driveshaft attachment different on 51 and 53

[Henry's HenryJs]

On my 51 the driveshaft U joint trunion mounts directly to the trany slip yoke and to the diff yoke. On the 53 the driveshaft U joints mount to circular plates and then into a recess on circular plates on both the trany and diff yoke. You can see the trany flange in this 53 pic.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The 1951-53 HJ Factory Shop Manual shows both the ball and trunion and u-joint "cross and yoke" types were used on the cars.

The book covers component parts in the two assemblies and repair of same.

[pnw_oldmags]

Just in case you did not know that Shop Manual is online to assist in your repair.
http://circlekf.com/kflit/SM/kfsm580.html

[Corsairdeluxe]

Jim... Correct me if I'm wrong.Wern't spicers used on all O.D. cars?

[Fid]

The Parts book lists the "Detroit" type (ball and trunion) was used on '53 Js without overdrive (likely to reduce noise/vibration) and the cross and yoke type were used on overdrive equipped cars. Both my '53s have OD and both have the cross and yoke type. Both are original/unmolested cars.

[HJ-ETEX]

U-Joints: Henry Js started with Spicer types and then switched to ball & trunion for the true 52s and then switched back for 53.
I would dispute the claim that all OD cars had Spicer u-joints. I do have an OD drive shaft for my 52 Allstate that has ball & trunion u-joints. If you have an HJ or Allstate with a ball & trunion driveshaft, I would recommend switching out the trans and rear end flanges and use a Spicer equipped driveshaft.

[HJ-ETEX]

And you should know about the orientation of the driveshaft. On a HJ with Spicer joints, the end with the slip yoke goes on the transmission. If you put the slip yoke end at the rear end, it gathers water, dirt & grit and wears out.
One of the better HJs in the Club had the driveshaft on backwards for several years.

[Fid]

I would dispute the claim that all OD cars had Spicer u-joints. I do have an OD drive shaft for my 52 Allstate that has ball & trunion u-joints.

As I mentioned in the previous post, the parts book states that all 1953 Henry Js with OD have the Spicer u-joints so no, not all of them do. It also states that all '52 Js, except Vagabonds, have the ball and trunion. Since the Allstate you make reference to is a '52 it is consistent with the factory parts book.