Front Drive Shaft Question

[LSGarage]

Lets see where to start. I'm working on my '67 GMC K-1500, 305 V-6, SM465 mated to a T-221 transfer case. Truck was an OEM drum brake truck. I got it with a (I think) '71 Chev disc brake front axle.

I just put my trans and transfer case back in the truck. Installed the front drive shaft and noticed that there is no spline exposed (see picture). I know that I need to shorten the drive shaft length. My question is should I shorten the shaft tube or could I get away with shortening the yoke that attaches to the front differential. The spline (on the shaft its self) is around 6" long but only 2 1/4" at the end has gear teeth cut into it. The rest of it is under cut.

Additionally I have no chassis or body lifts on this truck and I'm not going to use the 4WD for anything else other than getting around in the snow.

[61K10]

the two axles should be the same, Dana 44's. is the slip shaft bottomed out? you should have very little movement in the D/shaft. I would trim it if it was me. the experts will chime in with their fix.

[LSGarage]

Yea the slip shaft is bottomed out. Before I had the T-case rebuilt it was pushing a bearing out of the case. I originally thought it was because it has a 3:42 in the rear & 4:11 up front. Now I think the bear issue may have been caused by front drive shaft

[ryanroo]

it needs an inch and a half or so of exposed slip shaft. i would take the drive line to a driveline shop with a good reputation and have the tube shortened. its not a really difficult operation and should require no parts as long as everything is in good shape. maybe an hour of labor.

[LSGarage]

Thanks, ryanroo, for your response! Just needed a little reassurance about how to fix this.

[andrewmp6]

If you don't have a local drive line shop try a big diesel shop most can make/work on a drive shaft.

[LSGarage]

Thanks, andrewmp6, that's looks like the way I have to around here.