I am thinking about making a square drive shaft for my CJ if I go SOA what are the good things and down falls of them

I know a few people that have hung theirs up on the rocks. The shafts were beefy and they were able to power out of the situation and they didn't break or bend the shaft.

Now in this same situation with a square shaft, would the fawker turn? Don't know, but common sense says - NO

I would just make the shaft round and out of heavier material.

Also, it might be a pain to balance unless this is strickly a low speed crawler, then who cares if it's balanced.

My $.02

Round is inherently stronger than square.

I have a square front one that I made cause I needed about 8" of slip. I now have about 18". It works fine for slow speeds, but it isn't balanced at all. It all comes down to money. If you can spring for it, get one made. I know that I will by next winter so I can go snow wheelin'

On a side note..look over there <---I finally made 500:D :flipoff2: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

1st of all..i see 491 not 500. 2nd..who the fawk cares?! anyhow...i am prob gopnna do a square one for money reasons. im broke ass!

Originally posted by DCruiser138
1st of all..i see 491 not 500. 2nd..who the fawk cares?! anyhow...

Yeah, Lance went and fawked up the whole post count thing...AND I FAWKIN' CARE:flipoff2: :D

Round tubing can't be that much more than squre tubing, can it?

Unless you already have square tubing and don't have any round !

you need splines on a round d shaft yah dont on a square one. yah cant just make a round one out of round tubing

if you go square tube, make sure that the fit is tight. mine was a little sloppy and would rattle around with the hubs locked and the t-case in 2wd. just a little annoying but after 3 trips the inner tube would get cocked in the outer tube and not allow the shaft to move.

What size tube and how thick of walls should i use

show me some picks if you guys have them

Originally posted by JJeep74
What size tube and how thick of walls should i use

The smaller the diameter, the thicker it needs to be to get the same strength characteristics. Not sure on specifics, though.

Search the General Tech section. There were some good pics of people using receiver tubing - like for trailer hitches. Real beef.

heres one i found a while back.

Originally posted by yjtj
you need splines on a round d shaft yah dont on a square one. yah cant just make a round one out of round tubing

Well I feel about as fawking stupid as can be.:emb4: :bender:

Originally posted by orbitcat


Well I feel about as fawking stupid as can be.:emb4: :bender:

That's way you’re a newbie :flipoff2:

Couple of reasons for the SquareD's
1. Cash ola, mine cost about $30.00 in parts
2. Lot's ol slip
3. Go square up front unless you need to drive in 4-hi
4. Depending on your rig you can build one for the front or rear for use as a trail spare. (If your front and rear are different lengths then you can carry 1 common inner and 2 outers cut to length)

You'll want to buy 2.5x.250 receiver tube, and 2x.250 square tube. Use axle yokes, or the slip joint side yokes (does that make sense) for the yokes on the SDS. Weld it up, ask a couple of the experienced welders how to do it, or just burn it and hope it holds.