One piece drive shaft diameter???

[Jim Cobler]

I did a search and read a lot of posts regarding the large single drive shaft but it appears no one has taken the time to measure it. Does anyone know what the diameter really is? Terms like "huge" or "monster" are not very specific.

This is important because I have installed an additional fuel filter and cooler and want to make sure there is enough clearance for the new drive shaft.

[hoot]

Roughly 4 3/4" dia.

[GMC D-Max]

Just measured mine with a vernier caliper.
5.773".

On edit:

Hey Hoot! Mine's bigger than yours! HAHAHA! tongue.gif

[ 02-19-2003: Message edited by: GMC D-Max ]</p>

[hoot]

Got me wondering. I first held up a tape measure. Obviously not a good way to measure a pipe.

I went back out with a set of old fashioned calipers.

Looks like 5" plus or minus 1/16"

Mine is a Crew Cab. Maybe they used different diameters?

OK, everybody..... measure your shaft...

[ 02-19-2003: Message edited by: hoot ]</p>

[jjackson]

I'm wondering if the 4 wh drive single shafts are different than the new single shaft for 2wd units..?

Jim, are the new one's aluminum like on the 4wd trucks..? Why have you decided to change?

John

[77TransAm]

Trucks that were built in the factory with a one-piece shaft (like a 4wd extended cab short bed) will have the smaller diameter shaft. Trucks that got the one-piece installed in place of a two-piece will have the larger diameter shaft. The larger shaft was the service fix, but I remember reading something about the assembly line not being equipped to handle that diameter.

[hoot]

I had my "smaller dia." shaft installed a year after I got the truck.

[GMC D-Max]

77TransAm:
I did a factory order on my truck, and it was delivered (Feb. '02) with the big aluminum shaft. I did not have it replaced.
:cool:

[ 02-19-2003: Message edited by: GMC D-Max ]</p>

[Nels]

The large diameter drive shaft for the long wheelbase 4WD HD's is roughly 5-3/4" in diameter. To do it with a tape measure, wrap it around the shaft and measure the circumfrence. Divide that number by PI (3.1416) to get the diameter. The large diameter shafts are also aluminum alloy instead of steel.

[roegs]

I have an '03 2500HD DA CC SB on order. Will it come with a 1 or 2 piece drive shaft?

Thanks!

[Jim Cobler]

Thanks for the information.

I have been experiencing a little vibration on acceleration but I wondered about changing until they started putting them on the new trucks.

I am still a little concerned about all the talk about the single shaft making noises when you put the truck in gear or slow down. Fewer parts is appealing to me and I worry about future problems with replacement if I don't do it now.

Thanks again, guys.

[77TransAm]

Sorry... shoulda been more specific. ONE of the two assembly plants that builds these trucks (Flint, I believe) was not equipped to handle anything larger than a 5" diameter shaft. Pontiac (I believe) could install the larger shafts. I was under the impression that all factory one-piece shafts were the smaller diameter, but I do know that at least for the '01 model year one of the two plants could not handle the larger diameter shafts.

The part numbers called out in the service bulletin for driveshaft replacement are all for the larger diameter shaft, so I can't tell ya what happened on your truck, hoot. (But then, no one ever can, can they? smile.gif )

[GMC D-Max]

That makes sense. Mine was assembled in Pontiac.

[mowser]

My 2002 Chevy D/A Ext. Cab,4x4 3500LT, came from Pontiac in September 2001 with the Big Aluminum Shaft.

[PJD15X]

I thought that the single driveshaft was only for the 4wheel drive trucks.
The bulletin #01-04-17-001B states it is for Models: 1999-2002 Chevrolet & GMC K2500/3500 Extended Cab Long Box & Crew Cab Short Box Pickup Models with Automatic Transmission.

I understood that K2500/3500 are 4wheel drive vehicles and that the single piece driveshaft does not apply to the C2500/3500 models, which are 2wheel drive.

If I am wrong on this, let me know. It has had a lot of discussion on this site,and a lot of people, including myself thought that is was for 2wheel drive trucks also.

[56Nomad]

My 2002 dually purchased in Texas, built in Pontiac on 12/10/02 has
the big shaft too smile.gif