73-77 Blazer Front Drive Shaft Compatability

[cysko9]

Now that I've sorted out which tailgates fit my 73 blazer. I need some help with the front driveshaft.

The LMC catalog shows 2 different front driveshafts (one with a u-joint tip and the other with a flange). Supposedly, the 73 requires the u-joint version. I've hard a heck of a time finding a used one but don't want to shell out $320 for a new one. There's a ton of the flanged shafts around so is it possible to just pop off the flange and mount it without it?

The blazer is bone stock as best I can tell and has full time 4x4.

Here's the page from the LMC catalog:

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csb/full.aspx?Page=153