Lifted truck with driveline shake/shudder

[AlbertaStroker]

Hey all just want to let those that are experiencing driveline shake or shudder on their trucks that I have found the issue. Or at least for me.

My truck has a SkyJacker 6" 4link lift with the rear blocks not leaf springs. The truck had a steady driveline vibration at highway speeds since new but was a bit worse once I installed the lift. Ford refused to figure out what the vibration was because " I have a modified vehicle". So I finally took my truck into a driveline shop. They pulled the driveshaft out and put it on the balancer. And who would of thought. But the shaft was out of balance from factory. It was out .8 ounce on the tranny side and .2oz diff side. They managed to get it down to .2 oz out on both ends. This has helped get rid of about 70% of the shake.

So I talked to the driveline tech that worked on my truck and asked for opinions on how to get rid of the rest of the shake. He told me that because of the lift the slip yoke has pulled out 1-1/4" 1-1/2" over factory height. So I've ordered SkyJackers driveshaft spacer kit that comes with the 6" 4link lift with the rear leaf spring option. And I'm hoping that will cure the rest of the shake.

He also told me that a 2 piece driveshaft with a center carrier bearing would help ( I think the F-250s have 2 piece driveshafts??) and also that the 1 piece aluminum driveshafts on the F-350s are 4.5" in diameter. Which is small in his mind. Also the equivalent 1piece driveshaft on a GMC or Dodge is 5"-6" in diameter helping stop any up/down side/side movement of the shaft.

I'm curious as to why ford went with a smaller diameter shaft. And I'm also curious if I can swap in a 2-piece driveshaft to help with the shake.

I'll let you guys know of any progress I make.
Also any comments or ideas are welcome..

[SouthernF250]

I am having the same problem with my 2011. It's a 2011 F250 with about 5000 miles. Took it to local driveline shop and it was out of balance. I put the Skyjacker spacer in and it has not helped. Before all this I took it into the dealer (not where I purchased it from) and they said that the u-joint angle at the transfer case is casuing the problem. The rebalnced shaft has helped but only a little.

Do I need to go to a two piece driveshaft of what other ways can I correct the u-joint angle????

Let me know if anyone has had this problem and a fix for it.....I'm sure AlbertaStroker and myself would be greatful.

[AlbertaStroker]

A two piece shaft is the only way to correct the angle at the transfer case. From what I've been told anyways. Southern did the spacer help the slip yoke at all by putting it back to near factory length??

[SouthernF250]

Yes it did help it get back to where it was from the factory. But as far as shake and vibration and angle........na da. Can you take a picture of your driveshaft on the truck? Mine angle does not look bad at all, compaired to other 4x4 I have owned.

[SouthernF250]

Go to Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts - Tom Woods Custom Drive Shafts Custom Driveshafts Specialist Tom Woods Driveshafts

Look at the right side under "specialty driveshafts" and click on "Double Cardon Conversion".

The second picture is a Reverse slip type, it looks like the one piece that is on my F250 and I'm sure it looks like the one on your truck. I'm going to call them on Monday and see if I can get a one piece just like the picture for my Ford. I will let you know late Monday as to what they say and how much.

This looks like it will be a perfect correction from our current shaft.

[SouthernF250]

Spoke with the guys at Tom Woods and they could make a driveshaft BUT after counting the number of teeth on the output shaft of the transfer case they said NO. Unless I'm not counting right I have 34 teeth and the standard in 30-32. Still looking for other ideas or solutions.

[mysticblu999]

I'm having the same thing going on with mine. Anymore info, Its getting worse and driving me nuts

[AlbertaStroker]

Mystic have you had your driveshaft pulled out and balanced? Might help. As of now I haven't found a fix for the transmission u-joint being at to high of an angle. Also got laid off. So cash is tight right now. Just living with the minor shake I have now.

[matty21]

Are they tapered blocks. I switched to ouo tapered blocks on my 08 just before I got rid of it and it helped driveline angle. I

[AlbertaStroker]

They are tapered. I'm .4 degree at differential. And 5.6 degree at transfer case. Need to be under 3 at transfer case. Factory specs