Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Kanueh on June 24, 2012, 07:21:51 PM

Title: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on June 24, 2012, 07:21:51 PM
Discovered this weekend that the articles I read were right, when you lift an automatic JK you need to install a smaller diameter front drive shaft so it doesn't hit the Trans pan under flex! I learn the hard way obviously.

Does anyone know where I can get a good strong aftermarket drive shaft and u-joints this week? I was going to order one but I'm off work this week and I'd like to get one installed before I go out again and end up causing damage the pan or the Trans case.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: hornblower on June 24, 2012, 10:17:52 PM
I thought this didn't need to be replaced for the auto under a 4" lift.

How much lift did you go for?
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on June 24, 2012, 10:27:08 PM
3inch BDS. It definitely hit the pan. The edge of the pan is dented nice and shinny from the hit and the boot is torn off. It wasn't a hard hit but I don't want to wait until it hits hard and causes a Trans leak on the trail. For the manual I think it's ok but the auto hits.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: WhiteOut on June 24, 2012, 11:31:03 PM
Pats Driveline.

Drop the Jeep off and then pick it up and you'll have the perfect shaft. Mine took about a day.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on June 25, 2012, 05:33:01 AM
What did it cost you?
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: BUKI on June 25, 2012, 07:12:14 AM
X2 on pats. Great guys. They were very busy when I was there but they were still very polite. Mine cost about 250 installed
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: w squared on June 25, 2012, 07:14:07 AM
What did it cost you?

Less than your combined towing/repair bill when the CV on the stock shaft grenades because there's no longer any grease on it. Lovely engineering, isn't it....as soon as the rubber tears, you need to replace the entire part!  ;)
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: BUKI on June 25, 2012, 07:29:22 AM
Less than your combined towing/repair bill when the CV on the stock shaft grenades because there's no longer any grease on it. Lovely engineering, isn't it....as soon as the rubber tears, you need to replace the entire part!  ;)

They don't make boot kits for the jks?  Thats idiotic. Damn minivans :D
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on June 25, 2012, 08:07:36 AM
W Squared - Hence the reason for the post. Just wondering his vs Coast or Other aftermarket.  

Buki - They might but the shaft is just too big with the lift and it will hit again and tear the boot or worse damage the pan or Trans housing.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: WhiteOut on June 25, 2012, 08:28:25 AM
My cost was about $220, which will be different from yours since they had a core to start with when I had it done. The benefit is that I have a driveshaft that is perfect length for compressed, fully extended and everything in between. As well as enough room to moove up another 1" in height.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on June 25, 2012, 08:44:18 AM
Thanks Whiteout, I just called them and for what I'm looking for he said about $600.00.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Skippy on June 30, 2012, 09:58:11 PM
Pats is great. Good quality work, and I believe they warranty their work as well.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on June 30, 2012, 11:05:36 PM
I ended up going to Commercial Truck Equipment. They do mostly heavy trucks but as soon as I mentioned what I wanted, Corey the driveline manager knew exactly what parts to order and that it had to be smaller diameter than the stock one so I'm pretty comfortable with my decision. I pick it up on Wednesday so I'm a 4x2 right now.

Hey Skippy did you get your bumper on yet?
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: tubby on July 01, 2012, 02:20:34 AM
I ended up going to Commercial Truck Equipment. They do mostly heavy trucks but as soon as I mentioned what I wanted, Corey the driveline manager knew exactly what parts to order and that it had to be smaller diameter than the stock one so I'm pretty comfortable with my decision.

Corey Dean of Danco/Commercial is driveshaft pro! He's done a few of my custom driveshafts over the years and I've always been pleased.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Skippy on July 01, 2012, 08:35:42 AM
You bet I did, lift, winch, and swaybar disconnects are all in. Now its time to go wheelin
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Kanueh on July 01, 2012, 08:53:33 AM
Cool. Once I get my driveshaft in I'll give you a ring.
Title: Re: JKU Aftermarket front drive shaft
Post by: Skippy on July 01, 2012, 09:15:17 AM
Sound like a plan to me