Viberations at high speeds in 4wd with tuff country lift kit

ecc_33

Junior Member
Aug 10, 2006
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Amanda, Ohio
I have had this problem ever since installing the lift kit. I would like to fix the issue since my truck keeps getting faster as the years pass by. I see now tuff country sells a aftermarket front drive shaft to fix this issue. Anyone ever have this experience and now whats different about the front drive shaft?
 

S Phinney

Active member
Aug 15, 2008
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Quncy, Fl
If you want a front shaft that will work it needs to be custom made. I had the same issues and purchased one that was suppose to be strong enough to hold. It wasn't even close to strong enough. There won't be a cheap drive shaft to fix it.

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ecc_33

Junior Member
Aug 10, 2006
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I understand this. I guess i should have asked, I assume the shaft needs to be longer? If so by how much. There is a drive line place close to work that does a ton of high perf drive lines. Just need to know how much longer if this is the case. Thanks, Eric
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
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Phoenix Az
Length isnt the issue, you need to run a double cardan setup due to the u-joint angles. Unless you drop the pinon angle on the pumpkin, a longer shaft does nothin for ya.
 

ecc_33

Junior Member
Aug 10, 2006
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Ok thanks, Do you guys think that will hold up under drag racin abuse? I should be runnin mid 11's fairly easy. Also is that like a velocity joint type deal. Sorry not real familiar with that drive shaft.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
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Phoenix Az
Ok thanks, Do you guys think that will hold up under drag racin abuse? I should be runnin mid 11's fairly easy. Also is that like a velocity joint type deal. Sorry not real familiar with that drive shaft.

Go with a quality setup and you should be just fine but a double cardan is the only answer without goin back to stock. It depends, the terminology is loosly used bwetween constant velocity joint, double cardan but as long as who your talking too is on the same page as you, you should be fine. Basically, you need dual u-joints at the t-case and one at the diff
 

juddski88

Freedom Diesel
Jul 1, 2008
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Chesterfield, Mass.

ecc_33

Junior Member
Aug 10, 2006
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Amanda, Ohio
Sure your stocker isn't tweeked, or a bad joint? I've got no issues even at 116+
Not sure that its fine. Maybe i'll pull it out and have drive line one balance it again. I put the lift kit on at 36,000 miles and it did this as soon as it was installed. Its got 49,000 now. Its smooth as silk in 2wd. Once in 4wd i get like a high speed viberation. It hasn't blown apart so far lol. Im sure its not good on all the alumn. housings.
 

custom8726

Active member
Feb 25, 2008
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Upstate N.Y
I have ran 136MPH in 4WD with my tuff country 4" lift without any problems or vibrations.. That was at the track with 265's but I also daily drive it and sled pull it with a 35-12.5-18" tire and have yet to notice any issues or vibrations from the lift with stock drive shaft'S..... I think you have another issue, balance, alignment, fluid, etc..?? :confused:
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,123
4,865
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Phoenix Az
Under load the vib is barely noticable. Put the truck into a coast or barely some throttle and ill bet most you guys will get a growling noise at 75. Even though some of you dont "feel it", doesnt mean your shaft isnt still vibrating twice as much as it did when stock. Again, its simple drive shaft mechanics. Putting one end of a u-joint shaft straight and the other end at any degree of angle will cause vibs from slight to bad. A double cardan / cv shaft is the only shaft designed for that type angles. Ecc33, you can spend money on a rebal or even try putting new u-joints in but your only bandaiding the real issue.
 

Sledheadxp800r

That was only my tow tune
Dec 13, 2010
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CT
A couple pics of the carnage
 

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