Twisted rear driveshaft
 

I have a 77 ford 1/2 ton ranger with 400 under the hood. Just the other day i went to pull a trailer with a bobcat on it. (done it before with no problem) and it twisted the rear driveshaft. 2 piece section where it connects to the transfer case. Problem is i cant find anywhere a replacement part. I had to put it in 4x4 and limp it home lucky i was within a mile from my house. Does anyone know where i can find one? I have included a picture of what it looks like now along with tape measurement. Thanks.

A good machine shop that does auto and truck work will be able to take your flanges from your old shaft and make a new one for you. You will just need to give them the dimensions from end to end measured at the truck.

You can have them made at Tom Wood's, Denny's Driveshafts, etc. Just do a Google search for "custom drive shafts" and let the fun begin.

Cool thanks alot. You guys are a big help!!

Just so you know, a lot of the custom places make the drive shafts a great deal stronger than the OEM ones, so you shouldn'e be twisting them off like that so easily next time.

Hey Guys,
Something to keep in mind,
They make the driveshaft so it is the weakest link because if it didn't wring out, picture the trans split or the differential stripped and so on.
Just a reminder, since I've replaced many driveshafts destroyed by zealous drivers , its the cheapest part to replace instead of the trans or rear. What are your thoughts on this?

Agreed, but he is talking in another thread about beefing up the 400 he has under the hood. If you plan to put some abuse to it, it doesn't hurt for it to be a bit stronger. In that case you would most likely break the yoke or the u-joint. Like you said though, you would rather a drive shaft or u-joint go than a tranny.

I guess you can try to get all you can from a 1/2 ton , but after all it is only a 1/2 ton.

Yeah i would rather bust a driveline or u-joint then blow up my tranny or transfer case or even bust up an axel. I do plan on getting more HP and Torque from her. I was kinda shocked that the driveline went and not the U-joint. I have located a place near buy to make me a custom one. Since its 2 piece i will save up to get the rear and the front drivelines done. I do alot of off-roading. Thanks guys much appreciated

True its a 1/2 ton. but i have seen 1/2 tons do things that even a 3/4 or 1 ton cant do. Its not what you buy its what you can build is my motto :)