Here's a picture of why it's necessary to replace the front driveshaft first on lifted automatics. The skid plate had already been notched, but had been bent up by sliding over quite a few rocks. The fluting on the slip joint was damaged so badly that it wouldn't even slide anymore.

 

What did you get as a replacement? Though mine looks nothing like yours except for the ripped boot. This is one of my next mods.

 

I picked up a new-in-the-box, but second-hand JE Reel OEM replacement shaft on the for sale forum.

 

JE REEL is right around the corner from me. I'd be interested how you like it. Any vibrations?

 

What jeep did that come off of ?

 

I'll have to get back with you on that. The new one is actually sitting on the garage floor still. After doing the high-steer drag link and track bar bracket the other night, I didn't feel like putting the new driveshaft on.

Mine. Specs are below.

 

So it's not necessary to replace shafts on manuals?

 

I failed to state it in my first post, but the driveshaft was also grinding into the side of the transmission pan and housing. Because the manual transmission doesn't have a pan or the tranny skid, they don't seem to have the interferance that the autos do.

 

So what effect does a new drive shaft have? Are they thinner to prevent the rubbing damage?


Or do you have to modify the areas where contact occurs?


(Sorry... I haven't had the chance to get under my jeep yet... or ever have I had to replace something like this.)

 

you also running 37's on a 3" lift...