Some folks have had success putting an early 90's 2WD explorer driveshaft in vintage mustangs with the t5 swap.  I think the best thing you can do is purchase a new one.  I have had a few made within the last few years for about $150 each.  Then you know you have the right length, 2 new u-joints, and it is balanced, and not bent.  JMHO.

Explorer drive shaft is too short by just under an inch when used with a t5 and 8.8.  I had a custom length aluminum shaft made.

Very nice work Hakan.

jeremy wrote:

My bad, you're right, its too long. I took mine into inland empire drive line, they told me the aluminum Ford shafts are thin, but aren't designed to be cut down, and 50% of the time it ruins the shaft, so I just decided to have a fresh one made up.

Thanks for that info, we'll see if I am able to shorten the Explorer drive shaft or not.

And thanks BobE!



 

Ron68 wrote:

I had mine (98 Explorer 2WD) shortened by Drivelines Northwest and they never mentioned any problems with shortening a Ford aluminum shaft. I doubt they would have done it if it wasn't going to work. I have yet to try it out, but am getting closer.

I've shortened a number of steel driveshaft with good results in the past. Hopefully I can handle the Explorer aluminum driveshaft also, just would need help to weld it as I haven't got the equipement to weld aluminum myself. Would love to be able to use it as I imported it from the US as there's no 2WD Explorers available at any Swedish wrecking yard. Also BTW only one shop in the whole country of Sweden specilizing in custom driveshafts AFAIK and as they have the whole market you can imagine their prices, but I've heard they do great work.

 

Hakan, better get a patent on that linkage setup - looks very professional and functional too. Nice!

Nice work(as usual) Hakan! 
Soooo...there are TWO James Brown fans on Mustangsteve???!!!
6sal6

Roxy wrote:

Hello everyone, i recently fininshed putting the engine, transmission and rear end on my 68 mustang coupe. the donor was a 95 mustang gt with t5 and found out that the original driveline from the 95 is about 6 inches to short. Are there any donor cars that i could get one from that wontn't need lenghened or shortened? what would be the best and least expensive option?

I just finished putting in a T5 with an Explorer aluminum driveshaft in my 65, which has a 9" from a Lincoln Versailles.  The Explorer driveshaft was within 1/8" or so of being the same length as my stock driveshaft, at about 50-1/2".  My yoke sticks out of the T5 about 7/8", which is about what is needed.  

What caused me to look for another driveshaft was because my stock driveshaft was the lightweight design that had 25 splines and 1110 U-joints, and the 28 spline yoke I had for the T5 had 1330 U-joints, and I couldn't find a conversion U-joint.  Here is a link to a site on Ford deiveshafts you may find useful:  http://www.mustangtek.com/differential/Driveshaft.htm.

Anyway, I was able to get the 7/8" yoke clearance by swapping my stock motor mount brackets side to side, which moved the engine back about 1". I have the early motor mounts that are like the falcon design.  BTW, that also put my shifter right in the middle of the existing shifter hole in my driveshaft tunnel.  I don't think you can make up 6" by motor placement, but maybe through a combination of that and a driveshaft from another donor vechicle, you might be able to avoid a custom driveshaft?