Let me start out by saying that I have a 1996 ram 1500 club cab short bed.
The original driveshaft was so rusty that after replacing the u-joints, it shredded them. In an effort to replace the driveshaft we ended up cutting out the mount for the swing bearing and going from a 2 piece driveshaft to a 1 piece. After scouring the junk yards I found one that lined up but fluid was leaking from the rear transmission seal. I got it diagnosed by a local shop and they said it was too short, and the yoke wasn’t going deep enough into the transmission. I found a new one that’s 79.75 inches. The one currently causing the leaks is around 75 inches. Does anyone have any advice before I go unleash the parts cannon yet again?

 

I have had two extended cab/short bed trucks, neither one had a two-piece driveshaft. You should be able to find one in a junkyard without too much trouble. Just make sure the donor is the same cab/bed config, and same trans/t-case as yours.

 

Sure, your present one is too short but obviously it works -- kinda. An extra ~5" is A LOT. Be careful, too long will seriously damage your transmission.

My advice would be find the correct shaft or measure at ride height and have the current one shortened.