Re: Drivelines

[tsm1@domain.elided (Tom Mandera)]

>I recently checked at 2 locally respected driveline shops here in San Diego
>and was quoted almost double the price that Six States Distributors sold to

>Tony Sobrito

Tony,

It's not just you, nor your neck of the woods.  I dropped by my very
respected local drive line shop (they replaced the U-joints on my '72 last
winter), to inquire about some new drivelines after I install my lift, and
they were insanely high (compared to Gloeco, Six States, etc.)

I was quoted $45 for a CV yoke on the t'case (which, AFAIK, is about right),
and something on the order of $150 to have my current lines modified for the
CV and/or lengthened.

OTOH, they would sell me a brand new CV front driveline for $260 (plus the
$45 Transfer case YOKE)

I called Gloeco, and they said $180 ($185?) for a brand new cut to fit CV on
one end front drive shaft.

Comparable?  NOT.

I've *heard* I can re-use the stock rear driveline with a spring over, but
I'm not too sure how long I'll try it.  I plan to replace the U-joints
annually with such an angle, but I'll try the stock shaft first, and if it's
too short (or no slip movement left) I'll have it lengthened LOCALLY, but
the front will be getting a new Gloeco 'shaft (NOT the 15" travel unit,
either, since they stated the 15" slip joint is a high-wear item, generally
not suited to daily drivers).

I'll continue to use the local shop for the "small" things like
lengthening/shortening, new joints, etc.  But if it's major driveline work
(lengthen/shorten, new joints, maybe a CV) I think I'll go with Gloeco, Six
States, or whomever.  Their NEW units are just a tad more than a locally
modified stock shaft, and MUCH less than a new shaft built locally.

-Tom Mandera, Helena MT
http://www.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout
'72 and '77 Scout IIs