Rear drive shaft recommendations??
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Ellington, CT
Rear drive shaft recommendations??
I have an 08 2 door with Rusteys 3.25 lift auto trans and I've been nosing around and I think it is time to replace the rear drive shaft... Grease splatter on t case end with the stock shaft... I read about the Reel shafts and the Woods shafts and I am wondering your thoughts on replacing the stock yokes such as with the Woods shafts or keeping the stock yokes as with the bolt on kind like the Reels.. ( I am believe I am reading the descriptions correctly on the two types anyway If I have not I apologize in advance) Any input on brands and your experiences would be greatly appreciated!
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Fort Rucker
Just changed out the rear shaft on my 2 door a few days ago. I ended up going with a J.E Reel from Northridge. Overall the installation was pretty simple and took me and a buddy 4 hours along with rear upper control arms to set the pinion angle. So far everything is fine....no vibrations or any other problems.
From what I have read on this site you really cant go wrong with Tom Woods, J.E Reel or Coast. A few guys are running Tatton shafts which are supposed to be really nice as well. Its really just preference. Coast uses Spicer Joints and J. E Reel uses Neapco. Either way you go I would recommend using yokes on both ends.
From what I have read on this site you really cant go wrong with Tom Woods, J.E Reel or Coast. A few guys are running Tatton shafts which are supposed to be really nice as well. Its really just preference. Coast uses Spicer Joints and J. E Reel uses Neapco. Either way you go I would recommend using yokes on both ends.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Job's in Kansas, Heart's in Colorado
Just changed out the rear shaft on my 2 door a few days ago. I ended up going with a J.E Reel from Northridge. Overall the installation was pretty simple and took me and a buddy 4 hours along with rear upper control arms to set the pinion angle. So far everything is fine....no vibrations or any other problems.
From what I have read on this site you really cant go wrong with Tom Woods, J.E Reel or Coast. A few guys are running Tatton shafts which are supposed to be really nice as well. Its really just preference. Coast uses Spicer Joints and J. E Reel uses Neapco. Either way you go I would recommend using yokes on both ends.
From what I have read on this site you really cant go wrong with Tom Woods, J.E Reel or Coast. A few guys are running Tatton shafts which are supposed to be really nice as well. Its really just preference. Coast uses Spicer Joints and J. E Reel uses Neapco. Either way you go I would recommend using yokes on both ends.
I am doing a rear JK drive shaft install later this week and Nate's answer nicely sums up all I have read on this forum.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Murrieta, CA
I have an 08 2 door with Rusteys 3.25 lift auto trans and I've been nosing around and I think it is time to replace the rear drive shaft... Grease splatter on t case end with the stock shaft... I read about the Reel shafts and the Woods shafts and I am wondering your thoughts on replacing the stock yokes such as with the Woods shafts or keeping the stock yokes as with the bolt on kind like the Reels.. ( I am believe I am reading the descriptions correctly on the two types anyway If I have not I apologize in advance) Any input on brands and your experiences would be greatly appreciated!