The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 55 1st series driveshaft lenght?

so i have a 53 1/2 ton suburban that has a 56 235 but still has the torque tube.

im planing on swaping the third member from a 58 chevy 1/2 ton.

i will be using a muncie m318 for now till i get my 319 working.

so...question 1. will my drive shaft be the same lenght as a 55 1st series?

and question 2, if so whats the lenght of that drive shaft? or about what lenght should i find. im trying to get every thing together before hand so its not down for too long, shes my daily driver.

Recap: your are changing a torque-tube rear-end (and driveshaft/torque-tube) to an open driveshaft rear-end?

If that is correct, you are most likely making some sort of change in the spring mount, and the resultant measurements will be somewhat unique to your truck (you cannot count on this being the same length as in a 55-1st truck, unless you use a 55-1st rear-end housing)?

This is out of my small realm of experience, but, I would put the transmission and rear-end in place; then, put the u-joint assemblies in place; and then, measure the length of dive-shaft that would be needed to connect the two?

I expect appropriately rude comments about my analysis. Listen to others and ignore me.

I agree with Tim. Get everything in place then take a measurement. You could very well be able to use the standard driveshaft from a 55-2 through 59 1/2 ton (short bed) providing the wheel base is the same.
Fred

so im planning on leaving the rearend with the torque tube right where it is, swap the third member and weld the pivot points on the leaf's. Will i need to relocate the axel at all or gan i just weld it right where it is? Thanks again guys