Anyone who has a Tom Woods Driveshaft Installed

[oarsirhc]

Hello! Up next on my upgrade list is to install a 1 piece Tom Woods driveshaft. I've searched around the forums a bit but couldn't find anyone that had a step by step guide or video for removing the old driveshaft then installing the new. Is there a guide or video someone can point me to? Can I do this with the truck on the ground or will it need to be on jack stands? Also, any tips or tricks to help installation go smooth? You guys have been a lifesaver when it came to installing my leveling kit, so I figured I'd ask about this too. Thanks!

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[Lateknightucd]

Following as this is on my list for the next month or so!

 

[Colo_Ranger]

No video but it’s very easy. 4 bolts on the front and 4 on the rear. It’s easiest if you have someone who can put it in neutral so you can rotate the driveshaft to access all the bolts.

 

[Lateknightucd]

Thanks! And acceptable to do with the truck on the ground and wheel chocked/parking brake on?

 

[Colo_Ranger]

Thanks! And acceptable to do with the truck on the ground and wheel chocked/parking brake on?

Edit: You have to lift the rear to rotate the driveshaft.

Reason for edit: I had a moment... @TJC called me back to reality.

 

[TJC]

You can't turn the driveshaft with both of the back wheels on the ground. You can do the front with the back wheels on the ground, but the back end needs at least one wheel off the ground if you have an open diff (both if your locker is engaged). I had my truck on a lift just up off the ground.

Am I missing something?

 

[Colo_Ranger]

You can't turn the driveshaft with both of the back wheels on the ground. You can do the front with the back wheels on the ground, but the back end needs at least one wheel off the ground if you have an open diff (both if your locker is engaged). I had my truck on a lift just up off the ground.

Am I missing something?

Nope, you're not missing anything. Apparently, I don't remember how I installed the driveshaft... I swear I didn't lift the truck but now that you said that, maybe I'm forgetting the steps... like how women forget how painful child birth is.

 

[2021Ranger]

You also have an aluminum adapter plate at least mine did.

 

[TJC]

I forgot about that spacer! About 1/2" thick IIRC. The driveshaft is an easy swap. About as difficult as rear shocks.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Don’t forget the two bolts to drop the carrier bearing. Also make sure your differential has the four bolt flange. Tremors and some non Tremors that have had a driveshaft replaced under warranty have the 8 bolt Rzeppa joint that TW doesn’t offer a drive shaft for.

 

[Dereku]

Transmission in neutral allows the motion you need to line it up. As long as one end rotates you can get it in fine. Chocks and parking brake are all you need.

 

[TJC]

Transmission in neutral allows the motion you need to line it up. As long as one end rotates you can get it in fine. Chocks and parking brake are all you need.

It will only turn as far as the slop/play in the differential. Not a lot.

 

[Dereku]

It will only turn as far as the slop/play in the differential. Not a lot.

Not when you unbolt the driveshaft from the axle. Then you have freedom of movement. Rear end can stay on the ground as long as you can fit under the truck.

 

[TJC]

Not when you unbolt the driveshaft from the axle. Then you have freedom of movement. Rear end can stay on the ground as long as you can fit under the truck.

But to do that you need to turn the driveshaft (and the wheels) to get to the bolts!

 

[Dereku]

But to do that you need to turn the driveshaft (and the wheels) to get to the bolts!

I didn’t when I lubed the splines before winter. A ratchet and socket won’t fit but ratchet end wrenches do.

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