Is my driveshaft too long? '01 Edge 5.0 m5r2 swap

Hey all, does anyone have a quick reference way to check if a driveshaft is a hair too long for application?

In my case, I have an 01 Edge with a 5.0 / m5r2 swap. What may also factor in is that my leaf spring packs consist of an Explorer main followed by an F150 spring pack with the eyelets cut of the f150 main (also using the regular 2" extended drop shackles). I did this to lift the rear up to a stock(ish) level while still remaining SUA. After messing around with various axle shims, I believe I have the pinion angle correct as well at 6*.

Kind of a bad pic to show the rear wheel gap, but it's what I've got to work with right now. Oh, and the headlights have been replaced (old pic).


After completing my m5r2 tranny swap, I noticed when installing my driveshaft that it was a bit tighter going in. Initially, when I completed the 5.0 + 4r70w swap, I shortened the driveshaft by 2 inches. With jacks removed and the truck on all four wheels in it's natural ride height, I held the driveshaft up flush on one end at the tranny and looked at how much it extended past the flange on the rear differential (without compressing the driveshaft). Then, the gap was two inches, so that is how much I had removed at a local axle shop.

Perhaps my method was bad in some way and someone here can correct me. After swapping in the m5r2, I went about the same procedure, only this time I didn't have it trimmed because it seemed close enough, but I did have to compress it a little to get it on the rear flange after having been mated to the transfer case. When driving, at times I hear a slight resonance when just cruising on a straight flat road, almost as if reading braille on the side of the road (little bumps to wake people up who are swerving off the road), but nowhere near as severe.

Anyone have any quick tips for establishing proper driveshaft length using fitment as a guide?

Also, anyone know how much compression travel the driveshaft is supposed to have?
(The driveshaft I am using is from a 98 extended cab 4x4 ranger, with two flanges on each side)

Who knows, maybe I'll do a t56 later on, but for now I must say, I absolutely love a standard 5 speed behind this motor.

Hmm, sucks. I figured there would be at least a few that might chime in who've dealt with figuring driveshaft lengths before.

I need some exposure here. Hopefully I'm in the right section..

Ok, so maybe I don't have that much interest here but I did want to post up someone's thoughts on driveshaft sizing that was shared with me on another forum.

They said that they were shown to figure the proper length by starting with the vehicle resting naturally on the ground. Then with the drive shaft flush at the flange on one end (in my case the transfer case side), mark how much overlap occurs at the other side past the flange. Subtract another 1/8" from that mark you placed and that should be good to go.

If somebody.. anybody bumps into this post in the vast space of forumness, I hope it helps.