Okay.....front propshaft now

M

MAK

New member
My front propshaft has no boot and from what I have read it should be replaced. There were posts from 8-9 months ago about Dorman and Gilbert parts and I found more recent posts referring to D & R propshafts. I want to go ahead and replace the propshaft on my stock Syclone with a better unit. Could someone respond with recommendations and contact information? Has there been any new developments on what is available for Syclones?

If I missed a previous post containing this information, feel free to give me hell. I only searched and read old posts for 45 minutes while listening to kids screaming.

Thanks.
 
SYCLONE#1531

SYCLONE#1531

'MOFOFAST
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

Gilbert Driveline Svc & Supply
(603) 623-3061

He just built me a new propshaft aprox 5 months ago!!!! Give him a call!, Super nice guy!!!
 
alwayscode390

alwayscode390

pppssssshhhhhtttttttttttt
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

I dont think my front propshaft had a boot either ... It didnt look like it needed one , hmmm ---
 
J

jpalmer

New member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

Give us pics of your propshaft. You may already have a different unit
 
L

LOWBLAZERO1

New member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

DaveP said:
After mucho time and research, I'm convinced that Dorman does NOT make a replacement front joint for the stock SyTy shaft.

A seldom-discussed, but viable alternative to the stock shaft, is to use a front shaft from a 1st gen Bravada. It has larger, serviceable u-joints and center bearing, and a Dorman front joint IS available. Would probably be about the same cost as the Gilbert, but retain the front C/V-style joint. I believe it was ChestRockwell (Steve in Seattle) that tried this and reported that it fits with only minor shift bracket mods required. (A bit of grinding).

I have one of these Bravada shafts stashed away. I'm going to use it on the WhiteTy when that stocker gives it up.
Click to expand...

my 92 and 94 bravadas both had a double cardin joints on one end, and cv boots on the other from the factory. one of my oreilys replacements had serviceable joints both ends, the other a double cardin, and a single u-joint, sooo, it's hit and miss in my experience :2cents:.
 
M

MAK

New member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

That is correct. I tried to get a shot of it but the angle was bad. You can barely see the metal ring that was attached to the boot. That is all that remains of it. There were also 2 pictures of the rear portion of the shaft for reference.
 
M

MAK

New member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

I just notice I copied the wrong link for post #6. I found what appeared to be the front portion of the shaft but copied the cv axle page where I was browsing for something else instead. Now I can't find the other correct site just yet. Oops....
 
Throws

Throws

Active member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

DaveP said:
After mucho time and research, I'm convinced that Dorman does NOT make a replacement front joint for the stock SyTy shaft.

A seldom-discussed, but viable alternative to the stock shaft, is to use a front shaft from a 1st gen Bravada. It has larger, serviceable u-joints and center bearing, and a Dorman front joint IS available. Would probably be about the same cost as the Gilbert, but retain the front C/V-style joint. I believe it was ChestRockwell (Steve in Seattle) that tried this and reported that it fits with only minor shift bracket mods required. (A bit of grinding).

I have one of these Bravada shafts stashed away. I'm going to use it on the WhiteTy when that stocker gives it up.
Click to expand...

Is there a difference in the mounting flange?

-P
 
J

Josh Young

kirk
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

Check into D and R Driveline in Jemison Michigan, the piece is right there with a Gilbert IMO for about $200 less money, also you don't have to change the front flange with the D and R, unlike the Gilbert. It seemed the logical choice for me, unless you just want to send Bruce Gilbert the extra coin.:2cents: Good luck on whatever you get, either is a fine piece.
 
Throws

Throws

Active member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

DaveP said:
No. Both flanges are the same. The double U-joints are 1320 series instead of 1310. The front joint is larger, but still a c/v style joint, and obtainable from Dorman for about $105. The tube is larger and requires very mild grinding of the shift cable bracket for clearance. As I said, I have one in my stash and will install it on WhiteTy when that one fails. I believe in c/v style joints for street use.
Click to expand...

Awesome Dave! Thanks! I found a Bravada that I've pulled a few parts off already (mainly to keep from destroying original ones), and while I was too slow on the front diff, the propshaft is still there.

-P
 
Throws

Throws

Active member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

OK... Now I'm curious... why the propshaft that we have? I'm sure GM could have gone into the parts bin and grabbed the Bravada one and just updated the bracket instead. Was it a packaging issue or?

-P
 
Throws

Throws

Active member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

DaveP said:
Bravada's are often 3.73 ratio. We're 3.42. Maybe there was divine intervention that you missed the front diff. Mismatched ratios will tear things up in a hurry.
Click to expand...

Shoot... good point. I didn't think of that. I wanted to pull it to have a core for rebuilding, Oh well.

-P
 
M

MAK

New member
Re: Okay.....front propshaft now

Last Thursday evening I ordered the front shaft from D & R Driveline. They are easy to work with and it was delivered today, 6 days later. Wonderful service.
 
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