99 Aluminum DS swap to 87.

[dirtystanchez]

If you have the A4LD automatic in your '87, yes it will work.

By those measurements it sounds like you may have the FM145 stickshift. No go there.

I have the 5 speed. I believe the aluminum DS is from an auto. So no go on that one, huh?

What if you made a 2 inch spacer, out of steel, the went between the rear end and DS with longer bolts?

 

[4x4junkie]

Your FM145 is 2" shorter than the A4LD and all transmissions used in '88 & later trucks.

Spacers would probably work OK, although it's kindof a half-assed fix.

I'd just have a driveshaft made for it myself. Probably won't be a whole lot more than buying the shaft you were looking at + having the spacers made. You can have the shaft made with a smaller tube too (that aluminum one will be huge, and will likely present some clearance issues with your fuel tank when you flex the suspension).

 

[dirtystanchez]

That would explain the modification needed to SJ's trans x-member. It was about 2 inches too far towards the rear. I cut and flipped it and it lined up perfectly. Considering a forum member was selling me the DS for ~65 shipped I don't think I'll get one made for a hundred bucks but I'll check it out.

BTW, I just picked up a 95 8.8" with disc brakes for cheap. Too bad the pinion isn't longer to make up some of the distance for this DS.

Thanks to all for the info. You saved me some cash for a DS that wouldn't work.