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5TH GENERATION FORD RANGER REAR DRIVE SHAFT

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  • Regular price $729.00
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Ford Ranger Driveshaft for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. Only fits 4x4 Rangers with a shaft length less than 70 inches. 

We've heard from many people that their stock drive shaft vibrates and/or shudders, even in brand new un-lifted trucks. The problem gets worse when you lift the truck or change the suspension. The problem is in the two piece design. A two piece shaft is essentially two drive shafts, both have their own requirements for proper angles in order to run smoothly. Adjusting one affects the other and it can sometimes be next to impossible to find the right balance. The single piece shaft eliminates this complexity in favor of a simpler design. We have had very good results with these shafts, however, If you order one and it does not fix your vibration issues you can return it for a full refund within 30 days

Key product features:

  • Less complex design than the stock shaft. This means less things to cause problems, less things to wear out. In our opinion, the least complicated option is often the best option. This is the key part of the design that reduces the drive shaft shudder and vibrations that are common with the stock shafts. 
  • Built using 4" diameter, USA made, DOM tubing. The diameter, but also the quality, of tubing being used is meant to maximize the critical speed of the shaft. 
  • Extra long spline. The longer spline means more contact area between the spline and the slip yoke, about 2X more contact area than a conventional spline. This makes that part of the shaft much more stable and makes it run more smoothly at high speeds. Think of trying to hold onto one end of a stick with two hands instead of one while someone else is trying to wiggle the other end of the stick, that's the concept with the long spline. It costs us a lot more to use these upgraded parts but we think it's worth it. 
  • 1350 series universal joints. The 1350 series are a bigger, stronger joint than the 1330 series joints in the stock 2-peice shaft we have here as a sample. Bigger joints mean two things. 1. They have a higher breaking strength. 2. The can do the same job longer. Because they exceed the strength requirements of the vehicle they are less likely to fatigue and wear out over time. 
  • We use non-greaseable joints. Let's be honest, you didn't buy a brand new truck from the dealer with the intentions of doing a bunch of extra maintenance. Because of this, we made the shaft as maintenance free as possible. The joints are pre-greased sealed joints, similar to the stock shaft. There is a grease fitting on the slip yoke but it is very easy to access and can usually be greased by the technician when you get your oil changed. Just make sure to point it out to them. 

A couple important things to know about this shaft:

  • The reason the carrier bearing is there on the stock shaft is to hold and support the drive shaft. It is not there for ground clearance. It doesn't actually help ground clearance by much if any. Here's why the carrier bearing is there. Imagine your drive shaft is a big pvc pipe, the faster spins the more likely it is to start to flex and bow under its own centrifugal force. The same thing can happen with a steel drive shaft just not as dramatic. The carrier bearing is there to prevent this from happening. The RPM at which the drive shaft might start to flex is basically what we'd call the "critical speed" of the drive shaft. From a technical engineering perspective this is probably not 100% accurate but that's the general concept. Removing the carrier bearing and converting to a single piece shaft changes the critical speed of the shaft. Even though the the single piece shaft works great, it is not without limitations. Namely, critical speed. This can become a problem if the drive shaft is spinning exceptionally fast. How fast the drive shaft is spinning depends on 3 things, vehicle speed, tire diameter, and ring and pinion gear ratio. We have a calculator below you can use to calculate drive shaft RPM at various speed. If you have re-geared your ring and pinion and you live somewhere that has high speed limits your drive shaft RPMs may be too high for the single piece shaft. Increasing tube diameter increases the critical speed. The larger a shaft is in diameter the higher the critical speed, because a bigger diameter tube is more rigid. Because of this, we have decided to build these shafts using a 4" diameter tube. But there as still limitations as to how fast you can safely run the shaft. If you expect regular drive shaft speeds of above 4,000 rpm the stock carrier bearing style shaft is the type of shaft you should be running. These are already pushed limits!
  • There's going to be a spacer included with the shaft. The reason it needs a spacer is actually because of the centering pilot/hub on the transfer case output flange. The stock pilot is unusually long, too long for the Spicer flanges we are using. Just by a tiny amount but without the spacer the flange will not seat properly against the transfer case flange. Use the provided pilot spacer and bolts at the transfer case end of the shaft. As far as which end of the shaft you bolt to the transfer case, the slip yoke or the weld yoke, that doesn't matter, you can install it however looks best to you.  
  • This will not fit your truck if you have the "Tremor" package/version. 

We will need a length measurement, measure as shown in the photo on this page from flange to flange. This can be done with the stock shaft still installed. 

 

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Customer Reviews

Based on 36 reviews
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C
Cody
Fixed Ford's Failure

The center bearing was going out on my original 2019 rear driveshaft, so instead of paying someone else to install a brand new version of the same failed two-piece design, I decided to spend that same amount of money on TW's single piece shaft and install myself. It was built and shipped promptly and install seemed to be a breeze until I had one end attached to the transfer case and the other end was about an inch short of where I needed it to be. I measured 5 times before ordering and had it extended as far humanly possible, so I assumed it had been built short of my needed spec. This was 9:30 at night after taking off the old one, so was feeling pretty dejected at now being stranded with a new driveshaft I couldn't use. Called their office first thing next morning and they suggested the slip yoke could be vacuum locked. Hitched a ride to go and buy a grease gun (which was on my list to do anyway) and forced grease to get out any air that was in there. After doing this, was finally able to break it free and finish the install the next day. Highly suggest you have a loaded grease gun on hand during install in case this happens to you! I have a massive reduction in vibrations at highway speed where from 65-75 mph it would always rattle my poor passengers to death from the very first day I bought the truck. I'm now getting used to my new reality of no vibrations and no more grinding noise from the center bearing. Shifting is much smoother and it feels like I got a new transmission. Yes this single piece is a pretty penny, but why spend that same amount or more with a dealership of a company who will knowingly install another failed design? Give it to a small business who knows how to build it right

G
Greg's Auto
Very satisfied customer

Installed this driveshaft for a customer on a 2021 Ranger and the vibration was gone! Customer very satisfited.

R
Richard
Awesome drive shaft

This drive shaft is fantastic! I read forums for hours trying to make up my mind. Don't waste your time, just buy this.
My carrier bearing failed and started squealing at only 12k miles. Now I never have to worry about a carrier/center bearing again. I had noticed a vibration when accelerating before but I thought it was the engine rumble. It's gone now! It was the driveshaft! It's silky smooth acceleration now.
Like I said, just buy it, you will not be disappointed.

K
Konnor Randolph
Fixed my issues!

I was getting a vibration when taking off from a stop and it the single piece driveshaft completely solved it. Fords driveshaft design is awful. Install was super easy especially because I have done my Jeep in the past. The driveshaft itself is super nice and beefy. Don’t question yourself just get it!

D
David Shirley
Easy fix for known issue.

2020 Ranger Super Cab 4x4 with 3” front and 1.5” rear lift had significant shudder on take off. One piece driveshaft fixed it, took me about 45 minutes to change in the driveway. Easy peasy. Thanks TW.