Tailshaft- XR-XY C4 to 9" Diff??? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

FAT69XT · 08-30-2005, 04:20

Hi All,

Any ideas on what tailshaft might connect my C4 to 9" in my XT???

I have just dropped the 9" in and the old tailshaft looks at least 2- 3" too long!

I can't find an appropriate one anywhere!

Cheers,

Matt

351cid · 08-31-2005, 02:09

XW or XY GT shaft might fit but i dont like your chances of finding one.

might be quicker and cheaper to have a new shaft made.
proberly be stonger too.

i had one made at a place in Silverwater Road once . Farrells were their name and they specialised in lengthening truck chassis and buildind drive shafts.

that was quite a lot of years ago but i would expect they would still be there as it was a long establised familly business , and they were great to deal with as well. very helpfull.

RPO-083 · 08-31-2005, 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAT69XT

Hi All,

Any ideas on what tailshaft might connect my C4 to 9" in my XT???

I have just dropped the 9" in and the old tailshaft looks at least 2- 3" too long!

I can't find an appropriate one anywhere!

Cheers,

Matt

Strange it is so differet in length. What was your old combo (trans/diff)? An XY is 52.75" with a 9", and 52.85" with a tinhat, so not much difference between the two.

FAT69XT · 08-31-2005, 05:11

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated!

The old combo was C4 hooked up to XTGT/Mustang 8 3/4 diff (the one that looks like a 9", removable carrier, etc).

When I pulled the old diff out, I unbolted the u bolts on the diff that hold the tailshaft rear uni's on and went to slide the shaft forward (back further into the gearbox), to drop the shaft down and remove it.

It wouldn't slide forward at all, ther was absoulutley no movement or 'give' in it between the box and the diff. To drop the shaft, I had to take the caps off the rear uni and then it was able to be removed.

Now with the 9" bolted up, it won't fit between the box and the diff- it looks like it needs to be shortened at least 1", maybe 2" to get it to be able to slide up to the diff yoke.

I thought it would bolt up too, so i'm a bit dissapointed! Got a quote for a custom tailshaft- new unis, heavy wall 3" tube etc, $495- seems like a lot of cash that I don't have available to spend right now!!

Any further ideas?? its got me beat!!

Thanks again

reece1 · 08-31-2005, 05:20

you should be able to get your original one shortened for alot less than that,does it fit the yoke on the diff? get on the phone call hardie spicer at moorebank not sure if they are still at moorebank though. or try driveshaft engineering at kirrawee in the shire. you should be able to get it done for around the 100 mark give or take a little. just ring around shouldnt be a drama.

FAT69XT · 08-31-2005, 05:55

Thanks for that, much appreciated. I think the Uni's/ yoke will bold up without a problem.

I think I just figured out the cause of my hassles:

The diff that is in it could have very well come out of a ZB fairlane (some had these diffs in them).

For arguements sake we will say that a ZB fairlane wheelbase is 2" longer than an XT. We will also say that ford allowed for 2" movement (ie tailshaft if unbolted from diff will go 2" forward, back into the gearbox).

The diff and tailshaft were then (i'm assuming) removed from the ZB and put in my XT. The XT, being 2" shorter wheelbase means that everything still fits up, however now there is basically no movement in the tailshaft between diff and box.

So when I have put the 9" in (yoke comes out further), the shaft no longer fits in.

A long story, but sounds possible to me???

RPO-083 · 09-01-2005, 02:12

ZB Fairlane diff should be the same. But, it is possible the yoke has been changed in the past....?? as you can get different length yokes.

Anyway, XT GT tailshaft, 53.4" long. So, yeah, nearly an inch too long.

Not knowing where you are makes it hard to recommend a suitable place. But, the allltime best is Hy-Torque at Wetherill Park. Ask for Al in the workshop. He has got to be the all-time greatest tailshaft bloke, and he knows Ford shafts inside out. Just measure from the back of your gearbox output shaft to the diff yoke (with the suspension loaded- ie, on the ground, or on ramps; not with the diff "hanging"). Draw a little diagram showing the exact points where you measured, and he will do the rest.

One think to remember though, it is sometimes easier to take a lot (say, 100mm) then a little bit (20-25mm). He may recommend a new tube. But, he is upfront about everything and, like I said, the all-time greatest.

brenx · 09-01-2005, 03:05

$495 is way too much. A complete new tailshaft cost me $230 via Truckline. That was new front yoke to suit a powerglide, 3" pipe, new rear yoke (not sure what it's called) and 2 uni's to suit.

I had quotes up to $1100 for a tailshaft!?!? I should be in tailshaft manufacture. Lots of $ to be made

jg66me · 09-01-2005, 03:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAT69XT

Hi All,

Any ideas on what tailshaft might connect my C4 to 9" in my XT???

I have just dropped the 9" in and the old tailshaft looks at least 2- 3" too long!

I can't find an appropriate one anywhere!

Cheers,

Matt

XW to XC Four speed 9 inch will fit up to a C4. The top loader & single rail is the same lenth and spline as a C4 (except GTHO) and the XT is 111 inch WB, same as up to XC. The XA to XC tail shaft has 1 blue and 1 green band.

Armed with this, you should be able to identify one at the wreckers.

Steve

FAT69XT · 09-02-2005, 04:57

Thanks once again guys, much appreciated!!

Sounds liek the go is to check out the wreckers and if no luch, see Al at Hi Torque- I have heard good things about them so it looks like I should be able to solve this!

Cheers,

Matt