Any tips for setting driveline angles? How to measure, and what to set them at? As you can see in my progress pics topic, I don't have the trans crossmember in yet, and I'm wondering if I should do some shimming, or anything now, or just wait until the weight is all on it before attempting to set it.

Search Derek....before I bust you in the eye. I know for sure I posted the whole procedure less than 6months ago, I just don't remember which topic it was under. Front weight is not nearly as important, rear however has to be at full dressed weight.

Derek,
here's a link..
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/

another...

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/fpelltec1.html

david

You know what, my bad Derek. That was in a PM that I went over the exact details of measuring pinion angle. We’ll do it again for tech reference.

Jack up the entire vehicle enough to work comfortably underneath it. Support the rear by the axle tubes, this step is very important to simulate rear ride height. The front doesn't really matter, just make it's supported. Measure the driveline in the middle of the shaft at the 6 o'clock position (all measurements are referenced from looking at the car from the rear) using a dial protractor (or digital if you lucky enough to have one). Remove the driveline, measure the pinion angle by placing a straight edge across the u-joint caps making sure the straight edge runs 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock. Measure the transmission output shaft, I simply lay the base of the protractor against the back of the output shaft running 12 o'clock to 6'clock.

The driveline working angle is the difference between the driveline angle itself and the pinion or tail shaft angle depending on which end you are working on. The pinion angle should be roughly opposite of the transmission output angle and the driveline working angles should be less than 1*. Example of a "good" set-up would be tail shaft angle of down 2* pinion up 2* and a prop shaft angle of 2.5* down. This places the pinion exactly opposite of the tail shaft angle and the driveline working angles of both u-joints at ˝*. NEVER make working angles zero; the u-joints need some degree of angle in order to rotate properly.

Where would be a good place to start with the transmission? (while it's apart) Should it be parallel with the frame? or up, or down? Obviously it will need adjustment later, but what would be the best to start with? I'm assuming parallel with the frame would be good :)

As high as possible, shoot for around -2*. With your lowered stance the pinion angle will be quite low, and the drive line angle will be near zero.