What driveshaft should my car have?

[moparedtn]

My 1968 GTX has one of these type driveshafts in it. It was originally a 440 automatic, now is a 4-speed:

It has that welded "donut" at the transmission end like the one in the pic above (pic is not my actual driveshaft). Were those used in 1968?

The u-joint in front measures close to 1 1/4" cup diameter (!), but I wonder if that has a larger head due to these having internal retaining clips?
I'm in process of fetching a replacement yoke and this is the time to make any corrections, if needed.

 

[66Satellite47]

Spend the money and buy a good driveshaft setup. Forged or billet pinion yoke 1350 , 3" chrome moly driveshaft, forged 1350 slip yoke. Buy the tough parts and don't explode stuff down the track.

 

[oldbee]

Can't tell ya the cup dia. But the 68FSM says 52.07" length, 3.0" dia. with inertia ring(donut) for all 383,426,440 with 4bbl. For some reason a 383-2bbl is 52.03" & 2.75" dia. even with both having 8-3/4" diff w/auto.

 

[moparedtn]

Can't tell ya the cup dia. But the 68FSM says 52.07" length, 3.0" dia. with inertia ring(donut) for all 383,426,440 with 4bbl. For some reason a 383-2bbl is 52.03" & 2.75" dia. even with both having 8-3/4" diff w/auto.

Ah, so that's an "inertia ring" eh? So this could actually be the original driveshaft for the car?

 

[oldbee]

Could be, I think you measure from centerline of each cap.

 

[moparedtn]

Could be, I think you measure from centerline of each cap.

Well, as far as length/fit goes, this one is perfect for the car....

 

[moparedtn]

Spend the money and buy a good driveshaft setup. Forged or billet pinion yoke 1350 , 3" chrome moly driveshaft, forged 1350 slip yoke. Buy the tough parts and don't explode stuff down the track.

Won't be going down a track anytime soon.
I'll be perfectly happy going down the highway reliably and smoothly after all the six years of hell the car and I have both been through.

 

[moparedtn]

Is there no reference/source information on Mopar driveshafts online anywhere?
I can't find it if it exists.

 

[Fran Blacker]

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/driveshaft-length-chart.109307/

 

[440+6]

Is there no reference/source information on Mopar driveshafts online anywhere?
I can't find it if it exists.

Info is in the manual and the parts book, both are free to download at mymopar.

 

[moparedtn]

Info is in the manual and the parts book, both are free to download at mymopar.

Yes, the obvious reference materials you mention are, well, obvious.
I am referring more to an across-the-board type reference between models and years and such.

 

[moparedtn]

In case anyone stumbles across this thread in future years, I'll answer my own question since nobody else has so far:
The driveshafts with the inertia ring front end on them (and bigger u-joints) were stock on 440 and hemi b-bodies in 1968, regardless of transmission choice.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Ed wonder if your car is an early 68? Like Sept 67/Oct 67. I have a 68 GTX 4 speed driveshaft no inertia ring. Maybe using up 67 parts?

 

[oldbee]

My Bee has the ring,3" d/shaft and big joints.

 

[Photon440]

In case anyone stumbles across this thread in future years, I'll answer my own question since nobody else has so far:
The driveshafts with the inertia ring front end on them (and bigger u-joints) were stock on 440 and hemi b-bodies in 1968, regardless of transmission choice.

When I put in my Dana 60, it had smaller u-joints than the 8 3/4" that it replaced. (383 engine)

 

[oldbee]

Photon now that makes no sense at all, ma Mopar at her finest!

 

[moparedtn]

Ed wonder if your car is an early 68? Like Sept 67/Oct 67. I have a 68 GTX 4 speed driveshaft no inertia ring. Maybe using up 67 parts?

Probably was in your case, yeah.
Mine has the inertia ring front on it like the FSM says.

 

[moparedtn]

My Bee has the ring,3" d/shaft and big joints.

I reckon that's what this one is, too.

 

[moparedtn]

Photon now that makes no sense at all, ma Mopar at her finest!

Got that right. If anything, what he describes is ***-backwards. I reckon it's possible someone could have replaced the pinion yoke on the Dana?
Then again, they still do make the oddball u-joint that has a pair of "big" and a pair of "little" cups on them, too - probably to aid with folks making swaps.

 

[oldbee]

Ed ur right but mine has big joints frt & rear in an auto!?