Rear driveshaft angle

[Rustyhalfcab]

I have a C-6 tranny coupled to a NP208 t-case and 4 inch lift. My rear driveshaft is going to be approximately 28" long. Can someone tell me what an acceptable driveshaft angle would be for this combination?

 

[broncnaz]

check out the pinion angle tech article on the left side of the page it will explain it all to you better than I can. basically you want very little angle on the drive shaft but its impossible on a EB so you will have to adjust the pinion angle.

 

[Rustyhalfcab]

Is 28" to short for the rear driveshaft?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Is the 208 a fixed yoke and a CV or a slip yoke and a single U-joint? Big difference on how to set up the rear U-joint angle depending on what is going on at the transfer case.

Then there are maximum operating angles for the CV and the U-joints. Normal CV are limited to somewhere around 27~29° operating angle. U-joints have a small happy zone that they will live in.

My guess is that you have too much drivetrain and too much lift. You will probably need a custom high angle driveshaft to handle the angle you are trying to run. Also remember to find the maximum operating angle by jacking the frame and letting the axle droop fully. A Jeep friend tried to ignore this. Ran CVs at the limit sitting on level ground. When he worked the suspension it would overangle the CV for a moment, that would kill it.

 

[Rustyhalfcab]

My 208 is a fixed yoke and a double joint. I am also concerned if a 28 inch driveshaft is long enough to put in everything I need to.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The length doesn't really matter, it is the angles the U-joints will be running that matters. I know of applications that have a 3" driveshaft and work fine (friends jet boat). There are many jeep CJ5s running around with a lot less the 28" of driveshaft as well.

 

[Rustyhalfcab]

Thanks for the help. I will check the angles and forget about the length. If I need more help I know who to ask.

 

[drajj5]

I tried the c6/208 and ran into clearance issuses. The 208 is much too wide to fit in between frame rails. if you have already installed the tranny, I am curious to know how you did this? The setup I used came from a 80's model ford and I was forced to change t-case to 205. this works and does give sufficent distance for driveshaft angles.
drajj5

 

[Rustyhalfcab]

To put the 208 transfer case on my bronco I bought a clocking ring from 4x4machineshop, dd98370@hotmail.com off of Ebay. This adapter ring attaches to the transfer case and allows you to tilt the t-case down in order to fit between the frame rails. The cost was only $69.99 and it works perfectly. It saved a lot of work and time.