Switch To Driveshaft With 1350 U-Joints

[GlennSullivan]

My 95 and 98 cars have FRPP Aluminum driveshafts which come with 1330 U Joints and mate up to the stock 1330 Pinion flange, just like the stock driveshaft.

I've been tearing up the FRPP shaft on the Red car (one every 2 years) and want to go to an aftermarket drag race shaft like Strange or Mark Williams. I would like to get a shaft with 1350 U Joints.

Here are the questions:

1) In order to switch to the 1350 U Joints I believe I will need to change the Pinion Flange on the rear end to a 1350 flange - such as a FRPP M-4851B. Is that so??

2) If so, can I just remove the flange and install the replacement without having to pull the rear apart and reshim everything - which I have never done before.

[rel3rd]

Glenn,

do you know if rear was put together with a "crush sleeve" or a "solid spacer & shims" on the pinion?

If spacer & shims, just crank it (the nut) back on with an airgun.

If a crush sleeve, I usually use RED Loc-Tite and just use a ratchet to tighten nut so that pre-load doesn't change.

If you do not know for sure, go with the crush sleeve method above.

I also put a small bead of RTV under nut to prevent any gear oil seapage.
Replacing seal is never a bad idea either.

[GlennSullivan]

Bob

I do not know as it was not I who installed the gears, I do know they were Ford Racing gears installed by Mustang Magic on Long Island. Is there any way to tell between the Crush sleeve or Shim method? Can the seal be pulled from the front?

BTW nice time on the Camaro

[RadialX]

my guess is that its got a crush sleeve, but thats no biggy, just do like Bob said.

what I would do is get the 1350 pinion flange, you can get them from most rear end suppliers, the FRRP is more than likely going to be more expensive, you should be able to get a nice one for 125-140 bux. install it in the car, then with whoever DS manufacturer you go with use there measuring and order page to get the exact measurements for them so that your new shaft will be dead on perfect length and fit. Most you can get with the correct trans yoke also with the DS.

[rel3rd]

Can the seal be pulled from the front?


Yessir. The only thing stopping it from coming out is the flange, which you'll be removing. Some people don't replace them if they aren't leaking already, but most try to do it as a simple preventive maintenance thing since you're right there.

[GlennSullivan]

Thanks Bob and Spence