I use a D2 front driveshaft on my lifted D1. The one I have was built by a local big truck shop with Spicer components. The U joints are greaseable and they're still good, but the centering ball and socket are shot. I would just take it back to them to rebuild but it's an hour drive each way so I thought I'd look into buying one outright.

My typical parts suppliers like Rovers North and Atlantic British stock them for ~$500. But I also see some for sale elsewhere for much less, even $150. I've had a front shaft fail and take out both the transmission (valve body) and the transfer case, so I'm not inclined to be cheap. The one I had break had the big-*** Spicer H-block from GBR. The one I'm running most recently is the same size as the stock D2 shaft. I'm all-in on this Rover, wheeling it for 10 years now. If I have to pay ~$500 to get good components, I'll just get mine rebuilt. But what about the Lucky8 driveshaft? They want $158 shipped on Amazon for it. Is it any good?

And what's up with the nuts? Why is there a special tool? I think I know why, because I destroyed a nut removing it. But what is it that makes these nuts suck and need a special tool to keep from rounding the corners? Why can't I just put good grade 8 nuts on there? I really don't want to be frustrated by this because pulling the driveshaft can be necessary in the field and this last time it took me too long to screw around with one nut. Do I need this driveshaft nut tool? or just non-crap nuts?

 

I use the lucky 8 one in my stock D2, seems to work fine. It was about $200 a few years ago.

 

I have a Lucky8 driveshaft, but I haven't put it any great tests so I can't speak to its longevity. Others do say that it holds up pretty well.
The nut tool is just because they can be a bit of a pain to get to. Nothing special about the nuts themselves. I've never had one, and I've taken both shafts off multiple times off multiple trucks.

 

$158 shipped on Amazon for it. Is it any good? Thats the one I bought this summer, seems like a high quality part,
time will tell but the price was right!

 

I have the Lucky 8 part as well, so far so good but I will be the first to admit that my truck hasn't seen any harsh trail conditions. I for the life of me could not get the nuts off of the original driveshaft (with 165k on it) so I ended up paying a shop to swap it out.

 

I bought the most expensive one (won't name names) and although I'm sure it's strong as an ox, the damn thing vibrates and annoys the ever living crap out of me. I swapped back in the 103K mile stocker, and it's smooth as silk.

My point is, I'd just get the standard driveshaft.

So annoying.

 

I just installed the Lucky 8 front driveshaft a week ago. It works great with my 2 inch lift.

 

Recently installed the lucky8 Tom Woods. No vibration and had emailed a question and Shawn Woods replied. Pretty good support !

 

I just ordered the front driveshaft from Lucky8 for my 02' Disco (just got shipped yesterday)... well, actually I ordered from Amazon (it's the same exact item from their own website), but for $30 cheaper (I paid $158 SHIPPED on Amazon). I was a little confused, but found out they sell on Amazon under the "Proper Spec" name. Also found out that the Amazon pricing is fluid as it's based off of many predetermined factors that have been setup (including other sellers' pricing).

 

my Lucky8 shaft lasted less than 8k miles and failed on a cross country trip yesterday. Caught it before it blew up but I would not recommend that driveshaft. The extra coin for a Tom woods is well spent as I've had zero issues with that in my other disco and that truck sees a lot of trail time and overall abuse.