Drive shaft length

[steveoelo]

Curious if an aluminum drive shaft out of a 2006 2wd extended cab with an auto will fit in a 1990 2wd extended cab with a Mazda trans?

 

[4x4junkie]

No.

(different output shaft size, and I believe length is different also)

 

[steveoelo]

Thank you

 

[scotts90ranger]

Isn't it dependent on transmission? If memory serves the M5OD and A4LD are the same length (don't know about spline count and so forth, haven't paid attention to much 2WD stuff) but the 2.9L used like 4 transmissions over the years so it's more of a crap shoot on that engine. and after the A4LD stopped being used I haven't paid nearly as much attention... I could have sworn there were some interchangeable years but I could be thinking 4x4...

Don't want to confuse things, I'm open to learn...

 

[4x4junkie]

Yes, 4x4 A4LD & M5OD transmissions are the same length & output spline. 2WD transmissions however have the driveshaft going directly into the trans. I seem to recall the M5OD is the one with the bigger output shaft spline just because of the shock-load potential an incompetent (or abusive) driver can put on it through misuse of the clutch.