Hey Guys, A mechanic just pointed out that my driveshaft in my 71 Challenger is short. After some research, it appears that someone replaced it with a cuda shaft. Any suggestions on where to get it lenghtened or swapped? I called a local shop and they can't handle a shaft that goes from large to small like my ends (3.25 and 2.75). - thx.

afaik a driveshaft cannot be lengthened. If you dont have enough front yoke engagement into the trans (just went thru this myself) you'd need a different shaft & have it shortened/balanced and they can use a combo 7260/7290 u joint which they'd know right off the top of their heads as I'm sure they deal with that all the time so not sure what I'm missing there. You'd want to mock it up with the shaft all the way into the trans with springs loaded (jackstands under the axle not the subframes)/get a C to C measurement/subtract 3/4" (using common flat aftermarket output shaft seal as opposed to OE balloon type)

just have a good trusted local shop build you a custom driveshaft that's all one tube diameter and the right length. typically costs around $300 out the door for a finished, balanced, ready to bolt in driveshaft around here.

unless you're after that factory look and want to keep the tapered shaft, in which case, go to the swap meets and buy an original Challenger driveshaft.


man a Cuda shaft in a Challenger?! that's gotta be a few inches short! didn't realize the yokes had that much length that it would even still engage!

yep, it still fits and engages, I've had a vibration since I've owned the car, so I'm glad to have hopes that getting a new tube on my ends or a new shaft will likely solve this problem.- thanks for the reply. I'm going to take it to a local shop just get a new tube and one new end put on it.

FYI on mine that did not have enough front yoke engagement it was not a low key vibration but a very pronounced chattering that came and went sporadically and didn't last long. I did notice on mockup to solve it that the yoke need alot more engagement into the splines for it to feel like it was solidly engaged on the splines.

Would it work if you got a late model shaft like from a Ram 1500 (aluminum) and had it shortened for your application? Seems like it would be cost effective unless the u joints would be an issue. Just a thought.