Just swapped a 22RE/W56 (out of a '87 4Runner) into a '79 Longbed pickup. The 3rds are stock '79 4cyl 4.38s.

I got the front driveshaft figured out, I'll be using an IFS shaft with the 79 "yoke" at the 3rd to match the patterns. 24" at ride height with room for compression and droop

Problem is with the rear shaft... I have 4 rear d/s's laying around and none fit, 1 from a 1st gen 4Runner, 1 from a 2nd gen 4Runner, 1 from the 79 and 1 from a '82 Longbed pickup (22R/L52?). The 4Runner's are to short and the 1st Gens are to long.

My question is; is there a Toyota drive shaft out there that will fit? Or is it inevitable that i need to get the long one shortened?

I would assume its cheaper to get a driveshaft shortened rather than lengthened? (removing, not adding material thus adding cost)

I need ~52" at ride height flange to flange.

And I do know about the different flange patterns...that does not bother me.

 

If this is for off-road use, I would pick wherever shaft is the best shape and have it built to the proper length with heavier wall tubing. The factory shafts are pretty thin wall material and get dinged up pretty easy if they make contact with anything.

 

Its gunna be a 50/50 rig for now, offroad and a driver.

I hate to say it but I'm on a budget per say, I know so I'm hoping to find a junkyard shaft that's close.

A built shaft would be nice, but sounds like big bucks. From what i've heard around here $250+

 

Yeah they aren't cheap...
I don't know the answer to your question. I've always assumed that if you do that tranny swap you need to mod both d-shafts, so it's cool that you made the front one work. That's the more expensive one anyways.

 

shortening a stock shaft if your most echonomical choice ... about $40.00 last time I had it done ..

 

I'm figuring I'll have to get it shortened...that price is something I can deal with, just gotta find a place that does it around here.

I'm still going to search at the junkyard tomorrow, but I'm doubtful.

 

I did the same swap 22R W-56 into a 79 long bed used the 79 to 87 shaft combo just to mated to match bolt patterns up front that worked good and then I got lucky in rear I did the same swap around but the difference is my donor shaft came out of a 87 xtracab SB I also installed the drive shaft backwards for bolt pattern reasons. flanges could have been swapped but I liked the fatter part of the d-shaft up higher

Problem: I had really bad wheel hop the drive shaft was 2" too long did not allow for compression. I installed TG rear springs and moved rear axle back 2" PERFECT! no wheel hop anymore

GL

 

I don't know if this will work but I have considered the same mod for my '82 longbox(w56). I have the d-shaft from a shortbox, but am told that it will be to short. I was thinking that i might add a CV from a front shaft to it to make up the difference. You might try that if you have some extra CV's lying around to add to your short shaft. Might save you some money.

 

a driveshaft from a lwb second gen pickup should be the right length, dont know about bolt pattern though