Hello all, i am in the process of converting my 39 coupe to an open driveline. so far i have a 216 adapter plate, t5 trans and a rearend out of a 1988 s10 blazer 4x4. I am wondering if an s10 driveline would work? Am i able to shorten it and run it? If not, what driveline are you guys using? thanks
Driveshaft. The driveline is the whole combo, from engine through rearend. Probably best to take some precise measurements between trans and rear yoke to a driveshaft shop. Getting a perfect balance on the shaft is very important.
Maybe. Both ends of than OEM setup use a 3R u-joint, and it all goes together. You have rightly realized that there is a length issue. Driveshafts in the S10 varied over the years. Not all are one-piece, and some had a step in diameter. Some can be shortened, some cannot. Since that configuration of parts exists in a great many GM vehicles, a donor shaft could also be found, and shortened. That cl*** of u-joint was used in GM cars and light trucks for decades, as was that spline count transmission yoke (27-spline, T4/T5/TH350/2004R/700R4, and a few others). It is possible that one exists in the correct length already, but there is no "master list" of driveshaft lengths. Some lengths are ****tered across the internet, and would need to be dug up.
Look for a power drive shop , a large truck shop that builds new drive shafts in your area . I use a company in Wichta KS to build driveshafts for my trucks and my 57 Fairlane . I used google and found Performance Driveline in Bakersfield. Maybe they can help you out . I’ve watched my Grandpa shorten a drive shaft that was too long and weld it back together with success. But it was for a slow moving farm truck. A out of balance or even a driveshaft with the yokes not clocked right can make a mess of things . Sometimes it’s best to let the pros do it .
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