[MStars]

Thanks for the responses guys. I took both shafts and laid them side by side. At first glance they appear to be exactly the same until I took the measuring tape to them. The front half of the shaft is EXACTLY the same length, but the rear part of the shaft is exactly 1/2 inch longer than my original one. I find it hard to believe that they'd make an entirely different shaft that was exactly the same in every way except 1/2 of 1 inch?

My truck is an 87 2wd automatic, fuel injected, with overdrive. The replacement shaft is supposedly out of an 84 2wd fuel injected truck.

What are my options now? Is there a way to cheat that half inch somehow to make the carrier bearing line up? Remember it is 2wd so theres no slip fitting on the rear half of the shaft. The original intent was to replace the rear U joint and the "yoke?" (still learning terminology ; ) as it is badly badly worn. The joints on the replacement shaft are all in good condition and don't really need replacing. What do I do now guys? Sorry if this is all elementary to most of you, just learning as I go here.

Thanks for the help guys and Dr. Cheeseburger for taking my call

Matt