What driveshaft will work?

[fishbone1]

I need a little help. I have an 89 ranger single cab long bed. I installed a 2.9l with a 4x4 fm145 transmission out of an 87 ranger. I put a dummy transfer case from a 2wd bronco II on the end of the 4x4 fm145. What years of Ranger 4x4 can I get a driveshaft from? If you want to know why i did it this way the answer is "free engine and transmission" and I should have done a little research first. Thanks

 

[fishbone1]

Will the driveshaft from any standard cab 83-89 4x4 long bed 2.9 5 speed work?

 

[piotrsko]

from what i recall, the king cab has a 'shaft that is about 4 inches too long. I had mine cut and remade for about $100.

when I did it: took a tape measure and did a rough measurement, then went about the junkyard looking for Rangers with my set up IE manual 4x4 reg cab long bed. in my case anything from 85 to 90 fit. a fast way to do this is to measure wheel hub to wheel hub front to back. if the wheel base is the same, the shaft ought to be OK also.

found out the 'yards tend to bend the heck out of driveshafts. they pick up vehicles with forks and the 'shaft sits below the frame rails.

 

[fishbone1]

piotrsko
I appreciate the reply. Good point about the bent shafts.