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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2003
09:20:56

Subject: .alex.-drive shaft mods?
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.alex.,

I've got a quad, 4.7, 5spd manny, yadda, yadda,

I couldn't find the post about the driveshaft mods that you and Duner had done.

It involved slips of metal into one of the rubber boots of the two piece drive shaft?, or something like that.

Not so much explain the whole thing over again, maybe just help with the link to the thread?

TIA

Todd Bouton

PS-largely based on your observations on the HO intake after the HO cams, I'm installing one I have soon! I think you and the dyno said, it pulls hard past 5 grand? That will be fun!



.alex.
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2003
09:46:23

RE: .alex.-drive shaft mods?
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It makes useable power to about 5500. From there, it's just trailing off, but 5500 is better than 4700.

As for the driveshaft mod, I am not sure where that thread is. So here's a brief version....

The problem: The CC's with 5-spds have a 2-piece driveshaft. The driveshaft is supported at the middle with what's called a carrier bearing. Typically, the carrier bearing is mounted to the frame support with a steel housing and is a solid piece. Dodge decided to use a crazy carrier bearing that I've never seen before. The outside frame is metal, which bolts to the support. Between the metal frame and the metal bearing race, this one is all rubber. I guess it's to dampen the vibrations. The main problem is, this rubber allows the driveshaft to deflect about 1/2" in any direction. Not good for racing and launches, and in Duner's case, the shifter would wobble violently in the cab while he was towing.

The solution:
The rubber part of the carrier bearing is not solid. There are places on the backside of the unit that are open. You will have to jack up the truck on all 4 corners and crawl under to get a good idea of what I am talking about. What Duner did, and what I did was cut little pieces of steel about 1 1/2" long and about 3/4" wide. Then, you want to smooth the edges down and try to beat them into a semi-curl to match the rounded space that you will be stuffing them into. I had the benefit of a buddy's metal shop and his anvil.

Anyhow, you want to shove as many pieces in between the bearing race and the rubber as you can. On the top, and each side. This keeps the driveshaft from being able to move up & down. To hold the pieces of steel in place, Duner & I took hose clamps and ran them through the same slot, closed them and tightened them as tight as possible. This keeps the steel from working itself out backwards.

Results:
You will definitely feel much more driveline vibration, especially on deceleration. It firms up the launch, and if your suspension is tuned well, you may see improvements in your 60' times (with slicks of course).

However:
I am in need of some new U-Joints very soon. I have found a driveshaft shop that will replace that bullsh*t rubber bearing with a solid piece and do a few other custom mods. I am waiting to get my tax return and pay down my credit card before I do that, though. We'll see what kind of improvement that gets me.....



Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2003
09:57:09

RE: .alex.-drive shaft mods?
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Thanks .alex.,

I'll save this post, it explains it pretty well.

This is for my Quad, that's my daily family car, truck that tows my boat, TUV with a 'leer' cab high on the bed, etc.



.alex.
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4/02/2003
10:26:18

RE: .alex.-drive shaft mods?
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I can't gaurantee that the carrier bearing will be the same on the quads if it is even there at all. The R/T CC's have a one-piece shaft that doesn't need this mod, because there's no carrier bearing. If your quad is a 5-spd, it may have it, but if it's an auto, it may not even be there.

Just crawl under and look. If you have universal joints anywhere besides the front end and back end of the shaft, then you have the 2-piece. I'll be interested in seeing what the quads have....



Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2003
10:36:57

RE: .alex.-drive shaft mods?
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.alex.,

If it's a 5 speed?

HELL YES!!

Thanks, but I understand the concept of the carrier bearing, 2 piece drive shaft, etc.

I'll look later today, but I looked before and I think I remember that it has a 2-piece shaft.

Todd



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