Is there any rule of thumb for driveshaft length before you need a center carrier bearing? A neighbor is building a 52 Ford F250 and needs to know if he will have to use a two piece driveshaft.
Yes there is. To make it simple, single shaft diameter gets larger with length and then gets split into two depending on length, space, diameter. First step. Get the chassis together and get a known rough length from the end of the tranny to the front of the rearend. If it is over 65", then consideration for a two piece STEEL shaft should be used. Aluminum can get longer on a $single $shaft if a usable donor can't be found. Need more? If with a two piece, angles will be critical to make everything work together. Guidance?
Hardy Spicer chart. As for length check www.iedls.com or www.dennysdriveshaft.com I read something on these sites a while ago as to lengths.