Hi all. I'm the proud new owner of a 2003 SE. I've been reading the forum, and quickly came to the realization that my front driveshaft should be rebuilt/replaced. I'm leaning toward replacement b/c I don't really want to drop my DS off at a shop and pay them to rebuild it (or do it myself). So, two questions, who offers replacement, greasable shafts besides Tom Woods? And, which one in your opinion is the best one to go with?

Thanks in advance,
Bryan

 

Personally I would just take the truck to a shop and have them rebuild it.

Great Basin Rovers sells driveshafts too.

 

just curious, why dont you want to drop it off and have it rebuilt? rebuilding it will be much cheaper than new. If you dont have a second vehicle I can see how it would be a problem since you cant drive the 03 without the front shaft.

 

When doing the ujoints on my D1 my dad was helping me and he noticed that the driveshaft is not actually a solid piece of metal. He told me that the driveshaft is similar to those used in submarines. (he works at lockheed martin)

The driveshaft is not a sold piece of metal, but is actually a spring. If looked at under a microscope it would be easier to notice.

This helps with driveshaft vibrations, making it almost never need to be balanced, and this will also increase durability. In the subs they actually bend the shaft so that when the engines spin the propellers it moves forward instead of turning the whole sub in place

This is on a D1, so i'm not sure if this quality carried over to the D2, but I'd stick with stock, as I doubt other companies do similar things

 

If your plan is to off road go with TW or GBR. If it's a grocery getter take it to a driveline shop and have it rebuilt. Tell them you only have one vehicle and they can do it in 1.5 hours while you wait. You'll pay half of what a TW or GBR d/s costs. Or look for an indy Rover shop and see if they stock re-built shaft's. Usually you just have to return your stock shaft and they'll get it rebuilt for the next customer. That's what I did. Eventually I'll get the TW when I go up to the 3" lift.

 

is there any reason besides cost to not go ahead and get the TW now?

 

not that I can think of, tom woods makes a great drive shaft

 

I went ahead and got a tom woods ds because it was beefy-er and would do the same again. Their customer service was excellent and they know what they are doing.

 

How much is a Tom Woods driveshaft or GBR driveshaft? I could not find a price on the sites. I would consider this as opposed to rebuilding mine tomorrow.

 

I believe I paid around $350.