Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft July 27, 2012, 05:43:33 PM Hey guys,I just found out a very useful bit of info that I wanted to share with you. Not only do Aerostars and Crown Vic's with the Police Interceptor package have aluminum drive shafts. 4 door 2wd Explorers, some late model E-Series vans and late model F-Series trucks. Late model extended cab Rangers have them too (standard cab Rangers reportedly have steel drive shafts). That's good info to know. That really widens your options of finding one. I'm gonna head to the bone yards tomorrow and see if I can find another one. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #1 – July 27, 2012, 06:23:37 PM I got mine from a Crown Vic cop car for free. Shortened and balanced, good to go. Total investment was about $138.00. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #2 – July 27, 2012, 06:39:25 PM All of my drive shaft searches end up with me having empty hands! Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #3 – July 27, 2012, 07:32:50 PM I'm sure you're not alone. The junk yards in my area either don't have any Crown Vice with the Police Interceptor package, or they do have one of those cars, but want way too much for the driveshaft. Some places had a car and a good price, but the driveshaft was rented, or bent. Knowing about 3 other types of vehicles that are suitable donors really increases your chances of finding one. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #4 – July 27, 2012, 07:35:36 PM Quote from: vinnietbird;394999I got mine from a Crown Vic cop car for free. Shortened and balanced, good to go. Total investment was about $138.00. Luckily, I have a place that can shorten and balance one for me for $65. I should be able to pick one up for $20 from a local yard tomorrow. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #5 – July 27, 2012, 07:43:43 PM so here's a question?.. can the DS from a ford van be used, and shortened... they are all aluminum too. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #6 – July 27, 2012, 07:47:41 PM They sure can. You might have to use special u-joints to install your yokes on the driveshaft, but it IS doable.I didn't know E Series vans had them too. That's good to know. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #7 – July 27, 2012, 07:58:28 PM I'll be ed! I just went out and checked my '06 E-350 and IT has an aluminum driveshaft. Well... I'll definitely have to add E-Series vans to the list of candidates now. Thanks Daminic for letting me know about that. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #8 – July 27, 2012, 08:08:10 PM Here's a good tip for anyone who's looking for one of these driveshafts. Use the pinion and slip yokes from the vehicle you take the driveshaft off of instead of your original yokes. Our cars came from the factory with yokes that have a narrower spread between the uijoint loops than Crown Vics and Ford vans/trucks. Crown Vics and Ford vans/trucks came with yokes that have a spread of 4 inches between the outside of the u-joint loops. Some trucks have a wider spread than this, but most seem to have a spread of 4 inches. Using yokes with a 4 inch spread will make your driveshaft stronger and will mean that you won't have to use special u-joints. That's a win, win. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #9 – July 27, 2012, 08:10:10 PM they all had aluminum DS's since 87 Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #10 – July 27, 2012, 08:12:33 PM If that's the case, it will sure make my job at the junkyard easier tomorrow. I measured the spread on my van's u-joint loops and they're 4 inches like I hoped. There are quite a few vans at the junkyard. :) Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #11 – July 27, 2012, 08:15:42 PM check the F series too Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #12 – July 27, 2012, 08:17:09 PM I'll do that and let you guys know what I find. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #13 – July 27, 2012, 08:18:44 PM Jerry, there are adapter u-joints that will adapt the Cougar's (Or Thunderbird's) yoke and to the larger driveshaft. Quote Selected
Finding An Aluminum Driveshaft Reply #14 – July 27, 2012, 08:21:25 PM The adapter u-joints should be avoided if you want the most strength. My driveshaft shop told me that. Considering simple physics, it makes sense too. Quote Selected