I've searched under "driveshaft" and couldn't find an answer, so here goes. I have the 4" Skyjacker lift, and am running 35's, with 4:88 gears. Haven't had any driveline vibration, but the rear driveshaft is clearly at a severe angle. Needless to say, it just broke on me after 4,000 miles (almost entirely highway miles). What are my options to prevent this from happening in the future?

Thanks in advance.

 

Buy a new drive line (Je Reel or someone) and even then adjust your rear axle to decrease the angle. You need adjustable arms.

 

Yeah, I would have to agree - pick up a new double cardin u-joint style drive shaft and some adjustable rear upper control arms and be done with it

 

Thanks much for the advice, guys. Where can I get this new drive shaft and the adjustable rear control arms? Specific brands? What do the control arms do -- allow me to rotate the rear axle up to decrease the angle on the driveshaft? Also, can't I just drop the transfer case with spacers or something?

 

I have JE Reel Drive lines, you can call them or you can even use 4WD, JE Reel was good phone help for me too. I think Rubicon Express also has Drive Lines.
Double-cardin type is key.

As far as adjustable control arms. I think everyone but Skyjacker offers them. for the most part they are all pretty good. Full Traction, RE....just do a search at Quadtratec or 4WD find what you think is nice then ask about it. Someone on here must have that brand and can give some insight.

I don't know of anyone who has lowered their transfer case. Haven't even heard of it on a JK. Just go with at least rear upper control arms and you'll be good.

 

I just installed a BD 3" lift. I replaced the OE driveshafts with JR Reel. I noticed my rear drive shaft is at a slight angle. No appreciable vibration was noted on my test drive. It appears the rear upper control arms need to be lenghtened , and or the lower control arms need to be shortened, the OE arms are still installed.
Am I better off getting just the upper adjustable arms to reduce the drive shaft angle.....Please advise, thanks.

 

I plan on buying a new driveshaft. Can anyone explain to me exactly how the adjustable upper control arms fixes the problem? Does it correct the severe angle on the driveshaft? If so, how? Sorry for the ignorance, but I like to understand exactly what is going on with my Jeep. Thanks.

 

Yes, it adjusts your pinion angle, without adjustable arms, you would have driveline vibs with the U-joint driveshafts. Take a look at my photo album, it has pictures of the Je Reel shafts

Northridge4x4 also has JE Reel shafts.

 

Thanks, Piginajeep. That's a sweet Jeep you have. I plan on getting the JE Reel shaft. Do I have to replace both front and back, or can I get away with just the back (I don't do much wheeling). Also, how difficult is it to install and correctly adjust the adjustable rear UCA's? By the way, I didn't have any vibration at all with the stock driveshaft after the lift, it just gave out after 4,000 miles. . .

 

same thing happened to mine, no vibs, it just went!!


Depending on which arms you go with, Someone should have the correct measurements for the arms. If not, Eddie has a very good write up for this.


You should be Fine with the front, its very long, On the 2 door, the rear is the biggest problem