Adams drive shaft - required?

[rfg9585]

Ordered a teraflex 3.5" spring lift with shocks, front track bar. Should I also install the front adams drive shaft or will it more than likey be OK for a few 10k miles? Thoughts? Are there better\other options besides an adams?

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[word302]

Ordered a teraflex 3.5" spring lift with shocks, front track bar. Should I also install the front adams drive shaft or will it more than likey be OK for a few 10k miles? Thoughts? Are there better\other options besides an adams?

Adams is about as good as it gets. Your front shock extended length determines whether or not the front shaft needs to be replaced. If your shocks aren’t too long or you don’t intend to really flex it out you’ll be fine for now.

 

[rfg9585]

I do some rock crawling\trails. but not an avid every weekend kind a stuff. Maybe we go every month or so and a big ride or 2 in the deserts\mountains\etc maybe 2x a yr.

How do you know what's "too long"

 

[DewHawk]

I’d be cautious about running the stock driveshaft for ‘a few 10k miles’ unless you’re planning on running around in 2H that whole time. You should be fine in that case. If you plan on actually using your jeep though, I’d start budgeting now.

The angle of the rzeppa joint vs the shaft at the transfer case is definitely something you don’t wanna push to it’s limits for long. The pinion angle on the axle isn’t gonna be happy either.

Seriously, just get it replaced in a reasonable amount of time and don’t second guess it. This is definitely not something you wanna screw with and potentially cause catastrophic damage with.

 

[rfg9585]

Sounds like a plan! Anyone see any good sales this week for the shaft? Or just hit site directly for $50 off.....

updated..... ORDERED 1350 version.....

 

[beast40]

Yes you want a new front shaft. The factory design does not work with 3"+ lifts. The cup on the output shaft will bend. Mine bent after its first trip on the beach. I'm glad I replaced it then and not on a real off-road trail.

 

[GATORB8]

Shock length over 29" extended in front is RK's recommended trigger for an aftermarket Double Cardon driveshaft.

Check out Oliver's Driveshaft in Winston Salem. That's what I run based on a referral from @chevymitchell. I went 1310 and they were the best value I could find for custom length, plus they're relatively local.

 

[Tncdrew]

Yes you want a new front shaft. The factory design does not work with 3"+ lifts. The cup on the output shaft will bend. Mine bent after its first trip on the beach. I'm glad I replaced it then and not on a real off-road trail.

Right there's your justification ?

 

[rfg9585]

Shock length over 29" extended in front is RK's recommended trigger for an aftermarket Double Cardon driveshaft.

Check out Oliver's Driveshaft in Winston Salem. That's what I run based on a referral from @chevymitchell. I went 1310 and they were the best value I could find for custom length, plus they're relatively local.

Thanks for the local contact! Already ordered Adam's, but maybe next round.....

 

[word302]

Yes you want a new front shaft. The factory design does not work with 3"+ lifts. The cup on the output shaft will bend. Mine bent after its first trip on the beach. I'm glad I replaced it then and not on a real off-road trail.

Again, it is not the lift height, but the shock extended length that determines whether or not you need to change out the ds.

 

[failsafe306]

Again, it is not the lift height, but the shock extended length that determines whether or not you need to change out the ds.

How do you explain the DS damage then? Do you know for a fact he’s running 30” shocks on his Clayton 3.5” lift? Even if he is, I doubt he got that much flex at the beach…

 

[GATORB8]

How do you explain the DS damage then? Do you know for a fact he’s running 30” shocks on his Clayton 3.5” lift? Even if he is, I doubt he got that much flex at the beach…

If he was doing that at ride height, it'd be way more fucked up.

 

[word302]

How do you explain the DS damage then? Do you know for a fact he’s running 30” shocks on his Clayton 3.5” lift? Even if he is, I doubt he got that much flex at the beach…

I’ve lifted 6 JLs now. I guess I’ll call it a hunch. Have you cycled the suspension on these things?

 

[beast40]

Again, it is not the lift height, but the shock extended length that determines whether or not you need to change out the ds.

It’s both. The height puts the drive shaft close to the cup at ride height. Any additional downward droop forces contact and it bends. The lift progresses the issue via DS angle.

Droop from shock length could accomplish the same thing at any lift height.

 

[word302]

It’s both. The height puts the drive shaft close to the cup at ride height. Any additional downward droop forces contact and it bends. The lift progresses the issue via DS angle.

Droop from shock length could accomplish the same thing at any lift height.

No, it's not. Even at full droop hanging on a lift with 29" shocks the cup won't come into contact with the shaft. I'm not making this up.

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