If you have a ball and trunion front u-joint it is a good idea to change to a roller cross like used in the back. The procedure is simple; with the driveling installed in the car in its normal configuration, measure from the front flange of the ball and truniion assembly to the middle of the cross secured in the yoke of the differential. Any good driveline shop can then replace the front end with a roller cross and will provide an flange and slip joint with splines that will bolt up to the existing flange on the rear of the transmission. The splined section will allow the front-to-back movement needed during installation and normal driving that the trunion used to provide. The two roller cross u-joints will probably not be the same part number, but will be stock items that most any parts store will carry. I think the length of the drive shaft for my '63 Valiant 4-door with auto trans was 55-1/4" long. Also, be sure to have the driveshaft balanced. Some shops do that as part of the conversion and some don't unless you ask.

carwinzeam@worldnet.att.net

Carl, that's on my list of upcoming changes. Can you give us a ballpark figure on the cost?



lancer_41@excite.com

I had a stub shaft built using the output shaft from a donor automatic tranny. Then I had the donar cars driveshaft shortened to match. I believe the cost to build the stub shaft and shorten, balanced driveshaft was in the neighborhood of $150US.


ahtoews@shaw.ca

i had a similar shaft made up for my '63 dart conv. a local driveline shop in wilmington, nc did the work which consisted of a slip spline/yoke from a jeep(?) front driveshaft welded to the shaft and a new companion flange bolted to the output shaft of the transmission (similar to a rear axle flange.) total cost parts labor and balancing was the best 180 bucks i had ever spent up to that point.
an added bonus was that they had done a bunch of these so i didn't feel like a guinea pig!

-james

ludite13@cs.com

I had a conversion to the cross & roller setup done locally in Auburn, CA for $200.

Chuck

webmaster@omnipages.com