U-Joint ID Spicer 1330 Series External Snap Ring IDN-147

How to ID a Spicer Type 1330 Series Driveshaft U-Joint or What is my u-joint size?

Spicer 1330 series u-joints with External Lock-Up (Snap Rings) was first used in production cars in 1957, but  it was not used in light truck or 4x4 applications until 1968 and even then it was quite rare until 1978. That was the year Ford started to replace 1310 series u-joints with 1330 series. Ford would remain the primary user of the 1330 u-joint into the mid 1990s. From 1994 to 2004 Dodge used 1330 u-joints in Ram front CV driveshafts and it is also found in many 1998-2010 Ram 1500 and light-duty Ram 2500 rear driveshafts. In the first decade of the 21st Century, quite a few GM and Jeep models will have 1330 series u-joints, but after that, use of this series of u-joint by domestic vehicle brands has pretty much ended. However, both Toyota and Nissan now use 1330 series u-joints in USA assembled light trucks and SUVs.

A 1330 Series U-Joint is retained in driveshaft yokes by Snap Rings that fit into grooves machined in the driveshaft yoke ears and that seat against the end of the U-Joint Cap. 1330 series end yokes will have cast tabs in the yoke saddles to hold the u-joint from lateral movement. When used with an end yoke, a 1330 series u-joint may be secured either with u-bolts or strap and bolts. Of the two methods, U-Bolts are usually found on mid-1980s and earlier applications. Since that time, using Strap and Bolts has become the preferred way to secure the u-joint caps to an end yoke. The main reason is u-bolts have a tendency to distort the caps leading to reduced service life.

Two methods of forging the cross are common. The traditional Hot-Forged cross is cheaper to produce, but the cross hardness is a lower Rockwell value than the more modern and more expensive cold-forged crosses use in premium quality universal joints. Today, greaseable u-joints typically have hot-forged crosses and lubed for life u-joints will usually have cold-forged crosses. For older or lower power applications either cross design should provide satisfactory service, but for later model vehicles with either Diesel or high-torque gas engines we recommend you use premium u-joints with cold-forged crosses.

1330 series Driveshaft Universal Joint Specifications:
Cap Diameter: 1-1/16"
Overall Width of Installed U-Joint: 3-5/8"