Square Tube Driveline

I built this driveline a year ago and had really good luck with it. I thought I'd share how easy it was to build.

The short version~
I used 2 1/2x2 1/2 receiver tube for the outside and 2" tube for the inside. I cut the yokes off my old driveline leaving plenty of the old tube. Then cut a couple of chunks of the inner tube and then ground down the yoke to center the one yoke for the outer part then welded that in. The other yoke I just shimmed it to center and then welded it to the smaller tube. I was lucky that I didn't have to do much grinding or shimming to get everything centered. I welded a bunch of spots on the inner tube then ground them to get a more snug fit. I hope I won't get much noise from it now. If it gets loose I can always put a few more spot welds on again.

I have yet to have a problem with it, I've even had it at Florence doing high speeds with no vibration. I didn't put any grease zerks in it because I wanted to run it dry. I was afraid the grease would collect sand and grit. I can hear a little clanking running down the trails so it might be time to weld some more nipples on. Over all I can't be more happy for the money I spent.

Nice work!:awesomework:

****! I forgot the sticker on mine. I'll have to put a Rancho decal on to make it pimp. Nice. I love SQ driveshafts.........................:awesomework:

Genius. Looks awsome. A friend of mine said that his square drivelines filled with so much mud that they wouldn't compress all the way. Has that ever happend to you. If so, do you think you could incorperate holes big enough for mud to push out without compromising the integrity of the shaft?

This thread reeks of good tech! Happy bearings to all!:;

Clanga clanga clanga clanga clanga clanga.

Nice write up. I added it to the "how to" section :awesomework:

i had a square front driveline for over 3 years best $20 bucks i ever spent...

Ty. said:

Genius. Looks awsome. A friend of mine said that his square drivelines filled with so much mud that they wouldn't compress all the way. Has that ever happend to you. If so, do you think you could incorperate holes big enough for mud to push out without compromising the integrity of the shaft?

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I put in on so it would drain. I suppose if you had a problem you could just pull it apart and hose out the center.

CHOP SHOP said:

This thread reeks of good tech! Happy bearings to all!:;

Clanga clanga clanga clanga clanga clanga.

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It goes clinkity clinkity clinkity...:redneck:

Are you thinking the pinion bearing going out? My thoughts are that I don't run it enough to worry about it. Doesn't get very many miles a year.

North Plains Drifter said:

It goes clinkity clinkity clinkity...:redneck:

Are you thinking the pinion bearing going out? My thoughts are that I don't run it enough to worry about it. Doesn't get very many miles a year.

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Don't mind him. He doesn't like it when other people build stuff on the cheap:awesomework: He is a self proclaimed "king of da budget builds":haha:

I thought the Yokes are suposed to be inline on a standard U-Joint? not 90 degrees out?

Easy fix.

Looks good otherwise.

Eric said:

I thought the Yokes are suposed to be inline on a standard U-Joint? not 90 degrees out?

Easy fix.

Looks good otherwise.

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That's the nice thing about square tube. Pull it out, rotate 90* and put it back in. :;

PHILLBILLY said:

That's the nice thing about square tube. Pull it out, rotate 90* and put it back in. :;

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Like I said easy fix

Eric said:

I thought the Yokes are suposed to be inline on a standard U-Joint? not 90 degrees out?

Easy fix.

Looks good otherwise.

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That was quite a subject of debate when I first built it. I looked at numerous different drivelines and they were set up both ways. I can't remember which way I put it in now that I think of it, but your right, it's an easy fix!

PHILLBILLY said:

Don't mind him. He doesn't like it when other people build stuff on the cheap:awesomework: He is a self proclaimed "king of da budget builds":haha:

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Im all about the cheap. But square drivelines are ghetto. And real heavy.

If he is happy and endorses it then thats fine. But the opinion of it working great is coming from a guy that doesnt FEEL the shake caused by a 90 degree out of phase driveline.

If he didnt notice the shakes from the out of phase yokes, I dont think he noticed the rest of the hi quality traits that a square dline has to offer.

Im all for cheap, but will not endorse ghetto.:beer:

CHOP SHOP said:

If he is happy and endorses it then thats fine. But the opinion of it working great is coming from a guy that doesnt FEEL the shake caused by a 90 degree out of phase driveline.

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I have never felt or had any vibrations/problems with it. I'm pretty sure I installed it with the yokes straight but it's been in there a year and I can't remember without looking. Yes it is cheap, but with the $$$ some shops charge to build what I needed, this was the best route since, like me, most of us are on a tight budget! If it breaks down the road from now, then it will be dealt with differently next time.

Thanks for your comment's, I do like constructive feedback because without them **** would not get built right! :awesomework:

If you'd use 1 1/2x1/4 and 2x1/4 instead of the receiver tubing you wouldn't have the clankity clank from the retarded amount of slack in the receiver stuff. Only trick is to grind the 1 1/2 a touch for the 2" seam to fit into and run it. It will naturally vibrate much less too as it is a tighter fit.

i beat on my front square driveline for more than 4 years...good job!! mine was never centered wheni welded it..it was good for like 30mph...but it was strong..:awesomework:

The sticker sets that thing off! I like it.