The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop T5 Tail shaft

My T5 didn't come with a tail shaft. Do I need to search and find one from another T5, or can I use one from something else? Say maybe an Astro van or ????

Those of you that have completeded you T5 swap. What length did your drive shaft end up. This is going a 46 so I don't know if the ADs are longer or not but I need to get an idea of what length to look for. I know some of you used an Astro van shaft but what else might work.

Also what kind of U-joints did you use. Should I get ones from a 55 (the year of my new rear end)or, for what ever the drive shaft is, or a combination.

As you can probably tell, I'm having to learn everything as I go along. Not having worked on a open drive line before, everything is new to me.

Thanks
George

Hey George -
So can we assume that you have the shifter and it is located in the top of the tranny body itself. If so, tail shafts from several vehicles will work since it just bolts on. The only thing I would be sure of is to get a tail shaft with a standard mechanical speedometer hook up, again, assuming you are using your stock speedometer or a mechanical speedometer. If you had or have an ID tag on your transmission and know what your transmission came out of, that might be a good choice for a tail shaft, probably the best choice, be it an S-10 Blazer or an S-10 pickup or an Astro Van. The ID tag will tell you what it came out of.
Most likely you will have to have your driveshaft made up to fit your truck after you get the tailshaft on your transmission. You might look around and find a driveshaft that will work, but I would get one that is close to the length you need and have it altered to fit. The 55 drive shaft might be a good choice if you can find one because it will match up with the rear end you have. You will also need the front yoke for the transmission. If you can't find one in the wrecking yard, a new one from some place like Standard Transmission in Fort Worth is about $60.00 - $65.00 dollars. You will need to tell them when you get your driveshaft made that the rear end is from a 55 truck or car, which ever it is. They can make up a drive shaft that will fit your truck correctly and they might even have a front yoke for the transmission - front end of the drive shaft. That's the way I handled it. A good driveshaft shop can handle the driveshaft for you. Most driveshaft shops around here also do the front wheel drive cars CV joints, etc. so look for one of those places. I'm sure there are some in Riverside.
If you need more help, let me know or post here. Good luck!

Joe

Thanks Joe, You answered my question. I guess I got the wrong part name. What I am missing is what you are calling the front yoke. The part that slides into the trans and connects to the drive shaft. My trans is from a 86 S10 so it's got the mechanical spedo hook up.

It sounds like my local driveshaft shop can fix me up with everything I need.

I'm still waiting on my adaptor plate and I need to get a drive shaft at the junk yard. I've got most of the rest of the parts I need. Hopefully I'll be making the swap soon.

I am sure I'll have more questions when I get into it.

Thanks
George

Practicaly all driveshaft yokes from the late 60,s up with fit except one from a th400. After you get the trans. in put the yoke in the the running position & measure from the center of the u-joint to the center where the u-joint will be in the rear end flange. Take that measurment to the drive shaft shop & your old shaft & he will make one up.