The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Drive shafts in-all 5 of them!

Finished installation of all drive lines in my '43 GMC CCKW. 10 new U-joints, rebuilt pillow block, 5 new Spicer slip joints, and 2 shortened drive shafts. It's a huge milestone in the build. I think I'll take a break for a day or two. Brakes are next! here and here

Congradulations on getting a big step accomplished. Makes me wish I still had a driveline shop as this is the kind of sale we always liked. Incidently you are doing a great job on this mechanical restoration from your photos but looks like the cab will also test your bodymans talents. Nice clean shop too. It's going to be a really nice truck.

Thank you Moneypit, I had some trouble with the P-330 U-joints from Napa, made in China. Two of them blew out the cap when I was pressing them in. Napa immediatally replaced them but I opted to pay $5.00 more for the Federal Mogul U.S.A. ones. I have 5 years body shop experiance and I'm actually looking forward to working the cab, It's irreplacable as it has the observation/ .50 cal mount in it. The rest of the sheetmetal is in great shape.

I've always had good luck with genuine Spicer U-joints and driveshaft components.
Otherwise I like NAPA for most parts but I go elsewhere for U-joints.

Hy 1936only, nice job! you have done a lot of work since the last time i saw it! take a break! but come back and finish it.

Thanks Grigg, who carries Spicer U-joints? Baldybenny, thanks for your almost daily E-mails, they get me energized to finish this 6x6. Don't forget to work on your '36 Brother!....Rick

Hy 1936only, great work keep it up, if you're going to take a break, could you come over and cleanup my shop?

Last I bought Spicer joints it was from an independent big truck parts place. Anopther option is most any/all driveshaft shops that are any good use and sell Spicer stuff. Just ask around, some local parts place will sell them, shouldn't be hard to find.

Looks like you've done a fine job with your shafts already, I sure wouldn't take them apart just to swap joints that aren't broken/worn yet.

Grigg

No Grigg I'll leave the others in, I just wanted to know for future refferance and or projects...... 3B, I'd love to come over and clean out all those nasty 30's and 40's dirt makers in your shop. Think about all the room you'd have to expand your show room. I would'nt even charge you!!!!.

Nice project! While I've been under an older cckw encrusted with dirt and grease to check out the drive line I haven't got that top view factory fresh perspective of your truck. The mechanics involved of two rear driving axles interests me.
My 506's a bit simpler with only two axles on the truck but being an auger version it does have four drive shafts and lucky for me the last owner kept all the u joints greased. I'm finding on other trucks I have that good non-chinese u joints are getting hard to find!

I look forward to seeing more pictures as your project progresses.

I had an independent driveline shop and was a Jobber for all brands at the time (70's) so it was not only Sp[icer but Mechanix, Detroit, Cleveland, Buyers, and several agricultural lines. It was a fun and profitable business but you wouldn't believe some of the home brewed crap we fixed.

Nice JOB!! You deserve a BREAK!! Just LOVE those CCKW's!! You're RIGHT about accomplishing a HUGE hurdle! Please keep us posted on your progress! THANKS FOR THE PIC'S!

Thank you, Sleeve, My '43 CCKW was encrusted in grease,grime, sludge, and many other things I could'nt reconize. I'm 2 years into the build and I took off POUNDS of dirt and crud. I don't have the option to blast the frame so it was all elbow work. It's probably the hardest part of any build. I started on the front bumper and worked back. A 4" wire wheel on a grinder is my tool of choice. Thank you all for the encouragement.....We all need it time to time..