I need a decent driveshaft for a '68 Bird, with a TH400 and 12-bolt rear end. So far, one of the best prices I've found is a custom Strange shaft, thru Summit, for about $250, without a yoke.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/str-u1699/overview/

A good stock shaft is all I need. rather not spend $300 + for one. SO, where can I buy a decent quality shaft, with yoke, for less than $300, shipped ?

Thanks !

Let me check with my friend...I had a few made up with the conversion joint and yoke for $300. The driveshaft was $225...the conversion joint and yoke raised the price to 300.

You don't have a custom driveshaft shop down there?

As well...check Craigslist or Ebay..

is there a difference between 67 and 68? ,... I'm pretty sure I have the original one out of my 67 in my parts pile...

PM sent.

No, the nearest driveshaft shop is 50 miles away. A local welding shop will shorten a shaft, but no balancing. They did this on my 1st Bird, to work with a long tail TH400. Worked great--won lots of races with it.

The best price I've found, so far, is $200 + $25 shipping--less yoke, on Ebay. I have a good yoke, so all I need is the shaft, with the correct U-joints.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Built-Dri...725.m3641.l6368

And this site says that they will not be beat on quality or price. So, I just Emailed them see if they will sell for $200 shipped. Hey, can't hurt to ask. I reckin the worst thing they could do is say no and maybe cuss me out for asking. ???

http://www.hudlowaxle.com/services/driveshafts/

I have one that was behind my Muncie, should have the same diameter and 27 spline yoke. If the yoke is not the correct length you could swap yours onto it. You can have it just pay shipping although that may be a bit.

Yeah, I appreciate the thought. But the shipping would kill that deal. Thanks anyhow !

I'm interested. I need a original one for my original 68 400 4 speed

What's your guess on shipping?

Thanks

Gordy

Oldskool, where in Louisiana are you? I'm going to a meeting in a few weeks with a bunch of guys from down your way. Maybe we can make something work??

North central---71251

Oldskool, I work with a guy who lives 45 min South of you. He drives through your town often. I will be meeting him next week. Any chance you could drop the drive shaft off in town for him to pickup somewhere? I sent you a PM or give me a call.

763.258.6749
Thanks
Gordy

I'm sorry, maybe I'm just confused, but I don't have a driveshaft for sale. I need a driveshaft that will fit my car. I have a shaft that is too short for anything except a Ventura 2, with a long tail TH400. Or, it could be shortened slightly, and used in a 1st gen Bird, with a long tail TH400.

So, am I missing something ?

WOW ! I just got a shock. I decided to call Consolidated Truck Parts and get a quote. Their balancer isn't working right now. But they will put my ends onto a new tube for between $225 & $250.

So that means I could buy a Strange, balanced chromoly shaft, with joints, thru Summit for about the same price as getting my shaft re-tubed at the Truck place.

That's a no brainer.

Sorry, my bad. Looks like Bluebird428 has what I need.

OK, the latest, best lookin deal, is to use my slip yoke and a pre-fab PST, balanced & painted shaft, which includes 1310 U-joints. These shafts are available in lots of lengths, and cost around $150. I think my slip yoke will require a 1310/1330 conversion joint, but even with that, I should be able to rig up a good shaft for less than $200. I can live with that.

http://www.carid.com/pst/steel-driveshaft-48-long-3-diameter-mpn-310480.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PST-310480-Steel-Driveshaft-48-Long-3-OD-/301869420110?hash=item4648d1ce4e:g:J1IAAOSwKtVWvc4P&vxp=mtr&rmvSB=true

http://autoplicity.com/1808798-precision...IrtfBoC-n_w_wcB

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Shaft-Te...ologies++310480

I had a custom length driveshaft built around 8 years ago with new yokes for $125. I had swapped rear end to an 8.5" and needed a new drive shaft. The place I used was Elkhorn Driveshaft Co. in Elkhorn Wisconsin (local to me) - Great guy and very knowledgeable.

There was a technique he told me to use to measure for the correct length of the driveshaft. It was using a string from the end of the trans (in my case a muncie) and to the center point of the pinion while the suspension was unloaded (if I recall correctly - a little foggy as it was some time ago). Then measure the string while laying on the ground with a tape measure.

He looked at my old one, and said by the time you shorten it, and try to balance it (if it even balances) I was better off building a new one. He was right. Mine had a couple of dents in it.

You are correct about the custom price being about the same as the cost of shortening the original one.
I had mine shortened with new u-joints and balance at a local shop and the cost was $100.00.
It did come back with new paint and looked beautiful. The shop told me exactly how they wanted me to measure and the fit is perfect.