Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Rerun on November 15, 2010, 10:47:46 AM
-
... the high profile manufacturers out of the states such as Tom Woods, JE Reel, etc.?
I plan on putting a 3.5" Rock Krawler lift on my JK Rubicon and I will probably also eventually change out the front drive shaft for something a little stronger.
Just curious as to how our local suppliers do compared to the big boys.
-
Nobody has an opinion? Thats surprising.
-
They are as good as or better than the state side stuff. It all comes down to what parts they use... there is no black magic really.
-
I have a Tom Woods on my yj with a shorter and mildly used rugged ridge set aside for doubling my t-case (both cv of course)
I like the u-joints on the TW better - I scored mine cheap off ebay from a guy who went another direction so I picked it up for less than $200 - with shipping etc etc it was still cheaper than local but keep in mind if it was the wrong size, or improperly balanced or had any range of manufacturing flaws I would have been hooped whereas a local guy is just down the road. shipping and customs can screw you up too and ordering by application instead of actual measurements can create a headache as well. (which is the common sizing method for online purchasing) I am in the middle of a major resto - rebuild so potential delays were not much of a concern but I would assume when you make this mod you want to get it done and back on the road quickly.
For the few bucks you might save on-line, dealing locally could prevent you from a huge range of potential problems - I have dealt with both danco and Pats both professionally and personally and have always been very happy with both products and services from both outfits, also with both options you could spec whatever quality U joints or other parts you want - I'll be going local for the resplining I need to do for doubling. If your a gambler and welcome some risk to possibly save a few bucks try going on-line.
Here is a pic with a RR and the TW and you can clearly see the TW is clearly beefier in a number of areas - whether that actaully translates into more strength I couldn't say.
(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/pipestoneflyguy/IMGP0553.jpg)
-
I have a Tom Woods. Shipped to Sweetgrass for $299 US. Alot beefier than stock and cheaper than getting my old one cut and resplined here in Lethbridge. I did have to go to the US to pick it up for that price though.
-
I ordered one of the Coast shafts from the northridge site, It hasn't been under the jeep for a long time so no comments on durability, other then it appears to use factory spicer joints,.
What I liked was thats it was incredibly simple to order and will fit a range lift heights. all for 350 to your door
-
I have a Tom Woods shaft. Actually visited the shop to get it. Until then I didn't realize they only manufacture when you order. I was lucky that they had one that was a slight misfit but came within half an inch or so for my TJ. They measured my jeep, we chatted about it and they offered to build a shaft and ship it to me in Moab the following day if I wasn't happy with the one available.
I had a fantastic experience at their shop including a full tour and loaded down with swag - apparently they don't have many people actually walk in the door and ask for a driveshaft. The sales guy said something like never but I'm sure I couldn't have been the first.
The following year I had lifted my jeep taller and was concerned with the shaft. I met Tom at the Easter Jeep vendor show and he gave me his home number so that I could drop the shaft off to his house on the way back from Moab and he would take care of adjusting and shipping it to the border for me. In the end I decided the shaft was working fine and passed up on dropping it off, however, I will always remember the offer. Probably still have his home number somewhere in the trailer.
I have had driveshaft work done at Pat's and just didn't quite get the same feeling that they cared about me as a customer in the same way. People and relationships are key to success not the dollars you might initially save.
The Tom Woods shaft I got in 2008 has been used hard and put away wet and dirty. It performs when required.
My next shaft will be a Woodie - I'm sold on the people, relationship and the service.
-
front and rear DSI shafts for me. they have earned my business a few times over.
last year i took my front shaft in on the day of winter camping. I totally bummed i would have to wait a day or worse to leave town. they rebuilt it for me that morning and i was off camping as scheduled. can't ask for more than that.
-
I've had driveshafts made or rebuilt from Pats, DSI, and Tom Woods. It comes down to what you want done to them and the parts you want installed. The best results I've had for longevity was the addition of greasable fittings wherever possible and the use of quality marine grease to keep water contamination to a minimum. I'm a big fan of Spicer joints as well.
