Do I need a new drive shaft with a lift?

[71 waggy]

My 6" lift from hell creek should be here next week. I haveread a number of different posts with conflicting results. Do i need a new drive shaft for my 71 wagoneer with a 6" lift?

[Blake]

I think it depends.

I did SOA/SF on my waggy for about 7" of lift and didn't need a new rear shaft. Pics in my goofy build (link in sig). I later replaced it with an atlas and got 1350 shafts then.

I'm sure others will say you will.

[jsice78]

My 72 has about 5in of lift if I had to guess and the driveshaft is pulling apart from the middle.

[addicted]

That much lift you should get a longer one, even though the stock one will work in a lot of cases, it is just better to be safe than sorry.

[billyrb]

up to 6", you can use your original dshaft. If you go SOA or more than 6" of suspension lift, you need to lengthen driveshafts.

[88MudMangler]

I have 6" lift, no problems with driveshaft.

[71 waggy]

Thanks everyone... anything else i should be prepared for beyond rusty bolts and a lot of head scratching and cursing?

[68glad]

Prepare for it to not drive the same unless you put on a drop pitman arm or something equivelant.

[71 waggy]

I plan on going the drop pittman, new tie rods, steering stabilizer, and of course extended brakelines. Any oth suggestions on what should be changed while I am at it?

[Blake]

Originally Posted by 71 waggy

Any oth suggestions on what should be changed while I am at it?

Return the 6" springs and trade them in for some new stock springs, then go SOA. That is, of course, if you like a nice smooth ride that flexes well.

[71 waggy]

I do not have the skill nor the welder required for an soa. I thought about route but the local 4x4 shop wanted $750 andcould not guarantee they could get the steering geometry right without extra $

[70Wangoneer]

Did my 70 with a Hell Creek 6" lift. Ride is a bit stiff, front SUA with drop pitman arm. I have had good luck and havent had to change the stock drivelines. My front driveline is a bit extended, but is still hangin in there. Good luck with the install...You will need to find someone with a hydraulic press, and lots of anti-seize paste to fit the new bushings into the original shackles, mine were wasted. That was the only problem I had during the install.

[billyrb]

or, instead of paying someone with a press, find a coupon and buy a HF unit or a good used one on craigslist, then you can press them out yourself

[duracell]

Originally Posted by billyrb

or, instead of paying someone with a press, find a coupon and buy a HF unit or a good used one on craigslist, then you can press them out yourself

That is a good piece of advice. Ive been trying to decide if I wanted to get one now I have another reason beside wheel studs

[MonsterZ]

This would be a really good time to swap out u-joints, keep the originals as spare/emergency pairs in the glove box. Especially since you will be changing driveline angles and placing more stress on them. It really sucks to put in a new lift, and be off the road again a few weeks later because you just broke a u joint. Been there before.

[billyrb]

the only real downside to the HF press is the plates. There have been a couple reports of them breaking under pressure and shooting parts, but who knows what they were doing and if the plates were perfect when they were using them, or if it was user error. I have one in the garage and like it, but also make sure not to over-extend it's capabilities, and I use it as intended (mostly for u-joints, pressing in lug studs, etc.).