extension on tail shaft

[joshua]

Hi guys,

I have a bedford CFL (long wheel base)Ive just installed a new gearbox (supra w56) and Diff. Ive ran into a little trouble with the tailshaft it needs to be extended to 1900 but the we have just been told the ADR rules state its not meant to be longer then 1750... First of all it is longer then 1750 to begin with..

Does anyone know how I can get around this.. everything is in ready to go except this massive hicup...

Kind regards joshua

[Bas / NZ]

Tail-shaft  1750 one piece or total length 2 piece, eg: not to exceed 1750 per unit

[joshua]

Im not sure they have just said they cant make the shaft over 1750. that is not including the yoke or flange

[aussieneil]

When my camper was built the chassis was extended by 18". To get around the tailshaft length issue, a simple but sturdy dropped centre cross member was welded between the chassis rails at about the half way point and a centre bearing and 2-piece tailshaft installed. This was relatively small tubing can be used, and the whole shebang balances and performs beautifully. When I had the tailshafts rebuilt due to a diff swap I did years back the driveline specialist indicated his preference for such a setup ahyhow over a big, long, whippy centre shaft.

[Marishka]

Also a good idea to have a tailshaft loop under the van.
Just for added safty with extended tail shafts.
It can be as simple as a piece of flatbar or a fabricated masterpiece.

[joshua]

thats awesome Marty! I think I have found a guy who is meant to be exceptional in Packenham. Ill keep you all updated on how it goes.

[Bas / NZ]

The standard Bedford is a 2 piece, with bearing and hanger in the middle, so to make one longer is no problem, if you are running a 1 piece go back to the 2 piece

[John Abbott]

Hey Josh....I went thru a similar problem with the tailshaft on my truck. This one had been botched up years ago by someone else before i got the truck.The centre bearing was to close to the gearbox end so it wasnt in the centre at all. I had a whole new tail shaft made up by a company here in Perth called Hardy Spicer and they used a holden vl turbo shaft and modified that. Runs perfect now

[Sundownernz]

You'll probably find that the restriction on the length will be due to the diameter of the drive shaft you currently have. The driveshaft in my LWB is the maximum length I can have for the diameter I have with a long tailshaft fitted on the auto. If I had the short tailshaft auto I would have had to go up to the next diameter in driveshaft to get the longer length.

If you go up a size in diameter you should be able to get one made the right length without putting in a centre bearing arrangement.

Cheers,
Garry

[Bas / NZ]

You'll probably find that the restriction on the length will be due to the diameter of the drive shaft you currently have. The driveshaft in my LWB is the maximum length I can have for the diameter I have with a long tailshaft fitted on the auto. If I had the short tailshaft auto I would have had to go up to the next diameter in driveshaft to get the longer length.

If you go up a size in diameter you should be able to get one made the right length without putting in a centre bearing arrangement.

Cheers,
Garry

The man who knows everything about vans.... Must be all those years.