The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Astro van drive shaft for T5 install?

I'm gathering everything I need for a T5 swap in my '53 1/2 ton. I plan to use a '59 3.90 center section. I've read in the tech tips that a drive shaft from a 90s Astro van will work for this swap.

(1) Is this with the rear end in it's original location?

I haven't decided if I'm going to leave mine where its at or move it back to center the wheels in the fenders. If I decide to relocate the rear end,

(2) what drive shaft comes closest to fitting?

I'll be doing this in a friends garage and this is my daily driver so the smoother this goes the better. I need to have everything ready before I start because I don't have the luxury of spending a couple days scouting for a drive dhaft with my truck on jack stands.

I wouldn't worry with trying to find a drive shaft that will fit perfectly because it will be tough to find one the correct length. I would find one that is long enough and have it cut to the exact length and have them balance it while they are at it. There should be a drive shaft or machine shop close to you that can do that for you.

(1) I would like to know if others have found the Astro van drive shaft to be a perfect fit.
(2) In the event that I center the wheels in the fenders I do not expect to find a drive shaft of a perfect fit, but I would like to know what other people are using. Then I can have that shaft on hand to have it shortened.

I would agree with the advise that 6 cylinderovertexas is giving you.
http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/app/webroot/img/File/how_to_measure_diagrams/b.html

This is exactly what I did in my 51 Chevy shortbox build. In my case once the rear differential and transmission were in place I measured the exact distance using the above link as a guide. After very careful measurements, the 93 Astro shaft was taken to the machine shop cut,balanced and welded back together. Once I got it back everything fit very well.I've been running it for about 2 years now with 0 problems works very well. Hope this will help you out.

I used a 77 olds cutlass driveshaft for my 46 1/2 ton when switched to a t-5 i did have to get it shortened 6 inches tho, Im pretty sure any midsize gm driveshaft will work, just a matter of cutting to fit

Here's an update on my use of an Astro van drive shaft when replacing the three speed with a T5 5 speed and the torque tube center cection with a '55-'62 center cection.

It works.

I moved my rear end back 1.5"

I used a 'swap adapter' from Hamilton intakes which moved the 5 speed back about 3/4"

The Astro van yoke was actually 1.5"-2" longer than the S10 yoke making the Astro shaft too long. I swaped the Astro yoke for the S10 yoke and the thing fit perfectly.

This worked for me. I make no guarantees. I hope this helps someone else.

THANK YOU for the update!
All too often folks forget to tell others how things worked out.

This is timely for me since I will be bolting up my T5 this weekend. I might need to go grab an S10 yoke or at least compare the S10 yoke length to my Camaro yoke length.