an issue/struggle.
Yeah looks like most all parts of the driveshaft are dried out, should probably get a new one.

 

@MSgt O Yep, absolutely, definitely learned that lesson today. You are right about the neglect, my anxiety just got the better of me. Put it out of sight, out of mind and trudged along to work.

Ok, yeah this is what is troubling. I don't know if it even is on a lift, or what modifications were done. If anyone has any advice on how to look and figure that out, please help.
And yeah, I'm thinking about the junkyard route as well. Definitely going to shop around. Thank you so much.

 

@2ndhandTacoman Thank you so much. I really appreciate the diagnosis. I know I screwed up, but this makes me feel a little better, because I at least understand this, and it doesn't sound too catastrophic. It's just neglect on my end, which is horrendous yes, but at leas the truck isn't failing (I've had horrible luck with lemons in the past).

Yep that u-joint is rusted to hell, definitely no grease. So yeah the rest are probably the same, so probably a new one it is.

And yes, the electrical components of the transfer case are concerning me as well. Can I fix that? What all do you think needs to be replaced there, if you had to guess?
Thank you so much for this help.

 

We all had to start someplace, what you need now are some basic tools, socket set, wrench set, good screwdrivers, some pliers of some sort, and a grease gun, just to start. Then some jacks and jack stands, we'll have you changing your oil in no time.
To me your truck looks lifted, maybe 2.5 inches or so, and running maybe 285 75 16 tires???

 

@Naveronski Thank you. Yeah that seems to be the consensus, either one of those ways.
I think I am leaning towards a full replacement. $800 seems a little steep compared to some other places I was looking at though. But I can call that shop, thank you for mentioning them.

Yeah, if I have to do that, I won't drive around much. And definitely not to work. Thank you.

 

The 2nd gen maintenance thread can be found here.

The pic of your transfer case actuator shows the vent line is cracked and splayed out a bit. You can likely fix it the same way I did.

If your actuator is still working properly and it's just the plastic that was damaged on the connector, some self-fusing silicone tape will probably hold you for quite a while until you can afford to get it replaced. The wires may be sealed at the connector (likely) so it could end up being a splice is needed back up in the wire loom.

Glad the damage wasn't any worse than it ended up being.

 

@Gearheadesw Thank you so much, haha, I really appreciate that. I'm willing to dive in.
I actually do have some tools, I used to work on my old Subaru that I had for 7 years. But the hardest thing I ever did was changes the brakes, so yes, I'm still a beginner. I think this time around, I just got anxious and life was beating me down so I ignored the issue.
Anyways though, I still have a ton to figure out. I don't have a jack or jack stands, or a grease gun. And I've actually never changed my own oil either though, which is dumb.

Oh my gosh thanks for that guess at my lift! I mean, I really don't know, but that could be dead on. I appreciate it, that helps. I'm really looking to get that figured out.
And yeah, those are exactly the size tires the previous owner put on: LT285/75R16. I was looking to go back to stock or thereabouts, but I thought I'd get some life out of these since I paid for them. I enjoy an aggressive look to a degree, but these tires are too wide for my taste. Plus I think those wheels have a dropout maybe??? (if I even know what I'm talking about), and that isn't for me either.

Do we think the lift may have put strain on the u-joints at all?

 

There's a ton of people on here that are willing to help, just post a question. There's a ton of people that will just talk crap, you will know the difference.
I don't think the lift caused anything in the driveshaft department, lack of lubrication seems the culprit. The first thing is to get some parts to throw at this, new or used. Driveshaft, u joints, maybe a carrier bearing, and see if the transfer case works, goes into and out of 4 wheel drive, you will have to get some kind of cover on it to keep it clean.

 

@Leomania Thank you so much for that link, I am on it.
Yeah, Thank for the link to your post. I'm getting a little lost on the transfer case biz, I just don't know enough, but I'm sort of following you. I just need to read a lot more. So any help there is appreciated. Maybe I should start a new thread just for that...
So which part is which? In this image 2 things look cracked, the connector, and then that black housing looking piece:

The actuator is that entire black piece right? Like the transfer case is the entire part, but we are just looking at the actuator?
What exactly is the vent line? Can I just replace that black piece of housing (#2 in image)?
And you are saying get a new connector, cut off this old one, and then splice them together, correct? Or something like that..
Anyways, I'm still trying to decipher that post you linked, may be over my head...

Thank you so much. Yeah I am very lucky, I appreciate what you said.

 

@Gearheadesw Haha thank you.
Ok good, phew, that makes me a bit more relaxed, that it was just lack of lubrication, so I'm the culprit.
Yep going to get a driveshaft this coming week for sure, thank you.
And yeah I need to test the transfer case, thanks for that. I'm trying to figure out how to keep it covered, and/OR what are the parts I need just to replace what cracked?

 

Ok so a couple more things.
Currently car was towed to a mechanic shop I like. But now I think I want to take it to a drivetrain shop. I was going to drive it in 4wd over to the drivetrain shop, but I gotta get the rear driveshaft off first. So I'm like, should I just crawl under there while its in the parking lot of the shop, or just ask them to do it? I'm not sure..
Then I want to shop around for a new Driveshaft I suppose. Or at least see what the drivetrain place thinks. But this is most like what I'll do.
I'm going to look into all my options, so any further suggestions in that department are welcome.

What do we think about getting a new driveshaft with a double cardan joint after the carrier bearing? Like the top driveshaft in this image (I found this on this forum, but I can't remember where for the life of me, I'm sorry):

Is that overkill, or even necessary?

Anyways, I'll keep reading and make a decision, just thought I'd ask as much as I can, sorry.

 

As always, it depends, how are you using the truck? Grocery getter? Just rebuild to stock.

 

How old are you?

 

Ah yeah that's a very good question of course. My partner and I are artists and builders, making a lot of sculptures that we have to move, so that was my main reason for getting the truck. (Plus I grew up with my dads Tacoma, and always wanted one). But right now it's my only car, so it's my daily driver to my job 36 miles away. But then on top of that I occasionally go off-roading and camp on BLM land, so light duty off-roading.
I'd like to build it out to be a little beefier eventually, to go backcountry camping more often (which is why I tried to find a 4wd TRD Off-Road), with at least an attached tent (and get a different commuter car). So, I'm like the driveshaft is busted now...so should I aim for the future, or just go stock for how I'm using it right now. Tough call I suppose.
I guess really it's just what I can afford at this point....Just thinking about the pros and cons..