Gen 1 8.8 and 1 piece driveshaft swap

[87anger]

A while back I had a vibration and after replacing motor mounts, trans mounts, and a u joint(which were also bad btw) it persisted. lifted up my ass end and put the truck in gear let it spin. My wheels were making ovular/up and down motions(i.e. NOT normal!) and my tire would turn 1/4 turn before engaging the driveshaft. Anyway my 7.5 is poo.

So I decided on an 8.8 swap because its not worth fixing the 7.5. I have an opportunity to get one but have some questions.
I have checked the tech library and in the 1 peice shaft swap it says that the flanges on newer ranger driveshafts are larger.

If this is true then my stock 2 piece wont just bolt up to the 8.8 like it says in the tech library. I know the fm145 is 2" shorter than the m5od so in order to swap in a 1 piece driveshaft to fit the flange I would have to lengthen it. $$$.

Is the flange on the 8.8s different?
If so what years had what flanges?
Can I make my stock shaft work with an 8.8?
In order to swap in a 1 piece steel shaft I would have to swap the front flange and lengthen it right?
Is it possible to swap a flange onto my 2 piece to fit the 8.8?
I recently read somewhere on here that not all 8.8s had 10" drums. Which years and models came with 10" ones?

I know really long post and many questions but I would love to have all this info as sometimes the tech library and search functions just dont have the specific info. Any and all posts are welcome. Im trying to absorb info from you experienced guys so fire away!
Oh and thanks for reading my really long post... sorry lol

 

[87anger]

Anyone? Im probably gonna get my 8.8 soon so I really could use some info.

 

[adsm08]

The 8.8 flanges had a wider bolt spacing than the early 7.5s All 8.8s used the 3 inch spacing.

Look for U-joint part numbers. If your rear most joint and the 98+ rear joint are the same number, just get a joint yoke to put on your shaft. I think the later one is a bigger cap though.

Yes, the 1-piece shaft needs to be lengthened.

AFAIK the 8.8 only came with 10" drums or discs, unless you get one of an F-150/Econoline.

 

[87anger]

The 8.8 flanges had a wider bolt spacing than the early 7.5s All 8.8s used the 3 inch spacing.

Look for U-joint part numbers. If your rear most joint and the 98+ rear joint are the same number, just get a joint yoke to put on your shaft. I think the later one is a bigger cap though.

Yes, the 1-piece shaft needs to be lengthened.

AFAIK the 8.8 only came with 10" drums or discs, unless you get one of an F-150/Econoline.

Im pretty sure that I read somewhere that the U-joints are bigger. Hmm If I have to weld a yoke to my current shaft do you think thats kinda pointless? Im going to have a 4" suspension lift so will probably have to swap out the 2 piece but idk.
You think its worth it to swap the yoke on the 2 piece? or since it will need to be cut either way get the 1 piece and lengthen it?

On a side note: The tech library needs to be updated about the gen1 8.8 swap if the flanges are different it is not a direct swap.