JL JOURNAL : How to Install 1350 Drive Shafts on a JL WRANGLER

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Contrary to what some seem to think, the factory driveshafts that come on a Jeep JL Wrangler are in fact, surprisingly strong. The rzeppa joints used are really beefy, the one u-joint that comes on the front driveshaft is a 1330 (bigger than a standard 1310) and although the tube walls are on the thin side, they more than make up for it with their very large cross section. In the past and on a JL Wrangler, I would have recommended that the front driveshaft be replaced after installing a 3" lift or more but thanks to the all new FAD system that the JL Wrangler comes with, there really isn't a need for it. Of course, on a 4-door Unlimited, the rear drive shaft is so long, you really shouldn't have any problems running it even with a set of 37" tires. That is, so long as you aren't running too tall of a lift.

Now, if there is a reason to consider an aftermarket, double cardan u-joint style driveshaft for your JL Wrangler, it'd be because you have a 2-door. Being that the rear driveshaft is so short, a 2.5" lift or more will cause it to sit at a steep enough angle that the CV boots will be in a constant state of pinch. Sooner than later, this pinch will cause the boots to fail prematurely and that'll leave the bearings inside to fry. Also, if you have a 4-door JL Wrangler and are running 3.5" of lift or more, you may want to run a new rear driveshaft as well and mainly because the diameter of the rear factory shaft is so big, it'll rub the side of your gas tank at a full flex. Because aftermarket driveshafts are made with thicker tubes, they can be made a lot narrower diameter and that goes a long way to help out in the clearance department. The same can be said up front as well especially if you're running shocks that allow for big droop. The narrower diameter of an aftermarket driveshaft will do a much better job of clearing things like your skid bar and exhaust cross over.

As you can guess, the last two reasons are why Cindy and I decided to upgrade our JL Wrangler's driveshafts to set of aftermarket, 1350 u-joint style double cardan driveshafts and in this episode of the JL JOURNAL, you'll get to see what it takes to get them installed. As an added bonus, we also included the necessary steps of how to set your rear pinion angle after the install as well. We hope you find our video to be helpful to you and if you have any questions, please let us know.


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What Driveshaft Should You Get?
First off, I would highly recommend that you NOT waste your time with a set of 1310 driveshafts. As mentioned, the one and only u-joint that comes on the front driveshaft is a 1330 and is STRONGER than a 1310. If you're going to make this upgrade, do yourself a favor and spend the extra money on a 1350. Second, I would recommend that you buy a driveshaft based on what u-joints it comes with and NOT necessarily based on brand. I personally prefer to use Neapco u-joints because they have always proven themselves to be strong and because they're made in the U.S.A. A good alternative u-joint would be ones made by Spicer. I would also recommend that you NOT get u-joints that are greasable being that they are hollow and tend to be weaker.

With that said, I personally prefer to have custom shafts made by my local driveline shop. If you play as hard on the rocks as you think you do, a local shop is something you will be using on a regular basis to have your driveshafts re-balanced and/or rebuilt. That being said, I have run JE Reel shafts in the past and would highly recommend them. At the time we made this video, Cindy and I were down in the Vegas area and in a pinch for time so, we decided to buy a set of Adam's Driveshafts and give them a try.

What You Will Need
• Rear Upper Adjustable Control Arms
13, 15, 18, 21, 22mm Sockets & Wrenches
9/16, 5/8" Wrenches
8mm or 5/16" Socket & Wrench (12 Point)
1-1/4" Socket
Torx T-50 Bit
Ratchet
Short & Long Ratchet Extensions
200 Foot Pound Torque Wrench
Fine Inch Pound Torque Wrench (Optional)
Impact Wrench
3-Jaw Gear Puller
Angle Finder
Brass Hammer (Optional)
Brass Punch
• 2 Lb. Hammer
• RTV Gasket Maker
• Red Locktite
• ATF+4
• Gear Oil
• Floor Jack
• Jack Stands
• 1-1/2" Wrench (EVO Jam Nuts) or Large Crescent Wrench


PLEASE NOTE: I have no illusions that there are a ton of people out there with a lot more experience than me. I would never pretend to know more than the next guy or to be some kind of an expert. Like all our videos, this one was made to simply show how I personally like to install my driveshafts and with the hopes that it might be able to help out others. If you disagree with my methods or know how to do it better, I would encourage you to make your own how to video so that I can learn from it.
 

CalSgt

Member
Great video as always:thumb:

But it leads me to one question, which is totally on topic... What did you make those wheel center caps out of?
 

doubletapdaddy

Caught the Bug
Excellent instructional video. As I have these same Adam's sitting in my garage, the content is very timely for me. Thanks for putting this together. :thumb:
 

JTCO

Meme King
Great video. Should help a lot of people. Very detailed. I'm sure you had some slight intimidation pulling that rear pinion nut on such a new Jeep, lol.
 

Tubbydude

Member
Great video! One question though. If you do have any vibration where would you start to correct it? Would you look back at the driveline and pinion angles to make sure they were the same?
Thanks again for the great videos you guys make for all us noobs who want to same some cash and buy more parts.


Sent from my iPhone using JL Wrangler Jeep Forum mobile app
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Great video. Should help a lot of people. Very detailed. I'm sure you had some slight intimidation pulling that rear pinion nut on such a new Jeep, lol.

Yeah, never something I really want to do but fortunately, I do have the right tools to help ensure I don't over crush the crush sleeve. :crazyeyes:

Great video! One question though. If you do have any vibration where would you start to correct it? Would you look back at the driveline and pinion angles to make sure they were the same?
Thanks again for the great videos you guys make for all us noobs who want to same some cash and buy more parts.

So long as your driveshaft is balanced and your rear pinion is sitting in line with it, you really shouldn't have ANY vibrations. IF you do, I would have your driveshaft rebalanced - just like I would with a new set of tires.
 

Rellik

Member
Just did 1350s on our Jl. Wish I could have had access to your install video as it would have made things a lot easier.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Just did 1350s on our Jl. Wish I could have had access to your install video as it would have made things a lot easier.

LOL!! Oh man, we filmed this back in October. Sorry we weren't able to get it out sooner.

Great install video! The Adams 1350’s are next on my list!!

As much as I think these Adam's shafts are nice, if you have a local shop near by, I would highly recommend you have them make you a custom shaft. I can almost guarantee you that they'll be cheaper and you WILL be using them again for balancing and rebuilds. Just a thought.

Thank you Eddie and Cindy for another great video.

Glad that you found our video to be useful :)
 

JAGS

Member
That’s an awesome video, but I don’t think I’d ever trust myself to do that level of work. Lol.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks for another great install video. And thanks for explaining the rear pinion yoke and crush sleeve. I’ve been looking at these for a while but that part of the install had me worried.

Well, you do need to be concerned with the crush sleeve but more for over tightening the pinion nut than anything. Not that I'm saying you should do it but you'd almost be better off under tightening it. This is why red locktite is needed.

That’s an awesome video, but I don’t think I’d ever trust myself to do that level of work. Lol.

LOL!! Practice makes perfect :)

hey! someone copied your video on another site...have to say it was pretty damn good as well :thumb:

:cheesy: I may have heard about that other site :crazyeyes: :D
 

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