Ok, as many of the unlimited owners know, going over 4 inches of lift is bad for the driveshaft and normally requires replacement. The reason being the boot will hit the tranny pan or the skid plate and tear ultimatly failinig in the end.

So why not just flip the driveshaft 180* so the boot is by the axle side? both sides are flanged and it looks to be clear from obstructions.?

Now we can discuss.

 

Is this happening on the front or rear on the 4 doors? I have a 2 door and noticed that my front drive shaft boot clamp touched. Nothing torn yet, but....

corey d

 

It happens on the front of the 4 door.

I am interesting in what people think of flipping the driveshaft around as well. Maybe the "bend" will happen too late and the driveshaft will hit the skid plate?

 

in order to do this, you would need to swap out your flanges as well. the pinion flange would need to get installed on the output shaft and vice versa and this cannot be done.

 

They included 4 washers ( 2 per side) to install under the skid plate in the front 2 bolts to give it extra room with the drive shaft so it would not make contact. Any one else done this ? I do not think mine will make contact with this set up ... we will see.

 

If you take off your front Auto Trans skid plate, you will notice that the factory has cut out a perfect little spot for the drive shaft... only problem is they cut it out on the WRONG SIDE!! so if you grind out a new spot in the correct location, you will be good to go with stock shaft and 4" lift. I've done it and i'm not rubbing at all anymore. I couldn't even get the lift on with the Auto skid plate connected, so after i took it off is when i noticed the cutout in the wrong spot.

hope that helps.

 

the problem is not just the skid plate but rather, the drive shaft boot will hit the transmission itself. specifically, right where the sump pan is attached and this is ultimately what tears the boot.

 

my boot did not even tear on my front drive shaft on my 4 door but was at so much of an angle it was hitting the metal collar piece and was causing the grease inside to puke all over the bottom of the jeep. I just got a replacement from Dave at Northern i will be putting it on later.

and im only @ 3" i could see it at 4 def rubbing ,

 

did not know that... I don't think I even looked up there that far... i'll check mine today, thanks for the tip!

 

Yep. No problem with me hitting the skid plate. It was the transmission pan. When one wheel drops, that side shifts over slightly and contacts the transmission. Its awful close.