Technical Shortening a torque tube rear

Has anybody or does anybody know of a way to shorten a torque tube rear to allow set back of a motor?

 

Umm? Cut it,shorten it,weld it back together?

 

I've done several-- back on the old HAMB I did a tech article with pics but it has dissapeared. Basically you need a cold saw or something to cut it perfectly straight. We cut left about 4" of the rear piece that bolts to the 3rd member and turned that in a lathe to get a mating lip on it. Then we set it in a jig to TIG weld it up. The driveshaft also has to be shortened. You can use a coupler for this. When you cut the driveshaft down, it will be a smaller diameter than the ends, you will slide half of the coupler onto this. TIG weld around it . Pre drill 4 equally spaced holes in the couple and use this to weld into. Measuring is duper critical as you want the trans mount and u-joints to fit right, not binding and not off.

 

As stated above the outer tube is a walk in the park, just keep it square. Also know that Speedway makes a cut to fit inner shaft/tube. If you do have the solid apx. 1" solid shaft I have welded the coupler on as stated above with no issues.
The Wizzard

 

This is how I do the inner drive shaft. After turning a path on the shaft, I bore the coupler to a tap-on fit, and using a "V" mill cutter, machine 2 slots, and weld it up, let it cool in a bucket of kitty litter.

 

Thanks for everyone's input hopefully I can pull it of. I have three rear sections so I can only screw it up twice. Hopefully third times a charm!

 

I just shortened a 34 tt for my model a. I cut it with a pipe cutter.Be sure your rear axle is square to the frame or you will get rear steer.

 

I've done it too on a '40 Torque tube for my Av8. It's not terribly hard, just needs to be straight when welded back together. I used a cut to length tubular drive shaft kit from Dick Spadaro but made a new tube from 4130 instead of the one that came from Dick because it was pretty thin and was weak.

 

Here's the last one I did

Squared the end up on the lathe


Mocked up (here's where a good first line comes in hand


And here another way to shorten driveshaft if you have access to a lathe

 

That's the way I would like to do instead of a coupler. I think reaming the tube and welding in the slug will keep tube truer than relying on a knock on coupler. How far in does the slug go?

 

I did mine the same way as Dirtys Speed Shop did. Inserted inner about 3in''.
at the time I didn't have access to a lathe so it was done by more conventional hand tools.
take it to get strait/or balanced at a driveline shop after.
You should be fine if you take your time and deliver good welds.

the keyways on the drums are the week spot of a banjo rear.
good luck

 

Not a banjo, it's out of a 52 chevy deluxe. Does that change my plans? I've never cut one open before.