ok so im starting to do my clutch. i drive the front up on ramps. i jack the back up with the floor jack. then but jack stands under it and lower the jack. i left he floor jack just below the rear axle just siting there. a wile later someone leaned on the front of the truck...pushed it off the ramps and the jack stands tipped over. the truck went back and then fell....on the flor jack. all the weight of the truck on the drive shaft. it hit it. and then slid and stopped and dented the **** out of it. so basically i need a new drive shaft. i just spent most of my $$ on my clutch so i need one cheap. (i think ill be able to get one from the local JY for under $100) i would prefer to get an aluminum one unless u guys say other...are they even any better. also i know i would need one out of a 1998+ ranger....only i dont think there is any here...not sure tho. also my truck is a 1998 extra cab 4x4 3.0 5 speed. i guess i would need one out of an extra cab but im not sure. also will explorer ones work? there is about 100 expos there ...lol thanks

 

That blows man PM WVCat i know he has one extra one but i dunno if hes going to use it

 

check local shops. i paid $100 for a new tube and spicer u-joints installed when my DS was bent.

 

. a wile later someone leaned on the front of the truck...pushed it off the ramps and the jack stands tipped over.
And people get upset when a garage or dealer shop won't let them in the service bays.
On the bright side , nobody was under it .

 

so does any body know if an expo one will work?

 

bump

 

That sucks man.. I'm pretty sure an expo DS is different length

 

bump...kinda need to go get one and need to know if an expo one will work? also to the aluminum ones make much of a difference? thanks

 

The aluminum is jsut lighter.. And im gonna take a wild but probally correct guess and say the expo ds wont work im thinking there probally different lengths just like the ranger std and ext cabs are different lengths

 

thats what i was thinking

 

Actually the steel and aluminum are pretty much the same weight the aluminum shafts are much larger in diameter and may cause clearance issues, but definitely worth checking out.

 

Aluminum is lighter so you have less rotating mass to wind up, and the larger diameter makes them "stronger". As for the expo driveshaft, and what years will work.... really depends on the length. You can always change the slip yoke on the end if you need to. Just measure your driveshaft and head off to the junkyard with a tape measure.

 

However the aluminum shaft must have 30% more material to be a strong as the steel and the steel is only about 25% heavier than aluminum.

I have had an aluminum driveshaft and the have problems with the splines, if it were me I would stick to the steel.

 

A lot of Rangers came stock with aluminum driveshafts, its not going to cause any problems swapping one in.

 

keep in mind, 99 switched to a 3" front flange vs. your 2.5" front flange, so if you get a 2000+ shaft youll need to use your front flange

 

i think im just going to get my rebuilt....use my ends and put in a new center piece.