Upgrading Your Cummins & Ram 2500–3500: Converting from a stock swedged or two piece steel to a 1-Piece 5″ Aluminum Driveshaft (1997–2024)

Convert your 1997–2024 Cummins or Ram 2500/3500 from its factory two-piece driveshaft to a one-piece 5″ aluminum driveshaft. Action Machine’s heavy-duty conversion driveshaft eliminates carrier bearing failures, fixes vibration issues, and tubing that can handle up to 7,000 ft-lbs of torque for towing or high-horsepower builds.

The Problem: Why 2-Piece Driveshafts Fail on Cummins & Ram Trucks

If you own a 2nd Gen Cummins (1997–2002), 3rd Gen Ram 2500/3500 (2003–2009), 4th Gen Ram HD (2010–2018), or 5th Gen Ram 2500/3500 (2019–2024), chances are your truck came with a factory 2-piece driveshaft and a mid-carrier bearing.

While that design helps manage long wheelbase configurations, it’s also a major source of vibration and failure, especially under heavy towing, added power, or lift kits. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent driveshaft vibration or “shudder” at highway speed
• Carrier bearing failures (often multiple replacements or they are not replaceable at all)
• U-joint wear or “clunk” on takeoff
• Misalignment when the truck is lifted or loaded
• Expensive, recurring repairs

After years of building custom driveshafts for Cummins and Ram owners, we’ve seen the same story over and over. That’s why we designed our Action Machine 5″ Aluminum One-Piece Conversion Driveshaft, engineered to eliminate those weak points for good.

The Solution: Action Machine’s 5″ Aluminum One-Piece Conversion Driveshaft

Our 1-piece 5-inch aluminum driveshaft replaces your OEM two-piece setup entirely, removing the carrier bearing and combining both sections into one high-strength, precision-balanced shaft.

Each driveshaft is built from premium Arconic seamless 6061-T8 aluminum tubing (5″ OD, 1/8″ wall thickness) and rated for over 7,000 ft-lbs of torque, more than enough for 1,000+ horsepower Cummins builds.

Every unit is fully assembled and high-speed balanced with the slip yoke installed, no extra parts, no kits to piece together. Just bolt it in and drive.

Highlights:

• Direct-fit replacement for 1997–2024 Ram 2500 & 3500 4×4
• Eliminates carrier bearing, reducing vibration and driveline failure points
• 5″ OD aluminum upgrade driveshaft, lighter, stronger, smoother
• Built with Spicer 1410/1550 series or American Axle 1485 series U-joints
• Handles up to 7,000 ft-lbs torque / 1,000+ HP
• Safe for up to 6″ of suspension lift
• Fits all cab and bed configurations (see below)

Fitment: 1997–2024 Ram 2500 & 3500 4×4 Configurations

Our one-piece Cummins driveshaft upgrade fits every major configuration:

• Cab & Chassis
• Crew Cab (Long Bed / Short Bed)
• Mega Cab (Long Bed / Short Bed)
• Quad Cab (Long Bed / Short Bed)
• Regular Cab (Long Bed / Short Bed)

We build each driveshaft to your truck’s exact length and angle specifications. Measuring is quick and easy, just follow our diagram before ordering.

Note: Most Ram 4×4 trucks will require removal of the carrier-bearing crossmember for clearance.

Generational Overview: 2nd to 5th Gen Cummins Driveshaft Conversion

2nd Gen Cummins (1997–2002)

• Factory 2-piece driveshaft with smaller 1410 U-joints
• Frequent vibration under towing or lift

3rd Gen Ram 2500/3500 (2003–2009)

• OEM 2-piece with carrier bearing prone to early wear
• Upgrade eliminates mid-bearing vibration at highway speeds
• Compatible with 1485 and 1550 U-joints

4th Gen Ram HD (2010–2018)

• Longer wheelbase and heavier torque output make the one-piece conversion ideal for towing or tuned trucks
• Upgrade from factory 1480 joints to 1550 for maximum strength

5th Gen Ram 2500/3500 (2019–2024)

• Improved OEM aluminum shafts, but still thinner and weaker (0.095″ wall)
• Our 5″ conversion driveshaft is thicker, stronger, and built to handle torque mods or large tires

U-Joint Options: Matching Power and Use

We build every driveshaft to your needs, from stock daily drivers to 1,000+ HP pulling trucks.

