The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Driveshaft - T5 swap into AD 1/2 ton truck

Does anyone happen to recall or have archived, what length driveshaft they ended up using? Center of u joint to center of U joint….stock engine mounting location with an S10 T5.

I know there are some variables here. What type of rear end, how it’s positioned in the rear wheel wheel, etc. Will require some precise measuring at some point.

Just trying to get a ballpark idea what length of shaft I’d be looking for.

I ordered the slip yoke for the rear of the transmission. Put it in and bottomed it out, measured from center u-joint to center. Took that measurement and the slip yoke to the driveshaft shop and told them what I had and what I needed. They took the measurements and made a drive shaft. I think there was about an 1 1/2" slip on the front yoke when installed. It cost me a little over $100 at that time and it sure beat trying to find something that would fit.

I just had a shaft built for my 36 gmc, it cost $275 plus $35 to ship it to my house. Was cheaper than driving for 2 hours in my Duramax to go pick it up. ( these are California prices)

Wow that’s awesome. The only driveshaft shop anywhere close to here, is still 100+ miles away. I can’t remember exactly what they estimated to build one….but I think it was $300-$400.

I’m currently using a factory Chevy Blazer drive shaft. Year is in the pictures. Not all Blazers use this DS, so measure before you buy or match the sticker numbers.
Using it with an S10 T5 in my 63 and 65 short wheel base (115”) trucks. Length is perfect. Slip yoke has a balancer and fits correctly. Rear u-joint was exchanged for a conversion u-joint so it would bolt up to my 12 bolt rear axle.

Good to know. Your wheelbase is really close to that of a stock AD truck. My current axle position probably has my WB a couple inches shorter. But I’d like to move it back a bit, anyway.

I have a drive shaft that was in my 56 short wheelbase pickup with a T-5 trans. It was the original drive shaft shortened to fit. I don't have the slip yoke though. You can have it if you pick it up. I am in the K.C. area.

I am NOT in the KC area, but I know a bunch of folks who are. Let me ask around but I’d probably take you up on that, George.

JW51, 2-Ton (Don King) will be in KC next week. He's going to Mongo's on Friday the 12th.

Just make certain to leave room for movement at the transmission no matter which direction you take. I think I have 1.25" of wiggle room. The yoke is long enough that you'll be fine in this case. Also if the yoke is used, polish it well with 320 grit wet/dry or you could chew up the rear seal in your T5. Good luck. I had one made. Was about $300 including shipping but it was balanced (including a new yoke and u-joints).

I had that thought, but I’m pretty sure George is over on the Kansas side and a fair distance from Mongo’s.

I’ve got future brother in law who’s in KC quite a bit. Need to check in with him.

Nathan, If George can't transport the driveshaft himself, I can figure out how to get it and take it with me to our upcoming meeting at Steve's (Mongo's) so Don could help it come your way. I am only about 30 minutes from George's and the same from Steve's. The 3 of us actually had lunch together today.

Nathan
I’ll be happy to get it halfway to your house. Then Vicki and I will be passing thru Cape, the end of May, on our way to the Southern Jamboree.
If you can wait that long?

Don

When are yall meeting in April?

Friday the 12th beginning at 10:30 at Mongo's shop.

Nathan, I am actually meeting George at a local car & truck show today. I can make arrangements to get the driveshaft from him and bring with me to the meeting next Friday. Then Don could start bringing it your way. Yes/No/Maybe so???

That would be awesome! Thanks!

My oldest is going to Linn Tech this fall. We have to go up there at least one more time this spring. Was thinking that’s close to Don, and it is, but that pesky river makes it a long drive.

Nathan, It's on my "To Do" list for you! Will report back when I have it and the MBA Pony Express gets into action.

We may need to move this over to the Hauling Board for proper transport activity!

Papa Joe came to my shop. His T5 had a Camaro tail housing and the shifter box was under his seat. YIKES!
We swapped out the tail housing and shift rail. He now has an S10 cable speedo tail housing and the shifter comes through the floor in front of the bench seat like it should.
Here’s the video. VIDEO LINK
Working T5 with cable speedo. Life is good.

Great job Jay. You da man on T5. Papa Joe won't be able to get that smile off for a month. Looking forward to seeing y'all in Townsend.

Moving this rabbit trail to the hauling board is totally fine. Probably the right thing to do.

By the way, no one needs to make any kind of special trip to make this transfer happen. It isn’t any kind of urgent. I have plenty of family in and around this KC are I can lean on, if need be.

And if George just needs the driveshaft out of his way sooner than later, I can find one somewhere else.

No big deal either way, but I’m always impressed with how this forum rallies around causes like this.

Nathan, I'm meeting George at his storage unit tomorrow morning before we do our weekly lunch get together. Will collect the driveshaft and hand off to Don when we meet at Mongo's on Friday. All good and nothing we wouldn't be doing for any Bolter that can use a touch of help. Once I have it collected for sure, I will come back and move this thread over to the Hauling Board.

I just had a drive shaft built for my '49 3600 AD in California for $525. I supplied the slip yoke and the measurements, and they did the rest. They installed new u-joints and the drive shaft fits great. I will hopefully get it on the road this month to check out the newly rebuilt T-5 and the drive shaft. Can't wait to do 45mph without the engine screaming at me.

The Midwest Pony Express has been activated and put into action. PM were sent to the main players.


Don

Nathan and all, Just a quick update (with proof ) that I've got the driveshaft from George and it is packaged and ready for loading to hand off to Don tomorrow morning at Mongo's for the next leg of the MBA Pony Express trip to you. Oh yeah, I found an extra slip joint which I test fit on my as yet uninstalled T5 to make sure it fit and have it packed in the box with the item for your son's project to come with the driveshaft.

Will be up to Don to post further status updates to the shipment. Perhaps we should move the whole thread over to the MBA Forum to keep track and help it complete the journey???

Thanks so much George, Dan, and Don!

The hand off to Don (2-Ton) happened at KCMongo's shop where we met up yesterday for the initial 2024 MBA Roundup Executive Committee meeting. They've started on the next leg of the trip to you Nathan. You and Don will have to take the transfer and pick-up form here! Keep us posted on the MBA Pony Express delivery progress please!

Y’all are the best!