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cheetah2390
05/18/2014, 07:36 AM
My mechanic (future father in law) told me I need to replace my front drive shafts. He didn't have a lot of time to look but said he could only find the right one. So we are wondering if the left one is the same as the right... anybody replace recently? anyone know the part numbers?
Thanks a bunch for any help!
LittleBeast
05/18/2014, 07:50 AM
Front CV shafts are the same from the green cup out. However if you are replacing the green cups, the lengths of the axle shafts connected to the green cups is different.

A reliable aftermarket shaft has not yet really been found. The aftermarket options available are not up to the quality that Isuzu made from the factory. I would suggest getting a used one or two from a junkyard and not going aftermarket.
Marlin
05/18/2014, 06:49 PM
If they are going to tear it down anyway, I would just swap to Trooper axles, much easier to find in a yard and CVs are plentiful with no mods required. Just get an entire 3rd gen trooper front axle assembly. Pop and swap, probably far less labor than pulling axle shafts and so on.
PK
05/19/2014, 01:13 AM
Check the diff ratio first.

PK
cheetah2390
05/19/2014, 07:02 AM
Thanks for the info! I am seeing 4.30 ratio, 43-10 teeth, S7C.
bartmanS4
05/19/2014, 10:47 AM
The Trooper diff ratio would likely be 4.56 so if you do a swap you'd have to do front and back diffs to match the ratio.
LittleBeast
05/19/2014, 01:05 PM
I would ask why he said you need to replace your front driveshafts. Just torn boots? Just replace boots, super easy. No need for replacement shafts unless the cage inside has blown to bits.
cheetah2390
05/19/2014, 01:13 PM
Yea I will ask him tonight what exactly needs to be replaced. He has 30+ years experience as a mechanic so I'm guessing its not just a torn boot. I did find a guy on craigslist parting out his 01 trooper with AT failure. I would need to drive an hour to pick up the axle but he said $100. I looked it up and it is the same ratio as our VX 4.30. Is $100 a good price?
JoFotoz
05/19/2014, 01:35 PM
If you use your VX on road only..
...and not off road..

...the Surtrack after market axles seem OK

But ON ROAD only..they bust off road...

...ask me how I know!!!

Jo
cheetah2390
05/19/2014, 02:45 PM
Front CV shafts are the same from the green cup out. However if you are replacing the green cups, the lengths of the axle shafts connected to the green cups is different.

A reliable aftermarket shaft has not yet really been found. The aftermarket options available are not up to the quality that Isuzu made from the factory. I would suggest getting a used one or two from a junkyard and not going aftermarket.

Do you mean they are the same length from the outer joint out?
LittleBeast
05/19/2014, 03:08 PM
Do you mean they are the same length from the outer joint out?

yes
Marlin
05/19/2014, 03:31 PM
I am almost positive that all hte 3rd gen Troopers are 4.30.
cheetah2390
05/22/2014, 07:13 AM
I found a brand that sells both the driver and passenger CV axle shafts:
http://www.davesdiscountautoparts.com/catalog-1/vehicle/isuzu/1999/vehicross/_/_/cv-half-shaft-assembly
LittleBeast
05/22/2014, 07:48 AM
I found a brand that sells both the driver and passenger CV axle shafts:
http://www.davesdiscountautoparts.com/catalog-1/vehicle/isuzu/1999/vehicross/_/_/cv-half-shaft-assembly

Those are surtrack's. They are not as good as OEM. Once again I would confirm as to why you really need new CV half shafts. If the current ones are not binding or completely blown to bits, you might just need to replace the boots and grease.

If you are in need of replacement CV half shafts, you would be better off getting OEM parts from a junkyard.
MSHardeman
05/22/2014, 09:30 AM
I found a brand that sells both the driver and passenger CV axle shafts:
http://www.davesdiscountautoparts.com/catalog-1/vehicle/isuzu/1999/vehicross/_/_/cv-half-shaft-assembly

Those are the exact half shafts that I bought and installed a few weeks ago. I haven't had an issue with them at all and they have been to, and through, Moab. I know others have warned not to use these off road, but I would argue that they are fine for moderate wheeling and are perfectly fine for on-road use.
JoFotoz
05/22/2014, 12:50 PM
AGREE 100% Mark...


I know others have warned not to use these off road, but I would argue that they are fine for moderate wheeling and are perfectly fine for on-road use.

True...they are NOT as strong as OEM....
But..having used them for both road, moderate and hard core wheeling..
.... you sum it up perfectly Mark :thumbup:

The tolerances for ball fit in green cup are spot on..
..as is spline fit and axle shaft diam.

If its Only for ON road use I would recommend these 100%.
If you wheel off road.... trails and bumps are fine..
...just dont rock crawl with them.

Jo
cheetah2390
05/22/2014, 01:35 PM
sounds good! thanks for the help everyone
LittleBeast
05/22/2014, 04:57 PM
Those are the exact half shafts that I bought and installed a few weeks ago. I haven't had an issue with them at all and they have been to, and through, Moab. I know others have warned not to use these off road, but I would argue that they are fine for moderate wheeling and are perfectly fine for on-road use.

Agreed, however there are far more factors then just road conditions. Driving style, weight of wheels and tires, among others. Fact is aftermarket is not as good. I am sure they will work for many people perfectly fine. But for the money I would get used OEM.