Does this look right 1985 pinion shaft?

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

No replacing just the carrier won't work. It's spaced specifically for a lash and gear depth. If you got one at a wrecking yard you can take it to a shop to be repaired. This may cost more than just buying another axle at the yard.

Putting a new center pin in with those groves means that the entire vehicles weight is on those bolts. They will fail and the spider gears will bind and lock up your wheels. Hopefully in your driveway and not the highway.
I'm surprised it hasn't yet
Posted via Mobile Device

Agree with all this ^^^^^

The advantage of finding one at a junkyard, the gears are already set up so you don't have to fool with them. To re-do gears, or set up a new carrier means you have to add/subtract shims, re-do your pinion crush sleeve, etc.

Junkyard is your best bang for buck. If it was my truck, I definitely would NOT drive it in it's current condition. I just don't think it's safe. So don't fool yourself it's OK to just put back together and ignore. This is not one of those options.