Drivetrain Tech General discussion of drivetrain for the Ford Ranger.

will a steel driveshaft work with no mod inplace of my aluminum one?

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Old 09-01-2007
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will a steel driveshaft work with no mod inplace of my aluminum one?

Ya so I have come to the realization that my aluminum drive shaft is pretty mickey mouse, and was wondering if a steel shaft would be a direct bolt on.....
 
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How is an aluminum driveshaft mickey mouse?

I'd stick with the aluminum one.
 
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Old 09-01-2007
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Aluminum is way better FYI
 
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Old 09-01-2007
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doesnt seem very strong.
 
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Old 09-01-2007
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
An aluminum driveshaft is quite a bit more expensive and it is usually specified to control driveshaft whip at high vehicle speeds. Pound for pound, aluminum alloy can be every bit as strong as steel. For the same weight and diameter, the walls can be made 3 times as thick and that means more rigidity. If Ford spent the money on an aluminum shaft, it is for a reason, probably high speed driveshaft vibration.

I don't know the exact reason why they are found most often on the autos but it probably has to do with preventing damage to the transmission. Ford had a recall on 4WD Aerostars (close cousin to the Ranger powertrain) that were breaking transmissions and transfer cases due to high speed driveshaft vibration. The repair was a new transfer case rear output shaft bearing and an aluminum driveshaft in place of the steelie.

http://www.internetautoguide.com/aut...gon/index.html

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...um+drive+shaft
 
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Old 09-01-2007
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yeah, unless you offorad your truck and drop the whole thing on a rock that just hits your driveshaft then there isn't a way really to break it other wise.
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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please tell me your really not worried about your driveshaft....
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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wtf??

yea, one piece aluminum and one piece steel....interchangible. I don't see why not. And put some greasable joints in it. but.....why?
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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I rate this thread a *2*


Anyways, your truck is pretty mickey mouse dude. Get 329847234239087 horsepower like D. or 35 inch tires like me and then you can think about upgrading things that don't need upgraded.
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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I went FROM a steel shaft to the Spicer Aluminum unit, for many reasons. Lighter weight (decrease in rotating mass @ high speed) was a biggie for me, but the thing is huge. Like Dano said; your U-joints will explode first. Promise.
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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and if your worried about rocks.. they will mangle a steel one too, ask me how i know.
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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If it's a supercab and you go with the steel drive shaft, odds get better that you will experience the infamous "driveline clunk". The aluminum shafts are supposedly better at preventing that problem (although from what I've read that's debatable).
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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pissed D off so edited... not like its not quoted down there but what ever...
 

Last edited by Redneckstone; 09-03-2007 at 07:21 AM.
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by Redneckstone
your are proving with threads like this you have no clue about vehicles its just shocking...
It makes me feel good.
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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mine is aluminum, no issues. and i am sure i ride mine harder than you do. heck it bent when i was at the dunes and i still drove around with the bent one for a while.

its an expensive **** too. cost me 475 for a new one.
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by Redneckstone
your are proving with threads like this you have no clue about vehicles its just shocking...

woah thats harsh
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by zabeard
mine is aluminum, no issues. and i am sure i ride mine harder than you do. heck it bent when i was at the dunes and i still drove around with the bent one for a while.

its an expensive **** too. cost me 475 for a new one.

2fiddy for a steel one
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by 99ranger4x4
2fiddy for a steel one

yeah i didnt care, i just took my stock aluminum one to the driveshaft shop and said fix it...

it was the last thing i needed to get my truck back on the road.

after spending 1000+ on repair parts that was nothin
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by Redneckstone
your are proving with threads like this you have no clue about vehicles its just shocking...
With posts like this you're proving you have no clue about grammar or punctuation.

/end grammar police
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by Redneckstone
your are proving with threads like this you have no clue about vehicles its just shocking...
dude seriously

isnt that the point? To ask questions, no matter how ridiculous
 
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Old 09-02-2007
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Originally Posted by evnmn3
dude seriously

isnt that the point? To ask questions, no matter how ridiculous
yes normally but its DAVE.. idk how he comes up with this stuff. and its never ending... been going on a while...
 


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