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Driveshaft Information

How to measure 
 
(if needed) Info on measuring vehicles for a custom driveshaft.  U-Joint Flange- Pinion Yoke measurements.  ID of different Driveshaft Types. 

U-Joint Identification
Basic U-Joint series size guide with dimensions for Inside & Outside lockup

Performer Series Steel Driveshafts
High Performance Steel Driveshafts
For Muscle cars, Hot Rods and Race Cars.  Also a Hi-Strength OE replacement driveshaft.

Nitro Series Steel driveshaft
Race Duty Hi-Strength DOM Steel High Performance Driveshaft in 1350 series U-Joint.  2000+Horsepower!

Import Driveshafts
Listings for New and Remanufactured Import Driveshafts for rear drive cars and trucks.

Aluminum Driveshafts

OE  Type Aluminum
Muscle Car - Hot Rods
Import Cars - tRUCKS
HD tRUCK aLUMINUM

 

Truck Driveshafts
Driveshafts for 4x4 and 2 wheel drive.  Front 4x4 Driveshafts. Custom Drive Shafts for lifted trucks. GM, Dodge, Ford, Jeep.

Chevy-GMC Trucks
DODGE TRUCKS
FORD TRUCKS
JEEPS
SPrinter-Mercedes
ALUMINUM TRUCK SHAFTS

Camaro & Firebird Driveshafts
New design 1 pc driveshafts for V-6 Camaro and Firebirds.  Custom Drive Shafts for ALL Camaro's and Firebird's.

Corvette and Cobra
Drive Shafts - Transmission Yokes - Flanges and Parts. 

Classics and Antiques
Carrier bearings for the older Buicks and Cadillac's as well as can rebuild most of the CV driveshafts.  Dodge and Chrysler Ball and Trunion driveshaft conversions.

Driveshaft type Diagrams
Diagrams of most driveshaft types used and measure diagrams for each type.

Driveshaft Part Listings

Transmission Slip Yokes
Transmission Yokes and 4x4 Transfer Case Slip yokes for cars and trucks.

IMPORT TRANSMISSION YOKES 

Transfer Case Bolt-on Yokes
Bolt on fixed type end yokes for transfer case.  CV type and single U-Joint yokes.  See Transmission for Slip type yokes

Pinion Yokes - Differential
Differential pinion yokes and flanges.

Driveshaft Component Parts
Listings for Universal Joints, Carrier Bearings, U-Bolts-Bolt/Strap Kits, Mid-Slip Yokes, Splined Stub Shafts. CV parts and diagrams.

Driveshaft Questions
Common Driveshaft questions and answers.

Customer Comments
Email feed back and testimonials from our customers.

Shop Photos

Performer Driveshaft, drive shaft

72 Chevelle with Driveshaft Specialist DriveshaftThe Performer Series Steel DOM Driveshaft is Excellent for most High Performance applications and also a High Strength OE - Original Equipment replacement drive shaft. 

 Performer driveshafts, drive shaftSpicer XL U-Joint

We prefer the Spicer XL U-Joint.  It is an extreme life U-Joint with a typical lifespan well over 100,000 miles with no maintenance or lubrication required.   In all Performance applications we have never seen one broken.

 

 
At Driveshaft Specialist we use high strength steel tubing made in the USA.  We also use Spicer XL U-Joints and all pricing includes the Spicer XL U-Joint.  With 1350 series U-Joint the Performer Series is good to 800HP on street tires.   

 

CRITICAL SPEED!

All Driveshafts have a Critical Speed limit.  It is really BAD NEWS when you exceed this speed.  The driveshaft actually goes in to a jump rope effect where the tube bends and then literally pulls apart in the middle.  This happens with quite a bang and then other assorted noises as your fuel tank, gas lines, brake lines, exhaust system and floor boards get the crap beat out of them.

With the advances in valve train and forged rotating components we are reaching unheard of engine speeds.  Couple this with deep gears and overdrive transmissions critical speeds are frequently exceeded.  Especially 60's-70's muscle cars with relatively low RPM and driveshafts that built for those engine RPM and design specs.

What can be done?

  In order to increase critical speed the driveshaft tube diameter has to be increased to add stability to the driveshaft.  Critical Speed varies with the length of the driveshaft.  Naturally in Steel drive shafts as tube diameter increases so does weight.  We have charts for determining critical speed, so don't be surprised when we ask what rear gears you run and how your vehicle will be used.

Another option for raising critical speed is Aluminum Driveshafts.  With aluminum you have a thicker wall tube for high speed stability but a 30-40% reduction in weight.  Aluminum driveshafts typically have a 15-20% increase in critical speed for the same tube size.

Aluminum Driveshafts listed here.

 

The Performer Series is available in all standard U-Joint series.  Click on U-Joint Series Identification for more information on U-Joints.  We also have conversion U-Joints available.  If we are building a new driveshaft conversion U-Joints are not needed as we will match the driveshaft to the U-Joint on the differential.

Transmission Yoke is not included in our pricing.  Transmission Yokes vary in pricing so we price the Driveshaft to your exact application, not just some generic price where you may end up paying more than the actual cost of your specific vehicle. 

Transmission Yokes listed here. 

 Most all of the tube sizes are now DOM for improved strength and tube straightness for improved hi-speed balancing.  We have steel tube diameters of 2.0, 2.5, 2.75, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0.  Call for pricing on any specific tube diameter not listed .  We can also go larger on the U-Joint series.  Please call.

Pricing includes Spicer XL U-Joint.  Best U-Joint made.  Made in the U.S.A.

The listed prices DO NOT include the transmission yoke.

Pricing is for .083 tubing - .065 is DOM and more expensive - Call
Transmission Yoke Sold Separately
U-Joint Series 3.0 x.083 3.5x.083 4.0 x.083
1310 $325 $335 $415
1330 $330 $345 $425
1350 $355 $375 $445
1410 $395 $420 $455
 
Inside Lock UJ
GM 3RL (S44) $350 $370 N.A
7260  Mopar $345 $375 Call
7290  Mopar $365 $385 Call

Note: Trans yoke is not included in pricing.

The Performer Series Driveshaft will come fully assembled with the Transmission Yoke and U-Joints Installed and Hi-Speed Balanced.

 If you have a good Transmission yoke, we can use it.  We will need it to install and properly Hi-Speed Balance the Driveshaft.  Call and let us know you are sending it. 

 

Hi Speed Electronic Balancing: 

We use a Stewart Warner electronic balancing machine.  We spin all driveshafts at hi rpm to make sure it as smooth as possible.  We typically can get the balance less than 1/15 of 1 ounce or within 2 grams. 

To determine the correct driveshaft length please see the Measure Sheet section for info on how to measure the vehicle. 

All Performer Series Driveshafts are built with exacting attention to detail and workmanship.  Our policy in the shop is "if it is questionable - IT Does NOT GO!".  we will not send you a drive shaft that is not as near to perfection as we can get it.

We would appreciate the opportunity to build a new driveshaft for you.

 

 Please call if you have any questions.  We are nice people.  We are here to assist in any way possible.  We would much prefer spending time with you double checking  than to do it wrong.  Please call toll free 1.866.455.6622 for orders or Tech Assistance.