2003 explorer front driveshaft/yoke question

[92 5 oh]

hey guys,
I'm not sure the best place to post this ... I'm helping my friend with his 03 explorer 4x4. The original owner did not have the driveshaft so we researched it for a bit and apparently it has to be a driveshaft from an 03-05 explorer or mountaineer. So we found one on craigslist because non of the junkyards here had one. Then we called the parts store tom get the retainers for the driveshaft to the front diff and they gave us normal U bolts. We found these were wrong and it should be more like a main bearing cap and two bolts thread in to the yoke. Can't find these anywhere, ford can order them but it will take a few days. So I have two questions :
1) out of curiosity, what's the difference between an 01 and 03 driveshaft? Length?
2) can I use the retainers from other years? Such as 99-01 ish?

Thanks
Steven

 

[hondaxr650]

Not sure about the shaft lengths but the 95-01 uses the same stamped steel bearing straps and bolts as the newer ones. Maybe try a different parts store. I just looked them up on the o'reilly website and they sell a kit with 2 straps and 4 bolts for $5.29.