Measuring for driveshafts now gonna bite me later?

[Got4wd]

Body is coming in a month. I would like to get the driveshafts ordered and in. Am I going to regret doing it now or will I be good.

 

[Yeller]

Depends on your drivetrain and lift. For instance, If it is a known combination like a V8, C4, Dana 20 with a 2-1/2” lift, those are known and probably in stock at Wild Horses. If it is all custom, wait until much more complete.

 

[Got4wd]

It’s not. Coyote,6r80,to bw4402. Tried to have tom woods help me out since there is a builder that has the same combo as I do. And I’m sure there is more, but he said it’s confidential. I just wanted measurements of what they used so I can know if I’m close etc. he’s all have some people sit on the back and measure. Or how about you just let me know the length of what they did and I can go from there so you can build them.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Even things like setting pinion angle change the driveshaft length.
Getting a full droop length right now should be pretty easy. Getting the compressed length, how much really heavy stuff do you have laying around to compress the springs?
Front is pretty easy, leave the coils off and cycle and measure.

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

Saying driveshaft measurements/setup is confidential is wild. The way I look at it the market for these niche setups isn’t big enough to be worth keeping secrets.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Saying driveshaft measurements/setup is confidential is wild. The way I look at it the market for these niche setups isn’t big enough to be worth keeping secrets.

Manufacturing contracts can have weird requirements. The shop that designed the shaft and gave the specs for it to be built spent time (money) in figuring that out. Even though it is a simple number, the work they did may not have been simple. There may have been a lot of time and CAD software to come up with what the need. Selling that part at a markup to cover the development time (costs) is how they stay in business. As a hobbiest it is common to just give that information away. As a business, you sell that information in order to exist.

Makes perfect sense to me. Hence, you have to do your own work to get your own numbers.

 

[Got4wd]

Manufacturing contracts can have weird requirements. The shop that designed the shaft and gave the specs for it to be built spent time (money) in figuring that out. Even though it is a simple number, the work they did may not have been simple. There may have been a lot of time and CAD software to come up with what the need. Selling that part at a markup to cover the development time (costs) is how they stay in business. As a hobbiest it is common to just give that information away. As a business, you sell that information in order to exist.

Makes perfect sense to me. Hence, you have to do your own work to get your own numbers.

I can guarantee there is no mfg contract on a driveshaft. We aren’t reinventing the wheel. Parts that are only used on high end builds like Icon, I get it. Lots of custom parts. A tom woods shaft isn’t one of them. Yes I want to order shafts and get them on. Will I go back to woods for it. I doubt it because I wasn’t helped. I wasn’t asking for a break down of parts. I was just asking for length to see where I was sitting.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I can guarantee there is no mfg contract on a driveshaft. We aren’t reinventing the wheel. Parts that are only used on high end builds like Icon, I get it. Lots of custom parts. A tom woods shaft isn’t one of them. Yes I want to order shafts and get them on. Will I go back to woods for it. I doubt it because I wasn’t helped. I wasn’t asking for a break down of parts. I was just asking for length to see where I was sitting.

And I can guarantee you don't work with manufacturers and suppliers and deal with those types of contracts. This stuff really does exist. Maybe not in your world, but it does exist in the real world. The most basic is an NDA, and they get tighter once money starts getting paid.

 

[fishinman78]

It’s not. Coyote,6r80,to bw4402. Tried to have tom woods help me out since there is a builder that has the same combo as I do. And I’m sure there is more, but he said it’s confidential. I just wanted measurements of what they used so I can know if I’m close etc. he’s all have some people sit on the back and measure. Or how about you just let me know the length of what they did and I can go from there so you can build them.

Did you try Emily with Kincer?

I always like to wait until I have the body on and roll bar in it at least. Tom Woods ships the next day after you give them dimensions. I have always thought that was pretty good service.

Do you know who else you would use? Only curious because I have never used anyone other than Tom Woods and would be interested in other vendors.

 

[Got4wd]

I just called her actually. They sent me to Knoxville driveline. I know of a lot of places that build in California so I will try them. Don’t get me wrong. I would be spending my money with woods if they would at least help me out.

 

[Got4wd]

And I can guarantee you don't work with manufacturers and suppliers and deal with those types of contracts. This stuff really does exist. Maybe not in your world, but it does exist in the real world. The most basic is an NDA, and they get tighter once money starts getting paid.

Actually I have before. This isn’t about something that is one off or asking about what was used. I simply asked about length so I could see if that would work. I’ve built many vehicles so I know what would work and wouldn’t.

 

[Dude 713]

There is no doubt in my mind that you know what will work and what won't. So my question is what is the purpose of this thread? You know what will work so call and order it.

 

[nvrstuk]

I'm a bit perplexed also. There is so much "legaleeze" in our country now... I know an outfit that wouldn't build a radiator to the same specs as another custom Bronco until they had the first owner call and say it was OK to make another in the same dimensions... I KID YOU NOT AS I KNOW BOTH OWNERS... serious...

So take this insult or whatever you might title it from Tom Woods and just order what you figure you need OR do the right thing and WAIT until the weight is setting on it. Tom Woods can make a DS and send it to me in 4 days and I"m 1,000 miles away. You can order one in CA and get it in 2 days. I'm sure there are many days or weeks worth of work to be down on your project after you get 90% of the weight on it so you will know exactly what measurements to give them AND you will have it weeks of them being installed before you will be able to drive it is my guess.

Just another perspective here is all. Not wanting to tick anybody off...

 

[Jedeka]

I agree with nvrstuk. Be patient and take measurements after you get everything together and sitting at completed weight. If you think you are upset now, how are you going to feel if Tom Woods would tell you measurements and you bought a set of driveshafts, then when you go to install them 6 months to a year later and they don’t fit? You will have to send them back, want to be at the top of the list to get them corrected, sent back the next day or you will run their name thru the mud. A lot of us get excited to get parts ordered, so we have them when you are ready for install, but ordering my driveshafts are no even on my radar yet.