Drive shafts.

[BruceG]

Can anyone give me some insight on this issue? I'm rebuilding a 3A and I found front and rear axles out of a 3B which I assume should be fine. I rebuilt both of them and put in lockright lockers in both. I bought new springs fom superlift 2.5 inch lift. when I attempted to connect the drive shafts they are about a 1/2 inch short and the front shaft contacts the skid plate and won't allow it to be connected unless I trim the skid plate. keep in mind the jeep is on blocks and the springs are just hanging there with no load on them and I could probably connect them if I put the jeep weight on them. I thought about extending the drive shafts but the shop wants ~ 300 bucks for each shaft. Also the tie rods are extended almost all the way out to get the toe in close. What should I do to get it right? I have a hard time believing 2.5 inch causes all these issues.

[bretto]

Well, 2.5" plus the fact that the springs are unloaded and holding the hanging the weight of the axles, that is pushing them even further away from their original position.  Its sounds certainly possible.  You have to lower it to the ground and see where it sits.  Even if you were to get you driveshaft extended, you have to do this to get a proper measurement.

[oldtime]

3B axle fitment will be identical to your original 3A axles, so no change there.
Yes the 2.5 lift is increasing the required propeller shaft length.
The propeller shaft splines must be able to slip from minimum required length to maximum required length.
Minimum required length is achieved with springs under full compression. (fully loaded GVWR upon a single axle)
Maximum required length is achieved with springs at full droop. (hanging axle)
Otherwise pinion shaft, transfer case output or propeller shaft damage may occur.

If you have Ross steering you should seriously consider installing a bellcrank to tie rod "drop adapter".

[athawk11]

I agree with the others.  There is not a lot of wiggle room on these shafts.  The original designers of the early 1940s wouldn�t have perceived future modifications like lift kits and large tires.  They were designed to fight wars and plow fields with weight and cost restrictions as major parameters. 

[BruceG]

Thankyou all for your time! it looks like I need to extend them or does anyone know if maybe a cj5 shaft is longer and I could just swap drive shafts?

[oldtime]

The CJ-5 front propeller shaft is certainly longer but I'm not sure if it could be correct length or not.
You certainly don't want the CJ-5/6 front propeller shaft from any CJ-5 having the Dauntless 225 engine.
Those particular shafts used small trunion joints.

Some rear CJ-5 shafts may or may not be of correct length.
Rear shaft length is dependent upon engine and the which transmission is installed.
For the rear propeller shaft you certainly do not want one from the F-134 powered CJ-5.
I have one of the 3 various rear Dauntless CJ-5 propeller shafts.
I'll take a look at it later on and see if it might be the correct length.

[BruceG]

Thanks. I found a website Tom Woods custom driveshafts which will manufacture any drive shaft to whatever spec cheaper than extending the originals. Thanks again all who have responded!!!!

[oldtime]

Stock propeller shaft is 17-1/4" when fully compressed and 19-3/4" when fully extended.

Looks like the propeller shaft from a Dauntless CJ-5 with T86AA transmssion might work.
It is 18-1/4 when fully compressed and 21-1/4" when fully extended.