So, going to be getting the last few things I need for my 5 speed swap. One of the things ill need is a new drive shaft. Something dawned on me. Instead of finding the right drive shaft from the junk yard which seems to be next to impossible, and having it shorted a hair (rear end swap) and having a brand new one made (pricey anyway they do it) why not just find a drive shaft from whatever dakota, cut what's needed out of it (7") and take that to a shop to have then weld it all together and balance it?

Drive shaft told me mopar uses an odd size diameter tube that'd be around $250 or $300 just for material and then putting it together, or if they could use a more common size pipe, $350 for a whole new shaft.

Here durr, just go find a drive shaft from whatever 1st gen dakota, cut 7" out of it, and pay the $65-100 weld and balance fee.

Someone point out if in missing something obvious..

 

Well one thing did occure to me, the nv350p amd 46re transfer cases have different input shafts, but they should be identical other wise right? If not, I have the yoke out of my parts shaft I could use if it has the same width as my current yoke.

 

If it was me, I would talk to a driveshaft company first. I would not want to cut a driveshaft in half, take out 7 in. and weld back together. I believe it could be shortened and then put a new or used end on it. Altough the cost may be close to just getting a new one made.
Keep in mind, it needs to be straight, and the yoke ends need to be held at the same degree.

One other thing, if you do cut and reweld, cut the back. It it came apart, better the rear drop then the front....

 

Oh absolutely, I'd take both of them and let them have their way with them.

 

Even if it takes a different size U-joint, they do make "conversion" joints.

RwP

 

ya.. I have one on the rear..

I'm talking spline count in the out put shaft...