I didnt have to check all that cause after l took it out, l noticed it was rebuilt, Some one was in it before. But l did get it fixed, got home, ripped into the axle again. Took me about 45 minutes to do it in the driveway in the rain. But ya do what ya gotta do. So now it's all fixed. I tested it out. Put it in 4wd, went forward 1/4 throttle, all 4 tires spun. Backed up some and mashed on it and guess what? l tore out the front drive shaft. Snapped a u-joint in the cardan joint. So much for those " Brute Force " u-joints that Nappa sells. I'll just have to finish my new drive shaft that has been sitting in my garage for 14 months. But its all good.

My truck aint fancy like some of the ones on here, but l like the old school look. I am pure old school. ( 62 years young ) But ya have to admit, it is a good looking truck.

 

Well, you are almost there......

 

PS: l want to thank " HeyYou for his advice. It was very, very helpful.

 

Happy to be of service.

 

Ok , now l have 2 more questions. 1) l am putting together my new front drive shaft. I had to do a lil grinding on the flange part due to it being heavy duty and still had the squared off casting part on it., and they had to be rounded off some so that l could get the max angle like stock one. Question is this, Will l have to ( or should l ) get the shaft reballanced? I never go off road with it and l only use the 4x4 about once every 2 years. LOL. I live in southern Oklahoma. So no snow, just ice, and l dont go over 20 to 25 mph in 4wd. There is a place in Bonham TX that does it for around $100. Recomendations??

Question 2) How can l reduce my spring height of my front coils with out heating/cutting, replacing ect? I have a 5inch lift on it and it has the front shaft at the maxe angle it can go. I want to lower the spring height by 1 inch. By doing that, it will reduce the angle and releave some of the stress on the shaft. Open to all " safe " ideas

 

As for the re-balance, I would test it, and see if you get a vibration. If you don't, then don't worry about it.

I think your only alternative, aside from heating or cutting the current springs, is replacing them...... There are also the funky clamps that go around a couple coils, that you crank down to reduce ride height..... No clue where you would get them though, as I haven't seen 'em for quite a while.

 

OK. As for the ballance, if it does vibrate around 20 or 25, l'll slow down. As long as it's moving, ya aint stuck. It only has to last me this winter. ( Jan-Feb ) In short, it better then nothing. My plans are to take my stock shaft to the drive shaft guy and have a new nipple end put on it in the summer. Way cheaper then having a new one totally made or buying a after market 1. You can get the spring clamps @ auto zone. But it is recommended that you use grade 8 bolts. I was just wondering how safe they are.