Trying to get my '56 crown vic together. I've installed a 302/AOD and need a driveshaft. Finally located an '88 crown vic shaft. The rear flange is wrong and the '56 shaft tube has a smaller outside diameter than the '88 tube, so I can't just swap the '56 and '88 rear shaft yoke. I have the new '56 rear u-joint with the four bolt set up, but it's not going to fit the '88 yoke. Is there a rear end flange that will work/fit my '56 rear end to use the '88 shft? Any help and parts id get my shaft going is really appreciated.
When I did mine I used a Crown Vic drive shaft to bolt it up to my 302 & AOD you change the Crown Vic's rear U-joint to this https://www.ebay.com/p/236105400 and it will bolt up to the stock rear end.
Thanks for the reply Jeff. The universal I previously bought (Universal Joint Rear GMB 210-2031) was for a stock '56 Ford and it is much smaller than the '88 universal. So this one you mention will have the small/large to fit the stock '56 and the '88? The '88 side will also use the outside clips, right. Just want to be sure so I don't get the wrong one again. Thanks Joe.
Joe, conversion u-joints are usually readily available at auto supply stores.......particularly the off-road places. Get all of the info together for the style (clip or u-bolt, etc.), diameter of caps, and overall length for both legs. My local supply place had what I needed in stock, but had they not, it would have been in the next day. Rich
If there is a shop near you that makes up driveshaft, they may have the u-joint to make everything work.
I had a new driveshaft made with correct yokes. Cost was a little over $300 and I supplied the trans yoke.
Think that's the direction I'm headed. Just need to know if the cross over u-joint from '88 Crown Vic to '56 Crown Vic is the one Jeff suggested- Universal Joint Neapco 2-0291 Thank all of you for your help. Joe.
I had one made for my 56 F100. I took him both driveshafts and he made me one one, it cost me $120. I miss 1989.
The NAPA equivalent of the Neapco 2-0291 is the Perfection 506. Go to your local NAPA store, grab one and see if it works. If not, you can return it. Then you can consider spending $300 for a custom driveshaft. That's just me....always trying to save a buck.
This should fit in most cases ,some Crown Vics that were for Taxi and Police did use a larger rear U-joint though.
The Jalopy Journal
