Extending my frame need info

[biggoolies]

Hi. In the process of extending my frame in Mexico.
My truck is a 2006 fg140 short wheelbase. I am converting to the long wheelbase. LWB
My truck has the single rear driveshaft. I know the lwb has two driveshafts.
1. Why does the LWB have two rear driveshafts instead of one?
2. Can I just have one long driveshaft made instead of using two?
3. Would someone be kind enough to measure both rear driveshafts on their LWB and perhaps take pictures for reference.
Thanks for your help!!

 

[oldtravlr1]

There is almost 24" between the short and long wheel base model. The 2-piece driveshaft helps with chassis flex and vibration issues.
IMHO, with a 1-piece driveshaft on the long wheelbase version, you may experience vibration issues.

If after everything is done and vibration is present, you spent money on a 1-piece driveshaft for nothing.

 

[billiebob]

Hi. In the process of extending my frame in Mexico.
My truck is a 2006 fg140 short wheelbase. I am converting to the long wheelbase. LWB
My truck has the single rear driveshaft. I know the lwb has two driveshafts.
1. Why does the LWB have two rear driveshafts instead of one?
2. Can I just have one long driveshaft made instead of using two?
3. Would someone be kind enough to measure both rear driveshafts on their LWB and perhaps take pictures for reference.
Thanks for your help!!

Balance, torque, power handling are the big reasons for 2 piece drive shafts, then alignment/geometry to work with out stressing driveline components. If you were doing the fo local city deliveries, try the single driveshaft. If you plan on over landing to remote locations, stick to the factory components and design.

 

[biggoolies]

Yes. I figured these would be some of the reasons

 

[biggoolies]

3. Would someone be kind enough to measure both rear driveshafts on their LWB and perhaps take pictures for reference.
Thanks for your help!!

 

[biggoolies]

I know it is Christmas but is there not at least one person with a long wheel base that could go out and measure the length of their driveshafts for me?

 

[odgreen]

https:https://www.ebay.com/itm/07-Mitsubi...149460?hash=item2884780314:g:vswAAOSwDUxdcdiq

The assy. looks like this one

 

[flossandfredsadventures]

I'd call them 675mm and 1000mm to the centers.

Australian FG84D.

Merry Christmas ?

 

[biggoolies]

Thanks to all that have helped. We will be updating this thread when we begin the work. The company is looking to use a thicker frame. Anybody have any reservations on using a thicker stronger frame when it comes to flexibility over rough terrain or other reasons?

 

[Buckstopper]

You need to look at this holistically. What else are you doing to the truck? Suspension changes? Lift? (A softer longer travel suspension would be a good thing with a stiffer frame) Heavier camper box? Are you isolating the camper from the truck frame? (you should) I suspect that the connection point will be critical. Don't let them weld it.

This is a classic example of hot rod engineering - fix one piece then see what breaks then fix that one. Repeat.

ps - I was looking at the FE wreck on Ebay that's the donor for the 2 piece drive shaft and had a thought. Is the rear part of the frame from an FE the same as the FG if you cut it to the the right length and bolted it to step piece? There are a ton of old FE's around for a donor if you can find one that is rust free. That's probably too easy to be possible.

 

[SkiFreak]

You need to look at this holistically.

Absolutely.

 

[javajoe79]

I’d say no. A stiffer/ stronger frame wouldn’t be necessary unless you’re planning on carrying more weight than originally intended. Seems to me that most of these trucks, built as campers, are lighter than the max weight that they were originally designed for.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

I’d say no. A stiffer/ stronger frame wouldn’t be necessary unless you’re planning on carrying more weight than originally intended. Seems to me that most of these trucks, built as campers, are lighter than the max weight that they were originally designed for.

Except that they were never designed for serious off road work in the first place and if that is what you want to do then you need to fit super singles and parabolic springs and all the rules have then changed and you vehicle does not represent what the manufacturer designed any more.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[javajoe79]

Except that they were never designed for serious off road work in the first place and if that is what you want to do then you need to fit super singles and parabolic springs and all the rules have then changed and you vehicle does not represent what the manufacturer designed any more.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

except there are many of these builds out there having zero issues with stock frames.

 

[biggoolies]

I have on the back a hydraulic lift and a motorcycle which is about a thousand pounds right there