Drive Shafts???

[TexasNomad]

Why are the drive shafts in both my 79 f150's different.
They both have v8s one is a BB other is a SB both have C6's, the truck with the 302 has a one piece drive shaft the other with the 460 has a two piece that is actually smaller in diameter then the other...
Why is this? wouldn't a two piece drive shaft be weaker then a single piece??

 

[Ridgerunner]

Why are the drive shafts in both my 79 f150's different.
They both have v8s one is a BB other is a SB both have C6's, the truck with the 302 has a one piece drive shaft the other with the 460 has a two piece that is actually smaller in diameter then the other...
Why is this? wouldn't a two piece drive shaft be weaker then a single piece??

Tex that is a question that may never be answered. I have my 74 F100 it has a 2 piece driveshaft system and Tony (Tanman) 78 F100 is a one piece driveshaft. I am thinking about trying a conversion if they are the same length.

 

[TexasNomad]

I"m trying to figure out how hard this 460 swap is going to be. I want to drop the 302 in the truck that the 460 is coming out of.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I"m trying to figure out how hard this 460 swap is going to be. I want to drop the 302 in the truck that the 460 is coming out of.

Tex it's not going to be hard. Just make sure you label everything you disconnect take pictures and take your time. It will alll switch over.

 

[Mil1ion]

There are so many different U-Joints for these trucks it baffles my mind

 

[Ridgerunner]

Why are the drive shafts in both my 79 f150's different.
They both have v8s one is a BB other is a SB both have C6's, the truck with the 302 has a one piece drive shaft the other with the 460 has a two piece that is actually smaller in diameter then the other...
Why is this? wouldn't a two piece drive shaft be weaker then a single piece??

Tex those 2 piece driveshaft are stronger than you think

 

[5.0]

Tex that is a question that may never be answered.

I've seen no pattern or reason why trucks got 1 or 2 piece shafts either.

All 2wd, reg cab, long bed...

79 F150 351M/C6 had a 1 piece
78 F150 302/3 speed manual had a 2 piece
76 F350 390/4 speed manual had a 2 piece

 

[Ridgerunner]

Tex you might be able to use the 1 piece driveshaft if they are the same length
as the 2 piece.

 

[Ranger429]

Why is this? wouldn't a two piece drive shaft be weaker then a single piece??

Actually the 2 piece shaft would be much stronger than the single shaft. Put that single shaft behind a 460 with some torque and it would be pretty easy to twist it.

If I was use I would use the 2 piece shaft with center support bearing for your swap.

 

[TexasNomad]

Actually the 2 piece shaft would be much stronger than the single shaft. Put that single shaft behind a 460 with some torque and it would be pretty easy to twist it.

If I was use I would use the 2 piece shaft with center support bearing for your swap.

Really.... I thought the U-joint would be a real weak point..
Hmm ok thanks Ranger for the info