Tatton Driveshaft

[Kurt]

I grenade the rear driveshaft on my TJ at the last run and needed a new one.
Did a bit of Googling to see who others have used besides the usual.
Tatton's had glowing reviews everywhere I looked so I gave them a try.
I called on 6/29 and talked directly with Curtis Tatton the owner. He was in the midst of balancing a driveshaft. Stopped what he was doing and moved to his quiet office to talk and take my order. Very pleasant to deal with.
Placed my order for a 1310 to 1310 Double Cardan shaft.
In less than 7 business days the shaft showed up via UPS securely packed. $230 to my door.
Welds and workmanship look top notch & built with Spicer U-joints.

Tatton's
801-685-0056
139 W 4500 s.
Frontage Road #22
Murray, UT 84107

[BlackNBlue-ISH]

I'll have to price him out when I measure up for my rear double cardan 1330 rubicon shaft. Tom Woods wants $300 shipped to my door for theirs.

[Kurt]

Tatton looks to be the same price to your door. $265 + $35 shipping

You might be able to save some money if you have a tcase flange to re-use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-JEEP-RUBICO ... 4cf77cb4e7

[BlackNBlue-ISH]

The rearmost u-joint is pressed into the flange, so I think it would need to come with the flange installed. I know Tom woods has a lifetime warranty on the workmanship and it it fails, they'll replace it. They also use greasable spicer joints.

You think they are as good or better then a woody?

[Kurt]

Installing flange on the u-joint is very easy. Don't let that deter you from doing it.

I believe Tom uses his own version of u-joints and not Spicers. His have a yellow seal not blue like Spicers.
Toms warranty has exclusions so be sure to read the fine print.

It looks to be comparable to a Woody.
Planning on installing mine in the next day or so. I have to put on the F8.8 flange at the pinion end first though.
Looks very similar to the Rubi tcase flange.

[BlackNBlue-ISH]

Installing flange on the u-joint is very easy. Don't let that deter you from doing it.

I believe Tom uses his own version of u-joints and not Spicers. His have a yellow seal not blue like Spicers.
Toms warranty has exclusions so be sure to read the fine print.

It looks to be comparable to a Woody.
Planning on installing mine in the next day or so. I have to put on the F8.8 flange at the pinion end first though.
Looks very similar to the Rubi tcase flange.

Very good points Kurt.

I did some digging and you are quite correct. His joints are greasable, but not spicers. For the TJ Rubicon, Toms has two CV options, either 1310 or 1350, not 1330 like the rest of the joints on the shafts.

Tatton does come with Spicer Joints, and the 1330 joints. Thats a whole lot better because I only need to carry one kind of spare u-joint on the trail instead of two types.

Based on your review thus far and knowledge provided to me, i'm leaning towards a Tatton shaft. Thanks Kurt!

[BlackNBlue-ISH]

Just measured up and ordered the Tatton shaft. Turns out that the rubicon shaft they make doesn't have greasable or serviceable joints. I guess the rubicon has more vibrations then a non rubicon so they don't use the "looser" greasable joints or centering ball.

$290 shipped, at my door in 1-2 weeks.

[88jeepxj]

Ordered two shafts (front and rear) for my XJ from Tatton. Good guy to deal with and a great price on eBay (only $200 shipped each, prices have gone up since). They are great so far.

[del_TJ]

Reviving an old thread.

Going to order a front driveshaft from Tatton. Should I go with greaseable or non-greaseable u-joints? I see differing opinions on this... I have yet to blow up any u-joint so I'm leaning towards sticking to greasable even though they're not as strong. What do you think?

[Kurt]

I'd recommend greasable. They are under less stress that the axle u-joints.
1) They are normally running at a very low angle - less stress on the trunion
2) The torque they see is less due to the differential gearing

Since we play in dirt, water and mud it's good to flush the gunk out with fresh grease.

My $0.02

[Baseshakers]

Agreed, greasable. I had the factory CV joint (which is not greasable) overheat and seize on the highway... which split the TC in two. Now I am religious about greasing driveshafts.

[del_TJ]

Thanks guys! Greasable it is.

[Frank]

Is TW the only one putting the grease fitting in the bearing cap ? You are correct in saying TWs joints are his not Spicer. Having the fitting in the cap removes the trunion weakness . Grease is cheap ! In 15 yrs , I have never lost a U-Joint , Ball joint , TRE. Wash them and service them when your done . FjR68