Hi guys,

New member here; first of all thanks in advance for taking a look at this. Here's the short of it: I've a 2003 Ranger, 4x4, SuperCab, V6, manual, EDGE package that I bought ~4 years ago. No big issues so far until coming from dinner this wknd the rear shaft drive broke in half (seemingly) with the rear portion of it still attached to the back differential and the front part of it pivoting down to the floor... I had it towed to the autoshop where I do my annual inspections.

I'm on a tight budget and need the truck for work, so would really appreciate some advice on what to do plus ballpark cost estimates. I've seen refurbished shafts online going for ~$250 (plus shipping). Questions:

1. Any idea what labor to replace the drive shaft should run me?
2. Anything else that could be done other than just replacing the thing with the same part? (e.g. I heard about aluminum shafts?)
3. Any other compatible shafts out there (so I could shop around for $)?

Any input would be very appreciated, i've spent some time going over the forum but couldn't find the info.

Thanks for your time.

 

Pick a driveshaft at a junkyard put in some new u joints and call it good. That's what I would do. Check out car-part.com put in your truck, the part your looking for and it will show results of the years that are Compatible.

 

Awesome, thanks green, you just saved me a ton of research; found a couple of options nearby for ~$110, not bad.

One more question for anyone who may know: Are the alum/steel shafts interchangeable? car-part.com lists both options for the same model.

Much appreciated.

 

yes they are interchangeable just make sure you get one for the correct transmission and wheelbase.

 

Got it. Will likely get a junkyard shaft, new u joints and have it done at a shop. Thanks for the input, will let you know how it goes!

 

Update, the local shop (Eastman Auto) quoted me $350 all in (shaft, u-joints and labor), which I thought was a very decent price (no?) so went with it. Was I off expecting ~ twice that much (based on online comments)?

 

Thats actually pretty good considering your basically doing an in-house reman. Most remans are in that price range just for the shaft and all they really do is replace u joints and clean it up a bit.

 

Alright then, I'll let you guys what the outcome is in case someone in the forum is nearby.

Pearl, i see you've a 2003, 3.0L V6, supercab. I've a 2003, same engine, 4x4, supercab, manual, but came with the edge package (hood, flair side, 'edge' here and there), not the xlt, and can't find it listed anywhere as an official model/trim level. Just wondering if anyone knows what's up with that.

 

Edge is a variation of the xlt package as far as i understand it kinda like the STX package was the start with a 4x4 xlt and add on the trim pieces and such that make it an edge same procedure with the STX. However most catalogues and shops around here have it listed as edge in their catalogues strange that you can't find it?

 

Yeah, just looking around online it seems most places only list the 4.0, 4x4 edge or the 3.0 4x2 edge, can't find the 3.0, 4x4 edge... anyhow, the XLT explanation makes sense.

 

could also have been a special order by the original owner or a goof order by a dealer they are rare but do happen.

 

Could be, I remember the guy I got it from (2nd owner) saying something like 'it's some sort of weird version that came with the EDGE package'. Anyhow.

Update on the shaft. I asked the guy at the shop what could have made it snap, you won't believe what he told me, bear with me on the story, it's worth it.

About a year ago I bought and old 1948 airstream, it came with ugly square patches of carpet, which I removed as part of the remodel. I kept some of the square sections on my truck bed to help slide loads in and out (pretty good for that). Apparently one of the carpet patches fell through the gap between the truck's cabin and the truck bed... it apparently fell and stopped against the shaft, and stayed there for months... rubbing against the aluminum shaft... degrading it little by little ('polishing' it) until it ate through!

I thought it was a pretty crazy story, the aluminum shaft width is crazy thin and its got cardboard inside (to reduce noise?).

Anyways, I thought some of you would enjoy this. Thanks for the input.

Total was $350, picked up today, new shaft and new u-joints, all in.

 

Definitely possible they tell you with all aluminum radiators to be careful of anything rubbing on it its strong but incredibly soft at the same time. Not a bad price glad you got it fixed!