Measuring Your Jeep Wrangler YJ Driveshafts

Measuring Your Jeep Wrangler YJ Driveshafts

Jeep YJ drive shaft lengths vary a bit and we want to make sure you get the right thing. That is why we require a length measurement before building the shaft. Measuring is simple and easy. You can read more about how to measure below.

YJ Front Drive Shafts

Measure for the length as shown. This can be done with or without the old shaft installed. 

 

Standard YJ Front Drive Shaft

If you have a non-selectable locking front differential and want the smoothest drive shaft, a CV type drive shaft is generally recommended.

Go to Standard YJ Front Drive Shaft product page

 

YJ Double Cardan Front Drive Shaft

Installing a CV drive shaft will require changing the front out-put yoke on the transfer case to one that is compatible with both the transfer case and the drive shaft. We sell this yoke as well. 

Go to Double Cardan YJ Front Drive Shaft product page

Shackle Reversal Spring Setups

If you have a shackle reversal system, it will almost always require using a drive shaft with a longer stroke in the slip yoke & spline stub. At a bare minimum, we would suggest using our XC slip yoke and spine stub. If the vehicle has a shackle reversal system in conjunction with revolver shackles or buggy springs, The XC slip yoke & spline stub may not have enough stroke.

With any shackle reversal setup, to ensure that we build a shaft that will do what is needed, we will require additional measurements. You will need to measure from yoke to yoke at normal ride height and measure from yoke to yoke under full suspension droop. To order this type of shaft you will need to call us. 

Below is an example of the Ultimate Travel drive shaft with either our U1 or U2 spline.

 

 

YJ Rear Drive Shaft Types

YJ Stock Type Rear Drive Shaft

OEM Type Drive Shaft

If your Jeep has little to no lift and you do not have a slip yoke eliminator kit, we can build a new stock type drive shaft for your Wrangler. If you have substantial lift and want the smoothest drive shaft, we suggest one of the Slip Yoke Eliminator (SYE) kits along with a double cardan (CV) drive shaft. 

Go to Stock YJ Rear Drive Shaft product page.

 

YJ Double Cardan Rear Shaft

This is the best type of rear shaft for any lifted YJ Wrangler. It corrects problems associated with increased drive shaft angles on lifted Jeeps. It will require that you install a slip yoke eliminator kit.

Go to YJ Double Cardan Rear Drive Shaft product page.

With this system there is no need for transfer case drop spacers. You will need to be sure to rotate your differential so the pinion points directly at the out-put of the transfer case to maintain minimal joint angle at the differential end. This is typically achieved by installing shims between the springs and spring perches. 

If you have questions about proper drive shaft angles or need help determining the correct amount of shim take a look at our angle measuring guide. Or you can give us a call.

 

Jeep YJ Rear Drive Shaft Length

If you want either the stock type or double cardan drive shafts, we will need a length measurement as shown below. 

If you are ordering online, are ordering the Advance Adapters SYE, and want to order the shaft at the same time: Add 1/4" to the measurement below. This way you can figure your drive shaft length without having the SYE installed. For example, if you measure 18" as shown in the photo below, add 1/4" and order a 18 1/4" drive shaft.

 

The S spline is a conventional spline stub that will yield a safe, effective and usable stroke of 3”. The X spline is longer than the S spline. The X spline is cut for the full length of the spline stub. This gives a bit more than twice the contact area between the slip yoke and spline stub and a stroke of 4-1/2". This in and of itself will net more than twice the life on these two components.

With the XB configuration, we will use a heavy rubber boot which is banded down with stainless steel banding to seal all of the contaminates out and keep the grease in. The XC configuration uses the same slip yoke & spline stub but instead of using the rubber boot, we drill and tap the slip yoke for a grease fitting and use a dust cap which has convolutions that follow the spline stub for sealing. The XB is best for wet and dirty conditions. The XC is best for rocks and extreme wheeling.