Strange Engineering Addresses The Often Overlooked Slip Yoke Upgrade

Transmitting mechanical power and torque through rotation of the drivetrain has been a primary concern to front-engine/rear-wheel-drive cars from the beginning. Obviously, an engine cannot be directly connected to the rearend due to distance and the relative movement between the transmission and the rearend. Cars are built with other components that bridge the distance to carry torque and power.

Transmission yokes, driveshafts, universal joints, and rearend carriers are there to transmit the power and deal with the stress of input torque and load. Upgrades in the drivetrain are common, as enthusiasts and racers look to avoid adding weight but build strength in the drivetrain as their engine upgrades increase power.

Strange Engineering has been at the forefront in creating many of these drivetrain upgrade components and their new 1350 slip yokes will take care of an often overlooked component in the drivetrain.

Strange two-piece 1350-series transmission yoke for use with Turbo 400 with roller bearing extension housings. Part number U1678N.

Slip Yokes And U-Joints   

When it comes to power transmitted in the drivetrain, which universal joints are used makes a huge difference in the strength of the drivetrain. This doesn’t necessarily pertain to a brand as much as it does strength. Many automobiles use a 1310 series universal joint and slip yoke. These work great for stock-type daily drivers. Once you start adding engine performance, universal joints with larger trunnions are a necessary upgrade. However, It’s not as simple as buying a bigger universal joint. The yokes that connect to the universal joint must be upgraded to match the larger universal joint.

There are crossover-style U-joints that will allow a quick fit for a larger driveshaft with 1350 weld in yokes to fit together with a 1310 transmission slip yoke. If you plan on doing any weekend time at the local strip or carving a few corners on a local street course, these crossover u-joints are not recommended for a long-term solution.

Knowing slip yokes take a lot of abuse in high-performance applications, Strange’s two-piece 1350-series transmission yoke for GM Turbo 400 with 32-spline output shaft is made from severe duty 4340 billet Chromoly steel. These yokes are designed with U-joint caps instead of the stock-type U-bolt retainers to eliminate distortion of the caps and increase the holding power at the same time. They will pretty much hold up to anything you can throw at them.

Left: Part number U1678. Right: Part numberU1678N.

Specs

According to the press release, the two new part numbers (U1678 and U1678N) feature a version for roller bearing tail housings that are sized appropriately and include a special case hardened heat treatment for durability.

Strange two-piece 1350-series transmission yoke for bronze bushing extension housing (part number U1678):

Applications

  • Turbo 400
  • 4L80E
  • Super T-10 (second design)

Body

  • Billet 4340 Chromoly steel
  • Maximum strength for extreme applications
  • Additional material in critical areas
  • Black oxide finish for corrosion resistance
  • Designed and machined by Strange Engineering
  • Steel produced in the USA

Caps

  • Heat-treated billet Chromoly steel straps
  • ETD 150 steel studs
  • 12-point ARP distorted-thread locking nuts
  • Accepts 1350-series U-joint – larger U-joint than offered by OEM

For roller bearing extension housing applications, order part number U1678N for Turbo 400. This yoke features the same specs as above but is induction hardened for use with roller-bearing extension housings.

For more information on this or other drivetrain upgrade components, visit Strange Engineering online at www.strangeengineering.net.

Article Sources

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars in your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Street Muscle, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

We'll send you the most interesting Street Muscle articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


fordmuscle
Classic Ford Performance
dragzine
Drag Racing
chevyhardcore
Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • fordmuscle Classic Ford Performance
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • chevyhardcore Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading