One Piece Driveshaft

[Big Blue]

I agree the fix is possibly a bandaid, but when the manufacturer ignores the issue people have a choice: find a fix themselves, live with it, or sell the vehicle. My quote didn't call it a major issue but a serious issue. I would stand by that characterization because a spinning shaft with heavy vibration will ultimately fail at one of it's weak points, likely the bearings. I am fine if people believe the fix is not good, but back that up with more than insults.

I am sorry I used the word "major" instead of your choice of "serious", my bad. But, I stand by my questioning whether it is a "design problem", a term you did use. I agree there is an issue with SOME trucks. What that issue is nobody apparently knows. I did not make any comment on Fords handling of the issue, or lack there of. I have never said that anyone should not put the one-piece shaft on their truck, if it solves their issue, just be aware of the possible issues/dangers. There has not been to my knowlege any statistics stated anywhere as to what percentage of Rangers have this issue.

Lastly, I do not believe I have insulted anyone with my posts here.

Sponsored

 

[Bsthroop]

I am sorry I used the word "major" instead of your choice of "serious", my bad. But, I stand by my questioning whether it is a "design problem", a term you did use. I agree there is an issue with SOME trucks. What that issue is nobody apparently knows. I did not make any comment on Fords handling of the issue, or lack there of. I have never said that anyone should not put the one-piece shaft on their truck, if it solves their issue, just be aware of the possible issues/dangers. There has not been to my knowlege any statistics stated anywhere as to what percentage of Rangers have this issue.

Lastly, I do not believe I have insulted anyone with my posts here.

No you have not insulted anyone, sorry if it appeared I was referring to you.

 

[Friday yet?]

I'll add one generic bit of info to this thread.

The Class 8 truck industry has been fighting drive line vibrations, distortions, aggravation, etc. and so on for a number of years now. And it became much more of a problem as engine advancements dropped the cruising RPM's to unheard of levels for heavy diesel engines.

So I can't help but wonder, 10 speed transmissions in the Rangers, and you guys are talking some rather low RPM's at highway speeds. Is this related to the heavy truck issues. Same physics? I don't know. I'm a beer and wings guy, NOT an engineer.

Just thinking out loud. And will readily admit that it scares my wife when I do that.

 

[navsnipe]

I'll add one generic bit of info to this thread.

The Class 8 truck industry has been fighting drive line vibrations, distortions, aggravation, etc. and so on for a number of years now. And it became much more of a problem as engine advancements dropped the cruising RPM's to unheard of levels for heavy diesel engines.

So I can't help but wonder, 10 speed transmissions in the Rangers, and you guys are talking some rather low RPM's at highway speeds. Is this related to the heavy truck issues. Same physics? I don't know. I'm a beer and wings guy, NOT an engineer.

Just thinking out loud. And will readily admit that it scares my wife when I do that.

The Ranger at 55 mph in 10th gear will run at somewhere around 1400-1500 rpm on the engine if my memory is correct.

 

[Bsthroop]

• Regarding the quotes about fools and suckers, I prefer this quote: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
• About the assertion that this isn't a major issue because it doesn't affect every truck. You are missing the point. It is a major issue to those whom it does affect. And there appears to be a large number of people who do have the problem. Maybe not a majority but a large enough group of people to spawn the creation of many many forum threads about the issue.
• About it being a Band-Aid. I'd consider something like lowering the carrier bearing, adjusting the pinion angle, or putting the shaft out of phase to be more analogous to a Band-Aid. Completely removing the shaft and replacing it with a different shaft of a different design, resulting in a dramatic improvement seems more like a cure to me. The perfect cure? Maybe, maybe not.
• Lastly, there's a lot of talk about this won't work or that won't work. Lets talk more about what will work. If anyone has any better ideas and can produce a better solution that is shown to work better and be safer I will pay you $3,000 to take this burden off my shoulders and will discontinue our Ford Ranger drive shaft. I'll mark it as discontinued and add a link on our Ranger shaft product page to whatever better solution you find. I've done that before, put links on our site to other companies products that I believe will work better. You can find an example of that here. The only catch is that it has to be shown to perform better than what we are offering, for at least 10 Ranger owners who previously had drive shaft issues.

Thank you for focusing on solutions!

 

[landiscarrier]

If someone is heeding Phil's caution and needs to get rid of their one piece Tom Woods drive shaft...I'll give you a couple bucks for it!

 

[Jason B]

Until I hear that some one poll vaulted their truck due to installing a one-piece shaft, whether it is Ranger, Tacoma or any other brand, I'll take Phil's advice as a precautionary statement. I don't hear anyone fear mongering about oversized tires, ridiculous offsets with wheel spacer, or insane lifts.

 

[SigOris]

This would've been a great discussion between two engineers. There's obviously a problem for some and Shawn has fixed that problem and even reached out to Phil asking for his opinion. Instead he (Phil) chose not to discuss this which I don't understand why because between the two of them it would've added A LOT to this thread. I'm not trying to knock on anyone here but this should've been discussed openly here so anyone with this issue an uneven Shawn could've got another prospective.

The main purpose of this forum is to find and get answers to peoples problems and I think Shawn has done a great job at doing this. If Phil thinks this is a waste of money and those buying them are fools I feel he should elaborate more and they both can discuss this rational. I get it that Phil was an engineer for Ford and maybe doesn't like someone saying there's an issue with a Ford product but let's be real here. NO manufacturer is perfect and Ford sure does have their fare share of problems with all their vehicles. You don't have to look to far towards the Bronco which has had it share of problems especially with a proven motor like the 2.7 and lets not even get into all the broken tie rods.

