Driveshaft

Hello, I am looking to replace my driveshaft due to miles, age and having a vibration. I am not sure if I want to replace with another 2 piece driveshaft or just switch to a 1 piece. Right now I am leaning towards a 1 piece. Any suggestions?

https://4xshaft.com/products/toyota-tacoma-rear-drive-shaft

 

You just linked to a Tacoma 1pc driveshaft ...

 

Yeah, I emailed the company and the guy said that basically that is the driveshaft they would build for a 1st gen access cab tundra.

 

And are you positive your vibration is due to the driveshaft being bad and/or out of balance? Or is it possible you lifted/leveled without shimming, your u-joints or carrier bearing may be on the way out, you've never lubed your driveline (if 4WD zerked), or your tires could be cupping?

What are you looking to gain by going with a 1pc? Are you aware of the advantages of having a 2pc driveshaft, which you'll lose going to 1pc?

 

No lift and brand new tires. Fittings greased regularly. Just asking if anyone has and the pros and cons.

 

Not gonna type all that.

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/6800/1-piece-versus-2-piece-drive-shaft

Read up, buttercup.

 

If fixing the vibration is your main objective, I'd check the carrier bearing first, and then next I'd take the driveshaft to a driveshaft specialty shop to have them check and balance it. That will probably save you quite a bit over having to buy a new one (1- or 2-piece). If you still want a one piece, the same shop should be able to make some solid recommendations.

 

The carrier bearing is brand new. The driveshaft is just worn out and would need to be rebuilt. I have talked to two places and they both have said they do not rebuild toyota driveshafts because the parts are oddball and hard to get. In the end with parts and labor it would cost almost as much as a new one. The debate I am having is whether it would be better to replace with a brand new one piece and eliminate the carrier bearing or go with an oem type setup. I have replaced the carrier bearing (spicer brand) several times in the 15 years I have owned the truck. I have read older posts where people have replaced their driveshafts with a 1 piece (on tundras and tacomas) and loved them...and others that didn't, but like I said the posts are old.

 

I changed the carrier bearing, then the front and rear u-joints trying to solve my vibration problem. Then I had it all balanced. No luck. I was considering replacing the entire shaft (no parts available for the double cardan joint), but it turned out that the vibration was the front hub bearing.

The moral of the story is don't just throw parts at the problem. I would have been out ~ $600 for the new shaft...and still had a vibration!

 

I understand. I would rather not have to spend the money especially due to the age of the truck, but it is in good shape. I know the driveshaft is bad. I have had it out and there is play in the double cardan joint and the other ujoints are in bad shape too. As you said I can replace the ujoints at both ends but I will still have a bad cardan joint that I can't get parts for.