The customer service was the same with all these companies ,but Pat's went out of their way to rebuild my rear driveshaft for me last year during the winter holidays with only two guys working. The driveshaft was rebuilt and painted in 3 hours and it was cheaper than DSI using Spicer parts.
-
i use DSI.
But, from all reports i read on Pirate, Jesse at HAD (High Angle Driveline) has the shafts figured out. i would shop there first next time.
http://www.highangledriveline.com/ (http://www.highangledriveline.com/)
-
My understanding is that DSI (Drive Systems Inc) is no longer in business as they were bought out by DPI (Drive Products Inc).
All of you who are happy with the old DSI shafts, would you take your business to DPI now?
-
I have a Tom Woods drive shaft in the rear of my XJ.
Due to my own stupidity... I needed the CV ball assembly replaced... took it to Pat's... drove it for 2 months and got a HORRIBLE vibration/grinding that never went away.
I called Tom Woods... told them the story... shipped me a new drive shaft exactly to the specs of the one i had already ordered from them... and it only cost me about $100 more (shipping included) than what Pat's charged me to replace the CV ball assembly.
-=edit=- side note... i removed and installed the drive shaft myself.
Its only my personal experience... but there isnt a chance in hell i'll ever get work done at Pat's again.
I stand by the work that Tom Woods does and the components he usees... as long as you maintain them PROPERLY (unlike i did with my first one).
-
My understanding is that DSI (Drive Systems Inc) is no longer in business as they were bought out by DPI (Drive Products Inc).
All of you who are happy with the old DSI shafts, would you take your business to DPI now?
i did not know that and Cory who was very kind to 4x4 enthusiasts no longer works there, so i am undecided...
-
yes Cory headed up dsi until drive products bought them out. Cory is now doing drive-lines out of danco, which is close to the old dsi shop. Cory is a stand up guy who understands the 4x4 world. he actually had a truck in the top truck challenge. he is one of those guys that will tell you straight up what you need for what your use is. believe it or not, you don't always need the hi-zoot big dollar tom woods or other name brand. taking in a stock type shaft to have shortened for less then a hundred bucks is often a viable solution. both the shafts i run are old dsi shafts which are shortened stockers. i have NEVER had a drive shaft issue. i may have to spend a little more cash for the front shaft on my full size Cherokee, but i haven't talked with Cory yet. he always seemed to have an answer for me. he is by far my one and ONLY recommendation.
-
I had mine built at DSI a few years back. It looks like it's built really well. My only problem which was kinda different is that it spun true at 0 degrees on the machine but when I put it in the jeep it wobbled pretty good. A friend recommended I take it to Standens (because his wife worked there) to have it balanced in the jeep and it's been fine since. I'm sure DSI or Pat's could have fixed it too though.
-
My understanding is that DSI (Drive Systems Inc) is no longer in business as they were bought out by DPI (Drive Products Inc).
All of you who are happy with the old DSI shafts, would you take your business to DPI now?
yes. the change happened over a year ago and drive products is who i dealt with. sounds like all the local options are fine though, which is never a bad thing.
mhernden Dac. parts fail. tootc had his rebuilt 3 months ago at DSI and the ball failed. they rebuilt it for him last week under warranty. edit: Dac /edit balancing in the jeep sounds neat, thanks for the heads up on that.
-
yes. the change happened over a year ago and drive products is who i dealt with. sounds like all the local options are fine though, which is never a bad thing.
Dac. parts fail. tootc had his rebuilt 3 months ago at DSI and the ball failed. they rebuilt it for him last week under warranty. balancing in the jeep sounds neat, thanks for the heads up on that.
No Al, it didn't fail. It wobbled in the jeep the day I put it in. They double checked it in the balancer out of the jeep (it was good) and it still wobbled in the jeep. You could only see it was out when it was in the jeep running at angle. It was a little weird. Being such a short staft doesn't help, I was told the short ones are harder to true because there's not much drive shaft to work with.
-
sorry Dac that first part was meant for mhernden
then the rest was for you
-
sorry Dac that first part was meant for mhernden
then the rest was for you
gotcha, no worries