Tom Woods vs JE Reel vs Adams and which SYE?

[psrivats]

For sure. I didn't even know what I needed after swapping in Rubicon axles. Shawn told me what measurements to take, asked me a few questions, and told me what I needed to order. I took his word, placed my order and they fit perfectly.

He knows his stuff.

When people don't realize is when someone as discerning and attentive and knowledgeable as Blaine says Tom Wood's is the way go is .. that is coming after dozens (emphasis on the plural) of builds over 20+ years, having seen every possible way things can get messed up. Most of us (including Jerry) has bought, what, 2 (or perhaps 3? 4? if you tend to flip your jeeps often) driveshafts in our lifetimes?

Folks at Tom Wood's do know their stuff.

 

[machoheadgames]

That's pretty much a cop-out. There are always going to be unreasonable folks who are unable to be satisfied. The difference is if you get more than a couple of sets of drivelines from Tom in a lifetime like some of us have, you learn after 100 of them or so, that all the good things folks say about them are actually true. They are fast, they are very good, they take care of business, they own up to any mistake however rarely they happen, and they have excellent prices especially for how good and how fast they are.

It wasn’t intended to be a recommendation for or against any of them and I certainly didn’t mean for it to be a cop-out. I’ve seen plenty of bad about people having vibration issues from all of them. There of course could be a number of reasons for that happening not related to the shafts and more due to the fault of the PO, but that’s hard to pinpoint. All I’m saying is I think the shaft success rate is about the same for any of them and probably not a single one is the “go-to” choice. I followed that up by stating what I used and that it simply worked fine, not that it’s a recommendation.

My next shaft will probably be from Wood simply due to them selling stock replicas and I don’t expect to have any problems with it.

 

[P man]

For me its going to be Tom Wood every time and here's why. I place a value on service much like I do on a dollar. In fact sometimes I don't even care how much something is because I am getting value in service plus the part or item I order. Every single damn time I try to save a buck it bites me in the ass and I end up spending more.

 

[mrblaine]

There of course could be a number of reasons for that happening not related to the shafts and more due to the fault of the PO, but that’s hard to pinpoint.

No, it isn't hard to pinpoint at all. 99% of the time, it is the fault of the guy doing the work on the rig.

 

[machoheadgames]

No, it isn't hard to pinpoint at all. 99% of the time, it is the fault of the guy doing the work on the rig.

Yes, but there are times where reading through a thread a guy sends it back 2-3 times and then gives up and goes with a different brand, and problem somehow ends up solved. What then? And again, I’ve watched threads like that from all of them.

 

[mrblaine]

Yes, but there are times where reading through a thread a guy sends it back 2-3 times and then gives up and goes with a different brand, and problem somehow ends up solved. What then? And again, I’ve watched threads like that from all of them.

Again, you missed how many TW shafts I've purchased and used. I've never had to send one back for a rebalance. I only left 1% on the table to be generous.

 

[machoheadgames]

Again, you missed how many TW shafts I've purchased and used. I've never had to send one back for a rebalance. I only left 1% on the table to be generous.

I didn’t miss anything. I know you’ve used them many times and I don’t discredit that experience. I didn’t realize you haven’t had to send any back, which is good for Tom’s track record and certainly makes me question the problems others had.

 

[Weasellee]

Again, you missed how many TW shafts I've purchased and used. I've never had to send one back for a rebalance. I only left 1% on the table to be generous.

2 cents

I’ve only purchased 3 shafts from Wood’s. Sent one back a year after purchasing to have it lengthened (Jeep got taller), they did it for free and covered return shipping. That was 20ish years ago. That shaft is still going with I believe only 1 full joint refresh. The other two left with another Jeep I sold. Those greaseable joints he uses are nice.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Those greaseable joints he uses are nice.

I am so glad I got away from my early 6 greasable u-joints to 6 sealed u-joints on my driveshafts. If you see a lot of mud there in NY greasable makes sense but it sure didn't for me on my dry dusty desert trails.

 

[Weasellee]

I am so glad I got away from my early 6 greasable u-joints to 6 sealed u-joints on my driveshafts. If you see a lot of mud there in NY greasable makes sense but it sure didn't for me on my dry dusty desert trails.

Ok, are y’all ready? I run Boggers or SX2’s. I play in the mud, yes I do. It’s the child that I am. I also spend way too much time cleaning the undercarriage of my Jeep.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Ok, are y’all ready? I run Boggers or SX2’s. I play in the mud, yes I do. It’s the child that I am. I also spend way too much time cleaning the undercarriage of my Jeep.

 

[P man]

View attachment 491362

I hate mud

 

[Rickyd]

No experience with adams,but i will say i was impressed with the person taking my order at tom woods. He knew what axles and transmission were in my tj just by giving him a measurement.He also knew off the top of his head which options i could pick based on that length.most salesmen have no idea whether the parts they are pushing will work

I want to get a front shaft some day and will be using them again!

 

[PNW_LJ]

View attachment 491362

I hate mud

Wussies..

 

[xXDavidCXx]

Wussies..

So you've never been under your jeep, or you wear a full hazmat suite when you do?

 

[PNW_LJ]

So you've never been under your jeep, or you wear a full hazmat suite when you do?

No, I just budget $20 for the self-service car wash after every trip.

 

[Rickyd]

So you've never been under your jeep, or you wear a full hazmat suite when you do?

The trick is to do a few creek crossings when you're done muddin.... then bust out a hose and a few beers. It only takes me 30 min or so. Including the inside of the frame rails

 

[PNW_LJ]

The trick is to do a few creek crossings when you're done muddin.... then bust out a hose and a few beers. It only takes me 30 min or so. Including the inside of the frame rails

This was several years ago. I do more rock stuff now, but mud has never scared me.

 

[mrblaine]

View attachment 491420

This was several years ago. I do more rock stuff now, but mud has never scared me.

I'm not afraid of it, I just don't like anything about it.

 

[macleanflood]

View attachment 491420

This was several years ago. I do more rock stuff now, but mud has never scared me.

More people should strap themselves in front of their vehicles and go mudding. Maybe a good spousal trust exercise or validation of how much of a friend your friend really is...

-Mac