Drive shaft lengths the same across all 3rd gens?

[Sherwood4Runner]

I think my rear U joint might be going bad, and I've found a wrecked 4runner someone is parting out locally with considerably less miles than mine. Its a 99 limited and I have a 98 limited. He is selling the whole rear drive line for 25 bucks, which is definitely cheaper and less work/money than having U-joints replaced on my current shaft. Should there be any problem swapping this 99 shaft as a direct replacement for my 98?

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I think my rear U joint might be going bad, and I've found a wrecked 4runner someone is parting out locally with considerably less miles than mine. Its a 99 limited and I have a 98 limited. He is selling the whole rear drive line for 25 bucks, which is definitely cheaper and less work/money than having U-joints replaced on my current shaft. Should there be any problem swapping this 99 shaft as a direct replacement for my 98?

From what i've seen the only difference is between the automatics and the manuals but all automatics should be the same length.

 

[UnderFire]

There are different lengths for the different transfer case types as well, I have no clue when the changes occurred year-wise though.

OP - G&R Auto Wreckers in Salem has quite a few 3rd Gens in the yard, not sure what the prices would be like, but they've got quite a few different years.

 

[TheDurk]

There was a change in p/n from '98 to '99 in the auto 4wd limited with the V6:

I have no idea of the difference or if they interchange. If they are both not V6 or 4WD, that's a different shaft altogether, but I think all Limiteds were V6 and I am assuming both are 4WD. I wonder if you could swap at the slip joint, if the difference is in the TC's. Use your old front, with the '99 back half.

Thing is, when I look at the components, everything is the same EXCEPT the u-joint internals. The shaft half-pieces are not individual parts, so I can't compare those.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Arg...so much unknown...I guess for 25 bucks its not a big risk to try and play with. The idea of using the old front with the new rear u-joint is a good option too. hmm...

 

[TheDurk]

Arg...so much unknown...I guess for 25 bucks its not a big risk to try and play with. The idea of using the old front with the new rear u-joint is a good option too. hmm...

Yeah, I'd risk the $25.

 

[Singtoe]

Don't risk it. It is not even close.

I thought that Durk would have known this.


The 99 has the center diff (AWD) and the 98 doesn't.

Because of this, the transfercase is about 4"s longer. This then will make the rear drive shaft 4"s too short and the front drive shaft 4" too long.

Now you could use the tail end of the drive shaft but for $25, you could buy a new u-joint and replace it cheaper.

 

[TheDurk]

Don't risk it. It is not even close.

I thought that Durk would have known this.


The 99 has the center diff (AWD) and the 98 doesn't.

Because of this, the transfercase is about 4"s longer. This then will make the rear drive shaft 4"s too short and the front drive shaft 4" too long.

Now you could use the tail end of the drive shaft but for $25, you could buy a new u-joint and replace it cheaper.

Sorry. I know my rig inside out. Not so good on other years, by a long shot and I have said many times I know zero about slushboxes. I said they were different but I didn't know how they were different.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Got it singtoe. Thanks for the final input. No harm no foul, I haven't purchased it yet. And thanks everyone else for the input.

 

[Cult75]

Hi new here, don't no how to use this site yet so I hope I've posted it right lol. Can any one help me out I'm looking for a rear 1 peace drive shaft for RN105R 22r 4wd 4door ute. Just wondering if any other models are the same length cheers

 

[spartacus]

Hi new here, don't no how to use this site yet so I hope I've posted it right lol. Can any one help me out I'm looking for a rear 1 peace drive shaft for RN105R 22r 4wd 4door ute. Just wondering if any other models are the same length cheers

The 22re 4 cyl is 1st gen 4runner section and the 3.0 v6 would be in the 2nd Gen section.
Tom woodsdrive shafts probably can custom build one for you.
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