700R4 SWAP JUNKYARD DRIVESHAFT

[86 Grand prix]

I have heard this mentioned and asked for on here several times. I have found one common shaft that will work and another that should. A 1994 Chevrolet Astro van or GMC Safari 2WD has a rear shaft that measures 49.75". The front yoke is the same as our G bodies. The rear is a 1350 series but a 447 conversion joint will fix that. The best I can research this can be found in most 1985-1995 vans. ( I checked two today and both would have worked) Also a 2004-2009 Dodge Durango 4X4 with the small 241 transfer case has a 49" rear shaft that both joints already match ours. I bought one of each today for $16.00 each. If it ever gets above freezing I plan to install one or the other. Most likely the Astro shaft.

 

[LS1GN]

my frustration is that many salvage yards use forklifts to move cars and it seems that most of the time D/S get bent

 

[86 Grand prix]

Yeah I've seen that too. there were several of each listed on Ebay reasonable.

 

[Westbank of NOLA]

I came across this thread by luck and I'm glad I did. This weekend, I'm swapping out a turbo 350 for a 700r4 in a '87 Monte Carlo. Everything I read was saying that I was going to have to get the driveshaft cut. Now I can store my original driveshaft and hit the yards searching for a driveshaft. Thanks

 

[455'ed80Regal]

What boggles my mind is why a 7.5" rear would have a 1350 style u-joint pinion yoke on it when a lot of 12 bolts didn't have them. Makes no sense at all even considering GM does do a lot of crazy things.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Isn't the 1350 joint a heavy duty joint? Doesn't make sense but look, GM put the puny 7 5/8" rear in the fourth gen F bodies. Hell the the various divisions knew better in the 80's that 8.5's were the way to go and only the Grand National was pushing decent power. Yet when the LT1/4 and the LS series were doubling the the power of the 305 and 307 HO's, let's put in a fragile rear when a stick is available on the performance models. I considered a 4th Gen Firebird but not after hearing it had the 7 5/8" rear.

 

[spidereyes455]

Another shaft that is a bolt in with a 7.5 rear is 77-81 firebird and 80-81 camaro with a BUICK V6 ( Hollander part # 431-1317). Most likely a little tough to find these days but it fits U joints and all. Thats what I used on my 81 GP when I put a T-5 in it (700-r4 uses the same shaft) Also for what its worth the drive shaft on 75-81 V8 second gen F cars is 1in shorter and would work with a 700/T-5 and an 8.5 rear Hollander # 431-1309.