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Samurai front driveshaft...

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Samurai front driveshaft...
« on: September 25, 2009, 06:07:55 AM »
I just bought a sammi last week, it has the tracker 1.6 motor, auto tranny, and transfer case. After driving it for 10 minutes I knew we had some work ahead of us. The truck had bump steer terribly bad and the rear springs (stock SOA) are shot.  We rotated the front axle back horizontal as it was turned up toward the transfer case and got rid of the "road grater" steering, then fabbed a z bar for steering control. this has made the drive 200% better. Now for the springs, I am getting used calmini which the guy believes are 3" lift, the problem I know I am going to have is the front driveshaft angle.  I know if I go 3" higher the length and angle are going to be an issue.

So 2 questions:

1. Is there a stock driveshaft out there that can be shortened that will accept this angle?

2. As far as custom driveshafts, who are you guys using that is a good buy for the money?

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Offline Drone637

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Re: Samurai front driveshaft...
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2009, 03:03:46 PM »
The last driveshaft I bought modified was from Hawk Suzuki, it hasn't had a problem since so I guess they did a good job.  :D

If your worried about angle you might look at swapping to a Toyota CV style drive shaft.
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

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Offline Amilla

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Re: Samurai front driveshaft...
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2009, 11:44:29 PM »
The only true way to fix your front pinion angle without messing up your steering geometry, is to cut and rotate the knuckle balls.

If your just lifting it, I would just try a spacer and see where that gets you.  Then if that doesn't work, got with a custom drive shaft.


Amilla

88 Samurai, Sprung Up, Geared Down, Locked,With Yotas.

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phloop

Re: Samurai front driveshaft...
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2009, 08:26:38 AM »
If you end up going the custom driveline route, check out Zuks Off Road as MY is now has custom drivelines.

Re: Samurai front driveshaft...
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2009, 10:46:38 AM »
I have had really good luck with rocky-road.com drive shafts. They are made for 1/2 ton Chevy and I have never had any problems. But they run about $300 each. But again, never had a problem.

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Offline Snorkeld_Zuk

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Re: Samurai front driveshaft...
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2009, 08:21:01 PM »
I have the calmini shackle reversal and petroworks spoa pads, which are about 1/2 taller than most spoa pads, I still have the stock driveline, with a 1" spacer. It works, has never pulled apart, but there is less spline engagement than I would like, and I plan on removing the shackle reversal and doing something different up front. I believe rockrat makes adapters for toyota drivelines, and if you modify a 2nd gen (86-95) toyota double cardan joint it flexes pretty well, you would have to shorten it a bit, but that would probably be the cheapest and easiest.
88 Samurai: (White Zuk) Lifted, locked, geared, caged, etc
88.5 Samurai: (Red Zuk) Project pile