Can a shaft drive work?

[Shmeefer]

Yeah, "diff" isn't the right word thus the quotes but really a 90 degree gearbox is what you want. The general consensus is no diff is needed for offroad unless you want cutting brakes. Just have to overcome all the other issues

[jumpin jellybean]

what I was thinking was a rpm box or similar mounted sideways so axle shafts run forward and back not out to wheels, with cush drive hook up to engine. add in two small irs diffs and you will have all wheel drive

[nutz4sand]

As stated in my above post on the previous page the motor cycles 90 degree drive is a big pain in the tail IF you are trying to drive two wheels with it.

Be easier to simply go with a diff from a car. Get a posi unit if you are worried about a diff action or weld it up.

[xsfun]

I was in the same situation and am using a 79 Yamaha XS1100 engine(shaft drive)in my buggy. It is driving via chain into a Subaru differential. It has actually worked out just fine so far and I retained the Subaru axles, disc brakes, wheel bearings, wheel flanges etc. The engine is mounted backwards and I am using the rear differential from the Subaru.