I have an '84 longbed pickup and had a problem with the front axle. The passenger side you bolts were loose so the centering pin broke. Now I have it all back together but the front drveline doeant seem to extend. Is that normal?

 

You should be able to slide the drive shaft in or out a little to attach it to the front third member.

 

I was able to reconnect everything so it must have moved some, but I couldn't extend it manually. Had to cinch it with the bolts. My 47 willys jeep extends more and more freely. So do they only extend a few cm. On these trucks? Thanks for the quick response by the way!

 

The front drive shaft should move in and out to allow for axle movement, maybe it was just stuck or maybe it needs to be taken a part and cleaned and greased.

 

If you undo the slip joint, be sure to mark it the position of the yokes so that it remains in phase...I learned the hard way

 

The driveshaft better well move in and out. If you go over a bump, the front axle moves up therefor shortening the driveshaft. If the front axle moves down the driveshaft needs to extend out. If it does not move, you need to either unstick the spline somehow or have a new one welded in and have the shaft rebalanced. While you are at it, check the rear driveshaft.