OK. When you build one of these super flexy trucks, they require a driveshaft that can handle the massive angles put upon them. The stock shafts won't work even if you lengthen them so what do you do? You can call up Jesse at Highangle Driveline or JE Reel driveline and have them build one for you. They both do excellent work. Or you can build your own. I did both.
Some of the information and pictures you'll see here are from an article I found in 4x4 wire.
http://www.4x4wire.com/index.php?opt...tech&Itemid=53
It showed me exactly what I needed to do to build my own flexy driveshaft.
The other reason for going with this set up is because the joints in the Toyota driveshafts are some of the strongest around and the flange setup makes it just that much stronger with great range than say a Dana 60 1350 joint and yoke.
Jesse at Highangle driveline supplied me with a set of Flanges that bolt up to my Dana 60's but will also bolt up to my new Highangle Toyota driveshafts.
Also, when you lift one of these newer Taco's, many have found that you get vibration from the rear shaft. Solution... a one peice driveshaft. Here are the two driveshafts that Highangle made for me and Marlin Crawler modified. (they were too short when they got them from highangle).
So, what do you need to build one of these yourself? We found that the '84 '85 Toyota ifs 4runner or ifs trucks front drive shaft was perfect for this build. They are cheap from the junk yard and they use the stronger driveline bolts. the only problem with these is the cv or double cardan joint will only supply about 22 degrees of angle in it's stock form. Solution.... clearence the joint.
Following is how we clearenced the cv by using the information found in the 4x4 wire article.
We found a driveshaft from an '85 ifs 4runner cut off the cv and went to town with our new found information.
Next are the pictures from the article in 4x4 wire.
http://www.4x4wire.com/index.php?opt...tech&Itemid=53
First you need to pound out the caps.
Then you need to remove the needle bearings.
Next, get some small washers to use as spacers so you can get the other cap off.
Pound off the other cap.
Remove the cap and keep your washers. Your going to need them for the other end of the joint.
Now your flange protion is apart. It's hard to see in all the grease, but there is a small sprng in there and if you loose it you'll be at the junk yard looking for another driveshaft. Keep it safe.
Pound out the remaining cap.
Repeat the process on the other end of the joint. remembe, this is a DOUBLE cardan joint.
Now your joint is apart.
This is what your cv looks like when it's all apart.
Removing the cross from the yoke. These crosses or ujoints, have little crings or clips that you have to take off first before you can remove the cap. They are on the inside of the joint. Ijust used a screw driver and a hammer to get them out. I would suggest using toyota joint if you can find them when you put these together if the ones you took out are worn or no good. Problem is, they are hard to find. Toyota does not sell them seperatly and when you go to find them at a parts store, they will have different ones in the same box. I have gotten four of the same boxes from napa and inside the boxes were four different ujoints with the same part number.
Now it's time to get rid of the dust shield. The dust shield is just there to keep dust out when it flexes. Just grease it up often and you shouldn't have any problems. Then you need to grind down the edges some to gain the extra clearence you will need.
In these two pictures, you can see how much more clearence this gives you.
In these two pictures, you can see where we grinded to get our clearence.
Now since we have more clearence, you'll have to give the inner zerk fitting more clearence.
Here you can see why you needed to grind extra room in the "H" for your zerk fitting. It's the center zerk fitting.
Now put it all back together and you have a hi-angle cv. Takes about two hours and saves you about $300.00.
Here you can see the difference between a stock cv on the left and a clearenced cv on the right. It now has about 35 degrees of movement as opposed to about 22 degrees on the stock cv.
Then go find some .095 or .120 wall tubing, weld it up, take it to your favorite drive line shop and have it balanced and your good to go.