Front Driveshaft Differences

[Allen]

What's the difference between the DS for an auto TJ and a manual TJ?

Isn't the manual shaft a larger diameter?

Is one stronger than the other?

Heard somewhere there was a difference.....

Allen

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Allen
What's the difference between the DS for an auto TJ and a manual TJ?

Isn't the manual shaft a larger diameter?

Is one stronger than the other?

Heard somewhere there was a difference.....

Allen

Originally in 97, both shafts were the same larger diameter according to my observations and listening to those whiners with autos and the larger diameter shafts.

During certain cornering and crossing driveway approach aprons at angles, the shaft would rub on the side of the trans bellhousing.

The easiest obvious fix for this is to reduce the diameter of the shaft for the required clearance.

The auto shaft is smaller in diameter. As far as strength goes, without dissecting one and determining if the smaller diameter has an increased wall thickness, it's hard to prove.

OTOH, if they reduced the diameter and kept the same wall thickness of the tube, then the larger shaft is stronger.

In this case though, stronger is pretty relative as the smaller shaft rarely breaks or bends and is quite capable of breaking the u-joints.

[Allen]

Thanks.

Allen