What makes the 1354 stronger than 1350?

[Totalled]

I've seen 4 failed 1350's.

One, the internal u-joint fragged, which exploded the front t-case output nose, and the other three were cracked, broken tail shaft housings on 1986 and later models that have the cast in boss for the electric shift motor and seem to be a thinner casting than the 83-85 units. One of those was from the rear end binding the rear shaft u-joints under droop.

 

[Hahnsb2]

My father had something internal fail on a 1350 a long time ago in an 84 B2, only had low range, and the original electric 1350 in mine had a ton of slop in it when getting on and off the throttle and eventually starting snapping/popping in 4 low range, although I suspect abuse from the previous owners led to it's demise, had hardly any fluid in it when I got it. But as cheaps as 1350s are and still how relativly rare the failures are there's no reason you shouldn't use one if you cant find a manual 1354.