The message shown above is printed on a t-shirt by one of our newest vendors, and we think this sums up beautifully what their product is all about.
Five Nine Fabrication is a Ram Turbo Diesel parts company based in Wisconsin that manufactures a preventive solution for the secondary damage a front driveshaft failure can cause. A driveshaft failure can spiral out of control. Damage to brake, transmission and fuel lines, the wiring harnesses, the transmission housing and even the cab floor may result. Many sanctioned sled pulling and drag racing events require driveshaft loops for these very real safety concerns.
Five Nine Fab have designed a line of affordable front driveshaft loops for our trucks to help prevent damage in the event of a front driveshaft failure.
We are happy to add their Front Driveshaft Loop Kits to our parts line up. Applications include 1994-2024 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. Prices range from $100-130.
The following press release originally published in the Turbo Diesel Register magazine, Issue 127, pages 106-107.
WHY EXACTLY DOES YOUR TRUCK NEED A DRIVESHAFT LOOP?
The Problem with Front Driveshafts
The front driveshaft on any four-wheel-drive truck presents a unique challenge. Unlike the rear driveshaft, the front incorporates a Constant Velocity (CV) joint to accommodate the slight upward angles at both ends of the shaft. In the case of most of our trucks, the CV joint is, more specifically, a double-cardan style CV joint (more on that later). The output flange on the front side of the transfer case is at an upward angle and so is the input flange on the front axle. A standard universal joint will bind under this geometry, so the solution is a double-cardan joint on the front driveshaft at the transfer case.
As seen in the illustration above, there is a ball and socket joint between the universal joints that keeps each u-joint at the same angle, relative to the intermediate yoke. This is what makes this joint a “constant velocity” joint. It is critical to the life of the driveshaft. Proper maintenance, including regular greasing as recommended by Chrysler, is essential to prevent catastrophic failures. This ball and socket joint is responsible for most front driveshaft failures on our trucks. On many of our trucks, the front axle is driving this driveshaft at all times, whether or not four-wheel-drive is engaged. When the ball and socket joint fails, the pair of u-joints flop around, run out of balance, and it will literally tear the transfer case apart!
Greasing this joint is a challenge and requires a special tip for your grease gun. It is not easy to find, nor is it in an easy spot to access. In my experience, it’s also difficult to tell whether or not the joint is actually taking grease. I’m not saying you shouldn’t grease this joint, but I am saying that I never get a warm fuzzy feeling after greasing mine.
Below are images of the needle required for greasing the double-cardan ball and the location of the grease fitting.
The front driveshafts in heavy-duty Ram trucks are prone to failure due to a number of factors, and many are dependent on your generation of truck.
Other Causes of Driveshaft Failure
In addition to double-cardan failure, there are other factors that can cause a driveshaft failure. Sometimes balancing weights fly off of the driveshaft during operation and cause vibration leading, to a failure. Loose driveshaft bolts can cause the driveshaft to separate from the drive flange, causing damage to the surrounding components. Aggressive driving in four-wheel drive can also cause a failure. Driveshaft loops are mandatory in most sanctioned sled pulling and drag racing rules!
The Costly Domino Effect of Driveshaft Failures
When a driveshaft fails, it can lead to a domino effect of damages. Often, the weakest link in the system gives way, which can be the transfer case. The free-swinging driveshaft, no longer restrained by the transfer case, can wreak havoc by damaging brake lines, transmission lines, fuel lines, wiring harnesses, and transmission pan, and can even rupture the cab floor. The result? Costly repairs, including bell housings and transmission housings, and potentially dangerous situations, such as fires caused by ruptured lines and sparks.
1989-1992 (First Generation) Trucks
These trucks have manual locking hubs and don’t seem to have as many issues as the newer trucks. Unless the hubs are locked, the front driveshaft isn’t being driven while on the highway. There are, however, cases where manual locking hubs can fail “locked” and put your truck at risk during a driveshaft failure. Many folks convert their newer trucks to manually locking hubs to avoid front driveshaft failures! We haven’t released a driveshaft loop kit for the First Generation trucks yet, but we’re working on one!
1994-2002 (Second Generation) Trucks
The Center Axle Disconnect (CAD) system is supposed to prevent the driveshaft from spinning when you’re in two-wheel-drive, right? This is correct. However, the CAD systems seem to have had very poor longevity, and today many of these systems are no longer working. Many owners opt to delete these kits altogether, so their truck goes in and out of four-wheel-drive reliably. A driveshaft failure can still occur on a truck with a CAD system.
2003-2018 (Third and Fourth Generation) Trucks
Unlike earlier models equipped with locking hubs or Center Axle Disconnect (CAD) systems, these newer trucks have front driveshafts constantly engaged with the front wheels. Although there isn’t significant torque applied to these components, this continuous motion increases wear and tear. These trucks are notorious for catastrophic front driveshaft failures.
2019-Up (4.5 Generation) Trucks
The 4.5 Generation Rams have a different joint at the transfer case. Instead of a double-cardan, Ram decided to use a more traditional style CV joint, like you might see on the half-shafts of an independent front suspension. We believe this change had to do with the problems owners were experiencing with their Double Cardan Joints. These joints, however, come with their own set of challenges. On trucks that have been lifted, even slightly, owners are reporting ripped grease boots on these joints. When the boots rip, the grease flies out, leaving the joint to dry out and become contaminated with dirt and road debris. When these joints dry out, they too will fail with a high potential of damaging other expensive components.
Your Cost-Effective Solution
How can you protect your truck should you have a front driveshaft failure! For less than the price of a single tank of fuel, you can safeguard your truck from thousands of dollars in damages!
Our driveshaft loops are specifically designed to prevent secondary damage during a driveshaft failure. While they don’t substitute regular maintenance and inspection of your driveshaft, they serve as a proactive measure to minimize collateral damage in the event of a failure. By containing the driveshaft, they reduce the likelihood of harming other vital and expensive components.
Our driveshaft loop kits feature CNC laser cut, powder coated 1/4” plate steel construction, made right here in the USA. All necessary high-tensile hardware is included, there is no drilling required, and shipping is free! Driveshaft loop kits retail for $100-$130 and could save you thousands in secondary damage.
Investing in a driveshaft loop is a small price to pay compared to the potential damages and dangers associated with driveshaft failures. Don’t leave the safety of your truck and your wallet to chance. Take proactive steps to protect your investment.
About Us
Five Nine Fabrication is owned and operated by Randy Schamberger, a Mechanical Engineer with over a decade of experience as a product design and product testing engineer in the heavy equipment industry. Randy grew up working on Cummins Turbo Diesel powered Ram trucks and enjoys applying his engineering skills to design solutions for common problems faced by other truck enthusiasts. In addition to driveshaft loops, Five Nine Fab offers custom parts for First Generation trucks, including fan shrouds, radiator cover kits, cold air intake kits, and more! When Randy isn’t working or doing his fatherly duties, he spends his free time thinking about and creating new products, but also working on his trucks and other shop projects.
DRIVE SHAFT LOOP KITS BY FIVE NINE FAB
Options for 1994-2024 Ram 2500 & 3500 Turbo Diesel Trucks
Prices range from $100-$130.
Available at: Geno’s Garage
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