1998 ford ranger 4x4 stepside single cab. Took the Drive shaft off, but forgot to mark it. U-Joints are same size at both ends, so i could not determine which way it goes in. The reason i ask, it's a 2 piece drive shaft. One end is shorter than the other and it slides in and out of the main d/s, the bigger one.

Here is the question. Short end towards the tranny or the rear end?

Please, i need a quick answer. I need this for two more days until i get done with my mustang and this one goes under the knife.

 

The slip yoke goes to the front.

 

2 piece shaft on a reg cab '98+?

 

Dude, that's what i thought. Figures my ranger is the only one i bumped into that had the d/s setup like that. All the parts stores told me that i was nuts, but i showed it to them and it's the right one.

 

Got it. Short end to the front.

 

short end to the tranny... and wow.. X2 on the 2 piece on a reg cab.. that sucks..

 

yeah im pretty surprised too that any 98 plus truck has a 2 piece shaft

 

ESPICIALLY since it's the shortest chassis avaliable.....reg cab steppie(aka means it's a short bed).

Wow...that's nuts.

 

do you guys think he may be referring to the fact that the one piece shaft comes apart into 2 pieces at the slip joint? it technicly is a 2 piece.

 

BUT....the assumption is two piece meaning two FULL shafts joined together...not two half shafts joined together via splines at the slip yoke.


You totally make a good point, Pat. OP....post pics!!! Is there a rubber boot that joins the two 'pieces' of the shaft? *sidenote: 4x4 reg cab short bed.....two piece shaft?!?!?? WHAT!? The total length of the shaft is like 4 ft. No way its a true two piece shaft.