Yokes
Driveline yokes present their own set of challenges because there are several variations. It is up to the informed enthusiast to choose the right one. The slip-yoke slides back and forth at the transmission's tailshaft, hence the name. There are two basic slip-yoke types (although there are many variations of the two types): 28-spline for small-block transmissions such as the C4, Top Loader, T-10, and T5; the 32-spline (larger) for big-block applications such as the C6, big-block Top Loader, T45 (if you're running a Modular V-8), and Super T10. The factory slip-yokes are made of cast iron and machined steel alloy.
The factory shaft is a 2.749-inch outside diameter tube. This calls for a 3.000-inch tube from Inland Empire Driveline. Be it aluminum or steel, we want 3.000 inches. The aluminum tube has a .125-inch-thick wall. Steel is .083-inch thick. Because aluminum isn't as strong as steel, it calls for a thicker wall to give us strength. In some instances, we need a 3.5-inch or 4.0-inch outside diameter aluminum tube when serious power gains are expected. | 
Each end of the shaft is fitted with its universal joints. |
The front of the shaft gets the slip-yoke. Universal joints are pressed into the ends, and the C-clips are installed and checked for securtiy. | |
When you are pumping up the power, you're going to need more yoke and the corresponding universal joint. When horsepower rises above 500, a 1310 joint will not stand up to the torque. And because we like to see a measure of safety demonstrated here, we suggest stepping up to a 1330 or 1350 when horsepower goes above 400. With this kind of increase in power, we suggest going with one of Inland Empire's CNC machined, heat-treated forgings with the quick-release cap design for easy maintenance. These 1350 Quick Release yokes will withstand brutal amounts of power. If you are planning huge gains in power, you will want this yoke, along with 1350 joints.
Inland Empire Driveline measures each end to the center of the universal joint cap. Then the tube is measured to proper length before it is cut with a bandsaw. | 
We take the total length of the original shaft and figure in the end dimensions to arrive at total length, center-to-center. |
That means our aluminum shaft must be the exact same length from center-to-center before it is welded together. | |
Inland Empire Driveline offers a couple of differential pinion yokes for high-performance Ford applications. The 1350 steel pinion yoke, like the 1350 Quick Release, is designed to take a lot of punishment. a 7075 T-6 aluminum pinion yoke (1310 and 1350) is also available.
When you study the slip-yoke and pinion-yoke part numbers, choose your yoke based on the transmission type, differential type, and the universal joint you intend to use. The universal joint number is incorporated into the yoke part number. So is your transmission type.