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Irakli
02-01-2008, 10:18 AM
Need advice from experienced out here.

I got an 89' swb, I got a 2' lift recently (dobinson springs and shocks) got the brake lines extended too ... however I get horrible vibrations when I drive, past 60kmh it becomes annoying, I think its the drive shaft but not sure ... its not the tires or bushes or anything of that sort. It only appeared after the lift, and its not the same time of vibs you get from tires...
Proposing its the drive shaft, what could be done other then dropping the transfer and gearbox ?

Any ideas ? its only a 2" lift surely enough the shaft should be vibrating soo much...

if this helps its done 530,000 km, manual, swb, TB42, lhd.

Thanks

DaveM
02-01-2008, 10:24 AM
Sounds like it will be driveline vibes from the lift.
Using gearbox spacers would be the easiest and cheapest.
Other than that, you could possibly get the upper trailing arms shortened, or lower arms lengthened, or get adjustable uppers or lowers.

A cheap way would be use thick washers as gearbox spacers, this will allow you to see how far you need to drop it and then get proper plates made.

Oldbugger
02-01-2008, 10:46 AM
I just lifted my SWB only 2" and I had the vibes too...badly and I mean almost undriveable.....I needed BOTH gearbox spacers (12mm) and lengthened lower rear control arms (I got Snake racing adjustables...had to set them at 14mm extension). It was the only way to get rid of the vibes. I have none at all now except for a slight drumming at 85-90kmh...but not too bad.

I got the springs for nix and had new OME extra length shocks....the spacers cost $85 plus delivery and the adjustable lower rear arms cost about $380 with bushes....I also renewed the upper rear control arm bushes too. (free springs but a fortune on the extras to get rid of the vibes).

Good luck...the shorties are REALLY REALLY sensitive to drive shaft angles....mine would even alter depending on how much fuel I had in the truck...(I believe the 80 series cruisers are the sensitive too) ....you need to ensure the transfer case and diff flanges are exactly parallel (not necessarily in line but parallel)....and I mean exactly.....be careful of the spacers...some of the bolt holes need honing to allow the bolts to easily fit through and to line up with the chassis nuts.

Also try flexing the tailshaft at the slide point...there should be no noticeable movement at all....if there is it might be worth while replacing that first. Same with the uni's.

ab'z
02-01-2008, 10:54 AM
turn tail shafts around an check uni's

Irakli
02-01-2008, 10:41 PM
Turn tail shafts around an check uni's

You mean just turn the drive shaft around ?

Are there no companies out there who make custom drive shafts to cure problems like these ?


When I look at the length of my 4.8s drive shaft length and then the swb its really funny ...

DaveM
03-01-2008, 05:22 AM
Yeah, just unbolt the shaft and swap end for end.
The only driveshaft you can get to solve these is a dc joint one, but they are not needed on such a small lift

Irakli
03-01-2008, 09:28 AM
Alright will do that tomorrow, is swapping the shaft ends going to completely remove the vibes or is it going to reduce the vibes a little or a lot ?

Sorry about too many stupid questions, but this is the first time of having a shorty, used to the long ones and they don't vibe at 2" !!

DaveM
03-01-2008, 11:28 AM
No such thing as a stupid question.

Afraid to say that every shorty is different.
Have mates with 2" lifts and no vibes and dont need any mods, while others have done the driveshaft flip, 20mm gearbox spacer and adjustable upper arms to get rid of the vibes.

Mine has a 4" lift, 10mm spacers, and lengthened trailing arms with no vibes, although the vibes do start in mine if I don't regularly grease the uni's.

Rooster
07-01-2008, 06:32 AM
Hi Mate
I have the same problem here in UK what was your final solution to this and did turning the shaft end for end work