Driveshaft Loop

[Doenut]

Am looking for suggestions for a driveshaft loop

I'm not opposed to doing some welding to get the job done

Thanks

Dave

[jeffhelms56]

I used the Metco. Easy to install.

[egchewy79]

+1 on Metco
I think I got mine from another forum member who was not needing it. Once in a while you'll find forum members who will strike a deal w/ Metco to sell a certain number at a discounted price.
depending on you set up, you might need some spacers under the loop.

[Papa]

Another vote for the Metco hoop. Simple bolt on installation.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94617&d=1538592041

[Alan_C]

Where the driveshaft loop goes under the frame, it becomes the lowest point. Given the low ride height many run, I would be concerned about bottoming it out going through an intersection or a speed bump.
Other than that, a very nicely constructed piece. Forte used to sell his own kit that did not hang down below the chassis like this Metco part.

[Otee453]

Generic driveshaft loop. Easily modified for the roadster and welded to the tubes. I welded my own brackets to the inside of the frame tubes and bolted the hoop to the tabs. Total cost…. $25.
A little bit of cutting, drilling & welding.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g7900

[nucjd19]

I used the Metco. Easy to install.

I did the same. Have been very happy with it :)

[CaptB]

Looks like you loose about an inch on install for clearance would that be correct? Anyone bottomed one out? Since it's bolt on I guess if you scrape it you could clean it up and repaint.

[Flip Smiley]

Better Call Mike. Another vote for Fortes drive shaft loop. Easy install with no effect on ground clearance. Mike has supported the FFR crowd for years!

[CaptB]

Better Call Mike. Another vote for Fortes drive shaft loop. Easy install with no effect on ground clearance. Mike has supported the FFR crowd for years!

Oh snap didn't know he had one. I'll have him put it in the box with the 427 he's about to ship!

[GTBradley]

Am looking for suggestions for a driveshaft loop

I'm not opposed to doing some welding to get the job done

Thanks

Dave
I did my own (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?30668-GTBradley-s-build-a-caution-to-4-post-Bendpak-owners&p=392790&viewfull=1#post392790) with the help of a generic safety loop from Speed Master (https://www.speedmaster79.com/Heavy-Duty-Universal-Bolt-On-Driveshaft-Tail-Shaft-Loop-Safety-Loop-Kit). Cheaper, lighter and stays above the frame but a lot of labor.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=119269&d=1576899972

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Looks like you loose about an inch on install for clearance would that be correct? Anyone bottomed one out? Since it's bolt on I guess if you scrape it you could clean it up and repaint.

No has never bottomed out.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/637x850/trancradle1_40efcee5d8f3660d5b3b8b845f1900107544aa 19.jpg

About 15,000 miles when this was taken. Has gone over a lot of speedbumps.

[AC Bill]

I bought a universal safety hoop that can be used on numerous cars because there are so many adjustments that can be made as required. No clearance concerns.

[Alex_V]

Any recorded issues with a rogue driveshaft causing damage to warrant a safety loop?

[Papa]

Any recorded issues with a rogue driveshaft causing damage to warrant a safety loop?

Yes...

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118046&d=1574704337

[cobrajj]

171242 171243

Here's the Forte driveshaft safety hoop on my MK3.

[Alex_V]

Interesting. Just to be a devils advocate, it looks like the existing structure was enough to protect the driver and the occupant. I personally don't see a need for additional re-enforcement based on limited experience reading the forums.

[Papa]

Low probability for sure, but very cheap insurance.

[Ducky2009]

Interesting. Just to be a devils advocate, it looks like the existing structure was enough to protect the driver and the occupant. I personally don't see a need for additional re-enforcement based on limited experience reading the forums.

Just think, if the front U Joint fails and the drive shaft cocks sideways and locks up the rear wheels, at 70 MPH. You only have to break one to find out how bad it can get. Ask me how I know. :(

[Jacob McCrea]

For what it's worth: Years ago I watched a rear u-joint fail on a lifted Chevy square-body truck as it passed me at maybe 35 miles per hour. The driveshaft repeatedly banged against the left spring, then the ground, the other leaf spring, the bottom of the bed, then the first leaf spring again as it tried to straighten out from the centrifugal force. Having witnessed that spectacle I have driveshaft loops on both u-joints. Overkill? Maybe. But it's a lot more comforting than none.

