Driveshaft: Bill’s Englewood DS versus Tom Woods

[Cruisertrash]

Front driveshaft on my 60 needs replaced - getting ugly sounds in 4WD from the front and I’ve narrowed it down to either the DS or the t-case output flange. Whatever the case, Bill’s checked it out and the splines have a lot of wear and the front u-joint has play. It’s the 40 year old stock drive shaft and this truck has had a shackle reversal for around 20 years. It’s time for rebuild or replacement.

So …. $390 at Bill’s Englewood Driveshaft, $490 at Tom Woods. What is the extra $100 at TW buying me?

Bill’s will replace all three u-joints with Toyota parts, new splines, and because of my high angle they’ll clearance everything too. I get no binding just driving on the street, but it's tight so it might bind with articulation. TW would obviously be completely new, tubes and all, and supposedly designed for a lift, which is a bit of a vague statement. What u-joints do they use?

 

[Rzeppa]

I don't know about Bill's, but the guys down at Englewood Driveshaft told me they repair a lot of Tom Woods driveshafts that weren't done right. I have absolutly no first hand experience with either Bill's or Tom Woods, but I had a very good experience at Englewood.

 

[Cruisertrash]

I don't know about Bill's, but the guys down at Englewood Driveshaft told me they repair a lot of Tom Woods driveshafts that weren't done right. I have absolutly no first hand experience with either Bill's or Tom Woods, but I had a very good experience at Englewood.

Bill’s = Bill’s Englewood Driveshaft on Broadway and Floyd.

Edited the first post for clarity.

 

[subzali]

I like Bill’s. Tried Front Range driveline and wasn’t too happy with the attitude and the longer turnaround. Bills used my Toyota u joints that I brought to them and had it done next day. Tom Woods has a good name but I’ve never used them. I think there’s something to be said for a company who can look at what you’ve got and make judgment calls from there. Maybe Tom Woods can do it better but it’s all based on info you have to provide to them. And then there is the turnaround time.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I don't know why someone anywhere near Englewood Driveshaft wouldn't use them. They're probably one of the few shops that really know about Toyota stuff. You walk in and they've already identified it as "From an early 90s Toyota pickup" and know you need to keep the double cardan and can use only Toyota u-joints.

 

[Cruisertrash]

To be clear, I’m most likely going through Bill’s/Englewood. Every time I’ve been in there they are very knowledgeable about my old 60. I guess what I’m getting at here is what would I even get with the Tom Woods for another $100?

 

[Crash]

Support your local vendors that have earned solid reviews.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I just got a brand new DC shaft from Tom Woods for my 80 a few weeks ago. I went with them because it was much cheaper than the LandTank shaft (and it was out of stock) and the Slee DC shaft was more expensive and also out of stock.

I was not aware of Bill’s/Englewood at the time otherwise they would have been considered.

I did get some sweet stickers with my TW shaft. And it it was delivered two days after I ordered it. Pretty fast service if you ask me.

 

[DomOfTheDead]

I have used Englewood Bill a few times and always had good results and pricing. Cheaper than front range driveline and he actually wheels too. Bill in his nice built suburban helped me on a self recovery requiring multiple vehicles once many years ago on Wheeler lake after a bad line choice.

 

[DaveInDenver]

To be clear, I’m most likely going through Bill’s/Englewood. Every time I’ve been in there they are very knowledgeable about my old 60. I guess what I’m getting at here is what would I even get with the Tom Woods for another $100?

I think I hear what you're saying about wanting to do it right. It's just my $0.02 that the way I approach this is to ask myself should I spend more for some reason. I'm more than willing to spend what it costs for quality (or just to support local given a choice). I want to spend enough but not more than necessary.

Here, yeah, Bill is pretty much an ideal example of giving you everything you need (quality parts, good labor, honesty) without any fluff. What you see is what you get.

Not that Tom Woods is a bad choice (I can't say personally) but I don't think you can find someone more suited for straight up 4WD Toyota shafts than Bill, I really don't. And that he's local and a little cheaper is just added benefit.

If it makes you feel better you could bring him a case of beer and tip him $50 so that you end up spending the same.

 

[Cruisertrash]

I think I hear what you're saying about wanting to do it right. It's just my $0.02 that the way I approach this is to ask myself should I spend more for some reason. I'm more than willing to spend what it costs for quality (or just to support local given a choice). I want to spend enough but not more than necessary.

Here, yeah, Bill is pretty much an ideal example of giving you everything you need (quality parts, good labor, honesty) without any fluff. What you see is what you get.

Not that Tom Woods is a bad choice (I can't say personally) but I don't think you can find someone more suited for straight up 4WD Toyota shafts than Bill, I really don't. And that he's local and a little cheaper is just added benefit.

If it makes you feel better you could bring him a case of beer and tip him $50 so that you end up spending the same.

You absolutely nailed the heart of my question: I want to do it right, and to that end I’m wondering if I should spend the extra $100, because I will spend what it takes to have something reliable - but what is that buying me? I suspect nothing but the “pedigree” of the Tom Woods name.

@Crash I always prefer to support the expert mom and pop shops and going into this post I was about 90% sure I would go with Bill’s. Now I’m at 100%. Part of that is - surprise - they rebuilt the front drive shaft on my previous 60 and did a great job with great service/experience.

Ok, looks like I’ll be getting a Bill’s front DS in the next week or two when I have time to pull it and drop it off. Hopefully it solves the noise from the front end in 4WD - and if not, at least I know the DS will be solid for years to come.

 

[Pz10420]

I bought a tom woods dc shaft for my 80 a little over a year ago. Developed play in the dc joint in less than 10k miles. Obviously, I would not recommend them at this point.

 

[gungriffin]

Bill's in Englewood completely rebuilt my rear driveshaft recently. It is a custom length shaft. They replaced swapped the U Joints with Toyota parts that I provided and then re-sleeved the driveshaft in a thicker DOM tubing that would be stronger and more resistant to impact when wheeling. It cost about $280. I am pretty impressed with their work and knowledge so far.

 

[L43dean]

Bill's all the way!
and while you're there you can pick up a new bannock and a jack knife at the army surplus store about two blocks south.

 

[Stuckinthe80s]

I guess I'm going to have to look at Bill's again the next time I need shafts made. I've had 3 sets of shafts made at Front Range Driveline and I thought the service and price was great! The turn around sucked on the set I had made in 2021, but everybody had long lead times back then. The set I had made this year, he had it done within a couple of days. This most recent set, he was knowledgeable enough to know that I brought in a 100 series front shaft by accident vs. an 80 series shaft and it kept me from waiting any longer than I had to. He was able to shorten the front and extend the rear and have it back to me in about 3 days. I haven't ran them yet, but I'm sure they'd honor their work if something was wrong.