Many Ram 4×4 trucks share the same slip-yoke and flange pattern, allowing you to upgrade to larger U-joints without changing your pinion yoke.

Why Upgrade to an Aluminum Driveshaft?

• Reduced vibration: One-piece design eliminates the carrier bearing and improves driveline balance.
• Lighter weight: Lower rotating mass improves throttle response and ride feel.
• Corrosion resistant: Unlike steel, aluminum won’t rust or corrode.
• Stronger and safer: 5″ OD tubing with a 1/8″ wall, stronger than OEM shafts.
• Smoother ride: Precision balancing delivers quieter operation, even at highway speeds.

When you see other aluminum driveshafts with tubing that’s larger in the middle and smaller at the ends, that’s swedged tubing. This design uses thin-wall 0.075-inch aluminum, the same light-duty OEM material found on many factory shafts.

Our 1/8-inch thick tube features an even wall thickness and stays perfectly straight from end to end for vibration-free operation and incredible torque performance.

Cheaper shafts also cut corners elsewhere:

• Conversion or greaseable U-joints: These “step-down” designs aren’t as strong as our cold-forged solid-cross U-joints, which run tighter and last longer.
• Cast weld yokes: Many budget driveshafts use cast steel ends that weaken over time. Ours are USA-made forged weld yokes for superior strength and precision.

You simply can’t compare the quality, durability, and lifespan of our 5″ aluminum conversion driveshaft with any lower-cost alternative on the market.

Every driveshaft we ship is hand-welded, high-speed balanced, and backed by our lifetime weld warranty and 1-year unlimited-mile parts warranty.

What is a driveshaft conversion?

A conversion driveshaft replaces your factory two-piece shaft with a one-piece aluminum upgrade driveshaft, eliminating the center carrier bearing for smoother, stronger operation.

Will converting to a one-piece 5″ aluminum driveshaft fix my vibration?

Hopefully yes, most Ram vibration issues come from the carrier bearing or joint misalignment. Our precision-balanced 1-piece shaft eliminates that weak link.

Do I need to remove the carrier bearing bracket?

Yes, you will always need to remove the carrier bearing bracket.

Can I run this driveshaft with a lift kit?

Yes, our driveshafts are safe for up to 6″ of lift. Beyond that, we recommend verifying driveline angles.

Is the 5″ aluminum driveshaft strong enough for towing and diesel torque?

Absolutely. Each shaft is rated for over 7,000 ft-lbs of torque, suitable for trucks making over 1,000 horsepower. Aluminum construction offers incredible strength-to-weight and resists corrosion.

Can I upgrade my U-joint size?

Yes, many Ram 4×4 trucks allow U-joint upsizing without changing yokes.

Does it fit all Cummins generations?

Yes, fits 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen Ram 2500/3500 trucks from 1997 through 2024, including Mega Cab, Crew Cab, and Regular Cab 4×4 models.

What about 2WD trucks?

This model is designed for 4×4 Ram HDs. We can also build custom 2WD driveshafts, just provide your measurements.

What’s included?

Each driveshaft comes fully assembled and high-speed balanced with the slip yoke and flange yoke installed.

What’s the warranty?

• Lifetime on welds
• 1-Year unlimited miles on all parts

Where is it made?

Every Action Machine driveshaft is engineered and built in South Bend, Indiana, by our in-house driveline experts.

Ready to Convert Your Cummins or Ram Driveshaft?

Whether you’re chasing down 2nd Gen Cummins driveshaft vibrations, upgrading your 4th Gen Ram 2500, or building a 5th Gen 3500 pulling truck, Action Machine’s 5″ aluminum one-piece conversion driveshaft is the solution trusted by diesel owners nationwide.

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