It was posted here in a previous discussion, but I seem to remember that the driver of the car pictured above had a broken hip from the ordeal.

[Railroad]

When you go-cart your build, leave the console top metal off and watch the drive shaft. That is a pretty hefty piece of metal, spinning pretty fast, right next to you. It does not have to travel very far to bite you.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Interesting. Just to be a devils advocate, it looks like the existing structure was enough to protect the driver and the occupant. I personally don't see a need for additional re-enforcement based on limited experience reading the forums.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118046&d=1574704337

[nucjd19]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118046&d=1574704337

As a physician that picture is terrifying. The amount of trauma the kinetic energy of something with that mass can impart on soft tissue is devastating. Glad I installed a loop on mine.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

As a physician that picture is terrifying. The amount of trauma the kinetic energy of something with that mass can impart on soft tissue is devastating. Glad I installed a loop on mine.

Agree. One of the guys who used to post here lost a Ujoint & was beat up pretty bad by the drive shaft.

[Alec]

Mike Forte doesn't have them anymore (told me today). Metco it is!

[narly1]

As a physician that picture is terrifying. The amount of trauma the kinetic energy of something with that mass can impart on soft tissue is devastating. Glad I installed a loop on mine.

The close proximity of these rotating parts to me is why my creation will be fitted with a flex plate shield, a transmission case shield and a driveshaft loop.

Earl

[Rook]

I installed a Metco Driveshaft Safety Loop recently. See picture below.

-The mount sits only half an inch below the frame tube. Clearance doesn't seem concerning. I haven't bumped it on anything yet, including speed humps in my neighborhood and the rounded hump of my driveway that my daily driver sometimes rubs on. Fingers crossed!
-I added 1 and 1/6 inches of spacers to get the hoop to a height that sees the driveshaft going straight through it and allows the e-brake cables to run THROUGH it. This is with a T56 trans and IRS, and an Estopp e-brake module mounted to the the transmission A-frame.
-I added a couple of nylon spacers on the frame tube in order to guide the e-brake cables away from rubbing on the sharp edge of the chassis at the back of the cockpit. Tapped the tube for 1/4"x28 bolts, maybe an inch and half long. Another great Jeff Kleiner idea!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=172366&d=1663012017

[toadster]

Interesting. Just to be a devils advocate, it looks like the existing structure was enough to protect the driver and the occupant. I personally don't see a need for additional re-enforcement based on limited experience reading the forums.

depends on if you'd rather spend $110 on a safety loop, or $110k on a hip replacement...

same goes for a steel bellhousing, do you like your ankles?

[AROCK]

I have been drag racing since 1962. I raced before there was tech checking for non existing safety equipment. In those days I have seen legs and feet destroyed because of a non safety bell housing. I have also seen drivers lose legs for lack of a safety loop on drive shafts.
The past 35 years you can't get on a track without a driveshaft loop or a steel bell housing or scatter shields. They are require for the safety of the driver..
I just finished my 427 MK4 roadster and the first thing I orded for my complete kit was the Metco drive shaft loop.
My NHRA drivers classification was 5 seconds and below. I was in the pro classification. So I know a little about car safety.

[mladen]

TIL that there is something called a driveshaft loop, and that I might want one for my build. Adding it to the list :)

[niceguy]

I have had the bolt on Metco driveshaft hoop on my cobra for many years, simple bolt on installation. The driveshaft hoop is one of the most important safety items to have installed on your Cobra.

For any Factory Five owners within 2 hours drive time of my hometown I will come help you install it. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM.

I have been a tech inspector for truck and tractor pulling for over 40 years and have seen many drive-lines come apart. Some vehicles the drive shaft must be fulling enclosed depending on engines and vehicle. For the past few years I'm the Regional tech director for Lucas Oil Pro Pulling series.

[Doenut]

Thanks for all of the Help here

I got mine installed over the weekend
I was concerned about having less ground clearance so I went with the low budget one and fabbed up some mounts

Thanks Again

Dave

172509

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

Interesting. Just to be a devils advocate, it looks like the existing structure was enough to protect the driver and the occupant. I personally don't see a need for additional re-enforcement based on limited experience reading the forums. I see what you are saying however if the driveshaft come loose and gets pointed down then the car might get up on 3 or even 2 wheels...... making a mess a much bigger mess.