Just brought my 87 trans am (305 tpi w/ 700r4) into the shop for some jobs that I didn't want to do. One of which was swapping stock steel driveshaft for an aluminum one I got from another f-body. The guy then calls me and tells me he didn't think the shaft would fit. I tried to tell him it would but then just said forget it do the other stuff. So......

Aren't all f-body aluminum driveshafts universal from like 84 on up? I checked the number on mine and its definetly came off a late 80s f-body. I think the shaft is like an inch shorter but the yokes are an inch longer...

Mechanic quoted me at least 2 hours for just the driveshaft swap. Really!? This seemed like a lot since the cars on the lift for a bunch of other rear end stuff anyway. Or am I being a cheapskate?

Thanks as always guys. Just some quick input needed I don't post much

 

A driveshaft swap is about 2 minutes, if he forgets which way the bolts turn halfway through.

 

Sounds high to me, it didn't even take me an hour to do it including changing out the U-joints and I'm no mechanic. I'm not sure what years are interchangeable though, hopefully someone else can answer that. Mine was an aluminum driveshaft out of a 4th gen.

 

Lmao

 

Thanks for the input. They're universal right?

 

They're interchangeable, except the TH200C shafts.

 

Thirdgen shaft RPO JG1 (GM p/n 10085375 located on the tail of the shaft) will fit, period.

Two hours sounds correct--with a break to swill a 12-pack, throw up twice, and have a nap.

JamesC

 

I think I'd pass out halfway through the 12, puke 4 times, and get a good night's sleep... and STLL beat your 2 hrs. You must weigh ALOT more than me. Like, over 175 or something.

 

The only way that could take two hours is if the person doing it has two broken arms or arthritis so bad that the can't turn a wrench. If I was doing it and taking my time I could not make it last more than 30 minutes and that is counting the time to jack it and when finished take it off the jack stands.