Another driveshaft question

[Gene]

Will a driveshaft out of a squarebody truck 73-87 fit a 71-72 truck if it came with a 205? I havent had any luck finding a shortbed shaft but I think I can come up with one from these years and have it cut down.

[blue70k5]

As long as the u-joints are the right size on each end (1310, 1350, 1410, etc.) the 73-87 shaft should work fine with the exception of any length issues. Also, make sure that the shaft you are getting is made for an np205 with a fixed output yoke rather than a slip yoke because the slip version is a very different (and much less common) setup... The fixed yoke version will have a sliding portion whithin the body of the shaft and the shaft made for a slip yoke output 205 will have a long shaft on the transfercase side. I believe most 1/2 ton 205's have a standard 1310 yoke on the output and 205's originally behind 3/4 and 1 ton trucks will be 1350. On the rear axle pinion yoke you will have either 1310 (10 bolt/12 bolt axle) or 1350(14 bolt/dana60) unless you have changed the yoke size. Hope this helps and if anyone sees a mistake here please let me know!
-Tristan

[Gene]

That helps, I will look at my salvage yard.