So I bought this truck a couple months ago and the guy had added a lift, don't think he did much maintenance aside from changing the oil. Anyways, I had a certain grinding sound come about only on initial acceleration and when I let off the gas pedal to a certain degree and I couldn't tack down the sound for the longest time. I was poking around on the truck on a whim the other day and saw this and I'm guessing it has to do with the lift added to the truck but I don't know for sure.
My main reason for posting is to find out what I can do to fix this, the metal around the ujoint seems to be ground down some so I'm betting if I just let it sit at that speed it would eventually grind down enough I wouldn't hear the sound haha.
Any recommendations about what I can do to fix this?

 

The drive shaft angle is wrong !!! because of the lift .. You should be able to get some shims to fit under the spring pearches to correct it..
Something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Superlift-Dr...QAAOSwmfhX2xlP

 

Whats involved in the process? I know 0% about lifts, mainly an engine guy haha. Honestly would remove the lift if I could, I don't see the point of it...

 

Looks like you found the problem...... The wedges reset the pinion angle... Loosen the diff from the spring and install to reset the pinion to the proper angle. If your unsure on how that all work. It would be allot safer for you to find a 4X4 guy in your area that knows this kind of stuff to help you out. Its kind of one of those things you can get hurt with....

 

Should I be worried about the damage thats been done already or is it whatever? Thanks for the advice, probably something I can manage myself.

 

It would probably have short U joint life... Could damage the trans. Because the other end is also probably out

 

Looks like someone has put U-Joints in it not so long ago... I'm sure it's been living like that for some time? That kink of stress have been known to break yokes, U-Joints, Fling the shaft around when it breaks and tear chit up., Damage Transfer cases, and knock mounts out. Just a few thing that can go wrong.
Some folks just say 'The heck with it' and run them... And thats fine, they get away with it without issue, other get bit in the butt with that choice...
Just remember, we are going off what we see and so on, we are not there to get the full scope....

Just my 2 cents... Hope this help... No matter what.... Have fun and dont get hurt...

 

Without knowing how aggressively the previous owner drove the truck could lead you to a false security. I say this because I would end up using the truck in the woods and that's where extra suspension travel would break it at the wrong time in the wrong place, stranded in the woods.

 

I would fix it soon. That is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

The guy before only used it for when he went hunting, so he says..
I am definitely wanting to get this done as quick as possible but not sure the most cost effective way to do it since I've been reading up on this theres some differing opinions on the best way.
Funny, for the longest time I thought the vibrations I was feeling was from wheel bearings, but i got in there and the bearings looked perfect.
Of course I figure this out right before winter and I'm in the middle of another project...
So far the best route seems to be shims, yay or nay?

 

The guy that owned it before me knew **** all about maintenance it seemed, I got it and saw wires arcing off the headers right away, makes me wonder what else I should be looking at...
Wondering now if it'd be more effective to just remove the lift, I have access to a full on shop and can do it myself and have tires and I can throw on, no idea if that'd be a better route or not

 

Not sure what the previous owner did to lift it. If you have to shorten the drive shafts and get different shock absorbers and other parts, it may be easier and cheaper to get the driveline straighten. Take it to a shop that specializes in off road conversions. They will advise you what would be best.

 

Refuse to go to a shop, why pay twice as much for something you can do if you can read and google if you're halfway good with a wrench.
Found blocks jacking up the rear which i can remove, was going to drop the axle anyway eventually. My friend said that I might just need new leaf springs in the front, I can't find what's lifting up the front.

 

Something more like this>>>>> https://www.google.com/search?q=2000...AQ6ZETmZJKM%3A