Topic: How Do I Tell The Size of My U-Joints?

[tlucier]

Hey guys.  I've got an '01 TJ.  The previous owner installed a 6" Rought Country X-Series lift, a SYE, and a Tom Woods drive shaft.  I'd like to be a little prepared when I take it off road so I want to carry extra u-joints.  How do I tell the size of the u-joints?  Does the Tom Woods drive shaft use larger u-joints?

Thanks for your help.

[Jeffy]

It depends on which ones you're looking at.  Driveshaft or axle.  Driveshaft should use a 1310 while the axle uses a 297x.  I forget if TJ's use a combo U-joint like some of the later YJ's.  Those are 1310/1330's I think.  In any case Tom should know what he's talking about.

[tlucier]

Thanks for the info Jeff.  I plant to carry spare u-joints for both the drive shaft and the axle.  I need to get myself home if I do anything stupid on the trail.

[Jeffy]

Thanks for the info Jeff.  I plant to carry spare u-joints for both the drive shaft and the axle.  I need to get myself home if I do anything stupid on the trail.

You might want to check out the new U-joints for the 5-297x's.  They have a newer 5-760x are supposed to be stronger then the 5-297x's.  But here's the problem.  Would you rather have the weak point at the U-joint or the axle shaft?  It's probably better to make the 'fuse' at the driveshaft U-joint though.

[Jesse-James]

I couldn't find the 297's when I did mine. They only carried the 760.

[Jeffy]

I couldn't find the 297's when I did mine. They only carried the 760.

I believe Spicer stopped making the 297x's but you can find off brands.