Help 2nd Gen Front Driveshaft/Superlift

[Xplodor]

Hey everyone, well my front driveshaft has A LOT of play in it at this point (see picture). I've been hearing a weird metal noise get progressively worst the past month and a half. I first thought it was rocks bouncing around in my skid plates. I finally crawled under the truck to inspect. I've have A LOT of play right here. I never bought a new driveshaft when I put the lift on. The stock one seemed to fit fine, guess I was wrong. The picture below is the front driveshaft looking twards the rear of the truck. I will buy a new driveshaft from Superlift but I have some questions:

1. Question is what is this piece, CV Joint?
2. How hard is it to remove the front driveshaft?
3. Can I drive with the front driveshaft off for 2 weeks?
4. I heard of converting this to a U-Joint?
5. Is this part of the driveshaft or did I mess something up on the T-Case? The rubber gasket is destroyed.

 

[addkev]

I can only answer 1 of your questions, taking the driveshaft off is easy, I did it when I changed my tranny filter to clear the tranny pan, 4 bolts on each end if I recall.

 

[Xplodor]

Bumpidy Bump!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Originally posted by Xplodor
1. Question is what is this piece, CV Joint? Yes
2. How hard is it to remove the front driveshaft? It's pretty easy to take off, there are about 6 bolts that have to be taken out
3. Can I drive with the front driveshaft off for 2 weeks?Yes
4. I heard of converting this to a U-Joint? You would have to take the transfer case part to change the yoke. This is not an easy thing to do
5. Is this part of the driveshaft or did I mess something up on the T-Case? The rubber gasket is destroyed. This is part of the drive shaft

 

[Xplodor]

WOOHOO!!! Ray I OWE you!

 

[DesertSpive]

Ron, let me know how you like you new d/s. I ripped my boot on the RCD kit as well, but thats because they knicked it when installing the shaft. Bilstein has been running thier shaft (with that angle) for two years, no problem.

What I found out from Ford and several d/s shops is that Spicer and Ford don't sell the boot seperately. You have to buy the whol d/s assembly to get it. I was lucky enough that Wade (go off road) had a spare lying around and shipped it out to me. So far so good on the new one.

--Sean

 

[Xplodor]

Well the noises I was hearing were coming from the worn out CV joint. The removal of the front DS was EASY. 6 bolts that attached it to the T-Case, and four star bolts that attached it to the U-Joint on the front axle. I will order my new DS next week and take pictures. It drives well with 2wd. It also seems to pick up alittle better.

 

[adarkang]

I know this is an old post but will the superlift driveshaft fit with the stock torsion bar brackets in place? I see you have little room in that picture between the shaft and the bracket! Any help would be appreciated!