So I'm going to replace the carrier bearing on my 1997 Ram 1500 extended cab. Not only does the set up for the carrier bearing appear different. I'm having trouble finding the front shaft. When I Google it or go to an auto parts store what I find is different than what is underneath my truck. Does anyone have any idea what I've got exactly?

This is the front where it mate's with the 5 speed manual transmission. The big ring in-between the shaft and transmission appears to be like a harmonic balancer. It is loose and can cause terrible vibrations and has worn a groove in the shaft. I find nothing similar to this. Not even in my factory service manual.

Here is the carrier bearing. In all the videos and in my service manual there is a bracket between the bearing and the body. Here there is not.

But blurry but the carrier bearing with a better pick of no bracket.

 

You have a two-piece driveshaft. The "front" driveshaft is for four wheel drive trucks. I think what you are really looking for is the center support bearing???

 

that's the first time I've seen a balancer on a 2nd gen, i ran into a couple on 3rd gens, i usually don't reinstall the balancer, couldn't really tell the difference

 

I don't intend to reinstall the balancer. I am however having a hell of a time finding the front driveshaft. It doesn't seem to matter where I go or look online I can't find anyone who can get the correct shaft. I have everything else I need. So I think anyway. Any ideas on where to look? I need to get it done sooner than later. The loose balancer causes the whole truck to die like it's gonna come apart once and awhile and the take off shutter is getting really bad.

 

Rear driveshafts are different sizes depending on your truck configuration. long bed extended cab will have a two piece one. It sounds like are confusing the "front" driveshaft with the front section of the rear. Rockauto shows a two piece but you have to get both, No listing for separate parts. If you can't find a used one you may have to have one made or yours repaired.

 

Can I ask why you need a new shaft? They are 100% rebuildable, and really hard to damage, if the balancer is the only issue just take the shaft down and remove the balancer and reinstall. I guess I didn't state that very clearly in my first post. Just throwing away good money buying a new shaft. Even a local driveline shop will rebuild yours for a fraction of the cost of the new one

 

In reality I probably don't need a new one. It's that it's my daily driver. I can remove it and take it to a local shop and have them remove the carrier bearing. As well as the balancer has worn a 1/4" groove in the slip yoke. So I could have them remove and replace the carrier bearing and replace the slip yoke and it would be cheaper, yes. It's the single parent thing with one vehicle. If I had a new one I could do it all myself in not much time. However it looks like repair it is going to be my best option if I can find a slip yoke.

 

I'm not A LOT of help -- partially because the pics aren't comprehensive and partially because I've never handled your EXACT setup -- but HEED THIS NOW: DO NOT use a parts store carrier bearing if you can help it. They apparently use chewing gum for the rubber and it will be gone in a year. BTDT with Precision from O'Reilly

If you want a new shaft try calling Tom Woods at 4xshaft.com. They were shying away from 2-piece shafts on Tacomas so I don't know if they'll do Dodge but it's easy to ask!!

 

Whats you're cab and frame configuration. I probably have one here. I definitley would have a slip yoke, however if the t case is not currently leak, i would not have much concern over replacing the slip yoke, they dont move as much as you think, especially on a 2 piece chaft it just about does not move because the rear of the shaft is rigid. so its just movement from engine torquing and frame flex, and the actual sealing area is another inch or more inside the dust bubble seal you see from the outside. If your shaft is moving that far, you have different issues

 

You will want the square/rectangle one, from what I see in the pictures. There is a heavy duty driveshaft and a regular duty driveshaft for the trucks. Here are some part numbers (P/N) of what I would buy for a 1997. I searched for Timken and Koyo MFG and didn't find any P/N, dosen't mean there aren't. 2001 (mine) with the HD package dosen't use a driveshaft center bearing.
SKF
HB88528
National Precision Bearing
HB88530
F A G (made in USA)
CH0182