HELP!!! My dad recently bought a '86 GMC 1/2 shortbed pickup from a friend just because it was a good deal. The truck was a project truck that never got finished. We just want to get it running and sell it. We put a 350 in it and the person had a shortshaft th350 t5anny to put in it so we stuck that in along with the v8. We got the engine running and everything, so this weekend we were going to put the driveshaft in to finally get it on the road. To our suprise, the driveshaft is too short. The stock driveshaft will only work with a longshaft transmission. We didn't know what to do so we went a local junk yard and measured some driveshafts. The length of the original drive shaft that will work with a longshaft tranny is 57" from end to end...so we need one around 60" end to end. We could not find a thing that would come close. The big problem is that it is hard to find a shortbox truck because the longbox trucks have carrier bearings...ours does not. We don't know what to do know. Did chevy make any shortbox trucks with shortshaft transmissions? If we find the year/model of a shortbox truck that will have shortshaft transmission, then the driveline should work. Someone said a chevy van may have the right driveshaft. Do any of you have any idea of any chevy vehicle that will have a driveshaft around 60". This is the last piece of the puzzle to get this truck on the road so any advice will be very helpful. The only other option that we could think of is to find a longer driveshaft and then take it to a shop and have them shorten it...any ideas?
RE: Drive Line Problem You also could have one made for it,I've had them made for a few cars, and it's not that big of a deal. If you can find one that is too long and have it shortened that would work also.
RE: Drive Line Problem I guess that is what I am going to have to do, unless I can find one that will fit. Does anyone even know if any shortbox pickups were make with shortshaft transmission?