Well said

 

[SigOris]

How does that knot go?

The rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree, and back down the hole.

Left over Right then Right over Left

i know there’s a few Eagle Scouts and maybe a few BM’s who can add a few more ?

 

[TJC]

Simply because a problem does not affect every truck does not relieve Ford of its responsibility to provide a solution. It may take the political pressure off, but not the moral contract between buyer and seller.

Maybe it is only 4x4's that present, or 4x4's with towing packages, or 4x4's with the locker rear axle. I have all three.

Or only the trucks that Joe on the assembly line worked on!

Frankly I don't care. Labeling it as not major doesn't fix my truck.

The problem was definable and repeatable. It was always there. The only time it did not present itself was the first 10 minutes from a cold start.

I had the shudder at <20mph starting from a stop, coming to a stop, and at high speeds >70mph.

You spend a lot of time starting and stopping, and cruising (and cursing) at 70-75mph while you shake in your seat.

If Phil is frustrated because I didn't follow his advice, then Phil has a personal problem. It is advice, and I am free to accept or reject it.

I respect Phil and his opinions, and want it noted that I have not disparaged Phil in any way, He however, has disparaged others on two occasions now about this issue. I am not talking about safety warnings here. He belittled Tom Wood's Driveshaft early on, and then called those of us who purchased the driveshaft "suckers".

I am frustrated for having to deal with this issue, and then having a retired Ford Engineer gracefully, and then not so gracefully, advise me to live with it... (just as Ford dealers have done) and then label me as a sucker for trying to do something about it.... because Ford wouldn't or couldn't.

Frustrated, you bet I am frustrated! I spent $35K on a new FORD truck that had a glaring problem "No Cost Option". In that regard, Phil is absolutely correct... a sucker is born everyday, and he and FORD can count me as one.

The last time I felt this "suckered" was when I purchased a 1978 Olds Delta 88 with a 350V8 Diesel that blew head gaskets 3 times in the first year of ownership, when the GM dealership that sold it to me refused to take in on tradein. They actually laughed at me. I have not purchased a GM vehicle since!

Re: Tom Wood's Driveshaft

IF, and again I stress IF, the critical speed is 4K RPM, I won't see an issue until I exceed 97 mph.
That speed limitation is not a problem for me, and is worth the tradeoff.

Knowing what I know now, I would make the same decision to go with the one piece driveshaft. It was the RIGHT CHOICE for me. I am a happy, grateful customer of Tom Wood's Driveshaft, for addressing my truck's problem "No Cost Option". I would have preferred that Ford would have addressed the problem "No Cost Option", and if they had I would not be out another $700 running a solid driveshaft now.

***Using the term "No Cost Option" should satisfy those who object to characterizing the issue as a "Major Problem" or "Design Issue".

- T

 

[Bsthroop]

***Using the term "No Cost Option" should satisfy those who object to characterizing the issue as a "Major Problem" or "Design Issue".


??? Sorry I so rudely referred to this add on feature as a problem! It's actually a back massage.

 

[Danager]

2021 Lariat Tremor - with no vibration. Not denying this is an issue for some. And it has to be frustrating when getting the brush-off from FoMoCo. I’m no engineer or subject matter expert in this area, and I’m not sure what the most effective solution is. It seems as though there is some anecdotal evidence of a solution.
All this back and forth, the sharpening of pitchforks and lighting of torches sure has lead to some hurt feelings and even more frustration.

I hear you. I acknowledge you. Your point is valid.

Below is an illustration I often set on the table when beginning a mediation. It’s not perfect either. It is a starting point.

 

[Muddy Fenders]

• Lastly, there's a lot of talk about this won't work or that won't work. Lets talk more about what will work. If anyone has any better ideas and can produce a better solution that is shown to work better and be safer I will pay you $3,000 to take this burden off my shoulders and will discontinue our Ford Ranger drive shaft. I'll mark it as discontinued and add a link on our Ranger shaft product page to whatever better solution you find. I've done that before, put links on our site to other companies products that I believe will work better. You can find an example of that here. The only catch is that it has to be shown to perform better than what we are offering, for at least 10 Ranger owners who previously had drive shaft issues.

I got this.
I'll PM you the account for the e-transfer of $3000.

Basically, 10 of these one piece drive shafters need to trade in their Rangers for the new Frontier.
It excels in many ways because the ass end isn't as high. The higher rake of the Ranger is the cause.

Frontier ...its the better solution.

 

[navsnipe]

Left over Right then Right over Left

i know there’s a few Eagle Scouts and maybe a few BM’s who can add a few more ?

I was/am an Eagle Scout and also was in the Navy. Not a BM, I was an MM, main space snipe.
I know a few knots.

 

[MikeyB]

Gotta admit an interesting topic and a concern for many Ranger owners.
Once in a while, not always I feel a shutter/vibration under the truck-not always
Sometimes it does it sometimes not
Honestly it does it less when the truck is hot and up to operating temp.
I live with it because like I said it's not all the time.
I really believe it's a transmission issue- Of course I could be wrong, absolutely
I will say that the last time I was under the truck looking around I noticed that the rubber center bearing on the driveshaft felt very soft-maybe my opinion. Maybe designed that way.
Even my Old-timer mechanic buddy said the same. But maybe it was designed that way?
For now I have no intentions to mess with the drivetrain-having total confidence in Ford engineering with this Ranger. I feel 100% the original driveshaft won't self-destruct
Sorry Guys-and Gals but I'm with Phil, who I respect a lot for his knowledge and I won't futz with the driveshaft. I understand this Gen Ranger is his baby.
Good luck to Everybody!!

Sponsored