Front Drive Shaft Update

[Tazzieman]

Do you know what fluid ignited?

 

[Logsplitter]

Some photos. Getting them at the tow yard wasn't ideal and my phone can didn't like trying to focus on stuff

But photos of the driveshaft, wiring. Etc. and one from the dash cam where you can see the passenger flames reflecting in the glass a bit.

These shaft failures are no joke. It's also amazing how much that electrical wire conductor elongated under heat.

@Agile1 much appreciated but not sure what's even feasible right now.

Wow. You’re lucky you had an extinguisher and were able to put the fire out.
Did you loose any gearbox oil ? It looks like the oil cooler pipes maybe damaged also gearbox thermostat damage may have occurred. This may well have the damaged the plastic sump on the gearbox as well. The two larger cables with steel armouring are your transfer box Bowden cables, that will need replacing also.
Looks like your prop is still in place and didn’t completely sheer off ?
Best of luck with getting this sorted.

 

[AFdude412]

Didn’t old mate Reuben from DMW have the same issue with the molten drive shaft? I think he had a YouTube video catching it happen. And all he had was a few water bottles.

Glad you’re safe, OP. Hopefully you’re back on the road soon!

 

[Clark Kent]

Didn’t old mate Reuben from DMW have the same issue with the molten drive shaft? I think he had a YouTube video catching it happen. And all he had was a few water bottles.

Glad you’re safe, OP. Hopefully you’re back on the road soon!

Yes he did but it wasn't a standard driveshaft. DMW did some early testing work with driveshafts but have since gone in a different direction. Hopefully more on this in 2026.
I visited DMW last week and had a good chat to their engineer, Glen. They're doing some impressive work with LC300 and Y63 Patrol chops (for conversion to dual cab utes), Ranger Super Duty and Quartermaster chassis extensions and of course Grenadier and QM suspension work.

 

[hon1nbo]

Wow. You’re lucky you had an extinguisher and were able to put the fire out.
Did you loose any gearbox oil ? It looks like the oil cooler pipes maybe damaged also gearbox thermostat damage may have occurred. This may well have the damaged the plastic sump on the gearbox as well. The two larger cables with steel armouring are your transfer box Bowden cables, that will need replacing also.
Looks like your prop is still in place and didn’t completely sheer off ?
Best of luck with getting this sorted.

There was definitely flaming liquid coming out. Extinguisher was able to get the bulk of the fire out, but not whatever the liquid source was. I wasn't able to confirm it. It would help having the service manual but the web form said up to a 6 week wait, and I think I'm on week 3 since I submitted it.

Yeah didn't completely sheer off the vehicle but it's no longer in one piece; kinda hanging together with a part that's stuck inside itself but it's toast and detached from the upper end. Depends on your definition of sheer I guess.

Multiple wiring harnesses including some 10+conductor harnesses, Temp probes, tc cables, it's a mess down there. Even if the fire didn't melt the sump the fire department likely got water into a number of systems.

I used to teach pyrotechnics with a nonprofit in Texas; fire safety is kind of a thing for me and I definitely practice what I preach.

 

[Zimm]

So…. Gotta ask the owner of the rig… you didn’t hear anything on social media about the drive shaft issues and lifts, before after or during choosing to drive a truck with a 4 “ lift?

And yes, I most certainly AM trying to determine the level of willful ignorance here, being you do admit to being on social media, and the risk is certainly not a secret.