Need Drive Shaft Help

[BadJoey]

I bought a Challenger in a box many years ago . It came with a 4 speed and A drive shaft . I assumed it was the right one . I also have a 383 cuda I hope to get too after the Challenger . The Cuda is a automatic . My problem is over the years I lost track of which shaft goes to which car . I would have thought they were the same yet 1 shaft is abot 6+ inches longer then the other . I measured from the front of the bell housing to the back on both trans and both are about 36 inches . Can anyone help me with this I'm getting ready to sand blast and paint some under casriage parts and am hoping to include the drive shaft . As a last resort I'll do both . 

[Chryco Psycho]

the Chall & Cuda should have similar lenght driveshafts , with the Chall being 2 " longer , the 833 & 727 are the same length as f pr which is the correct one I am not sure what the measurement is

[BadJoey]

I've been beating my head against the wall . All I can come up with is . The guy who sold me the car traded the 383 (ran) for a bad 440 out of a 67 GTX . Could it be he also traded drive shafts ? I got the GTX bell housing .  On the way out I'll measure the inches and post it tonight . I know one shaft is out of the Cuda so if one is 2 inches shorter it looks like I'm going to be needing a drive shaft now . What would a shaft for a Challenger be worth and are big and small blocks the same ? Thanks for the help it is really appreciated .

[Chryco Psycho]

big & small blocks will use the saame driveshaft Unless it had a 904 tranny with the small block , the 904 used a smaller yolk a 4" longer driveshaft

[BadJoey]

Just got home . Measured both shafts . From the outside of the universal cap to the outside of the universal cap . One is 45 inches and one is 51 1/2 inches + or - a little .

[Moparal]

My memory isn't like it used to be, but 46 keeps popping up center to center of ujoint . I believe the shorter of the 2 is the correct one. But I am certain there is a member under his car measuring for you as I type

[BadJoey]

Chryco Psycho said the Challenger shaft is 2 inches longer if that is corect neither shaft will work . The 45 (outside to outside of caps) inch is out of my Cuda meaning the 46 inches from center to center would be about right . You guys here are a big help .

[Moparal]

Did the challenger have a dana in it? I think it takes a shorter shaft then the 8 3/4.

[Chryco Psycho]

, that was assumi9ng it hasthe same diff in both , the dana will be shorter & the 7/ 1/4 diff will be longer then the 8 3/4 shafts

[BadJoey]

My Cuda and Challenger both have a 8 3/4 differental .Since the Cuda shaft is 44 center cap to center of cap I'm guessing Al was right with 46 " for a Challenger . Just got home from a Mopar show in Syracuse but the flea market was small so no luck there . Someone told me I could get the shaft from the GTX shortened and balanced for under 100 dollars . I thought my problem was solved but upon examination the yokes are different .There was a man who seemed real nice . He took my name and phone number and he is going to call me if he has one at home or if he can find one for me . It's always something yet in a sick way that is part of the fun if it was easy everyone would own one .On the way home my brother told me about a place where he saw 2 . 1 good 1 parts . Stopped there and in the pass area was 2 drive shafts . I thought I got lucky . Notice I said thought after breaking out the tape measure no luck.The guy just bought both cars for $3500.00 and wasn't sure what they were out of .Went by a old junk yard after that where there USE to be 5 or 6 . That was till the darn crusher came through . Oh well enough ranting for now either way thanks .

[Moparal]

You can buy a big/little u joint at any parts house, or when your drive shaft is shortened, have him weld the smaller yoke on as well

[BadJoey]

I considered cutting the GTX shaft down then useing the cuda yoke (not ruled out) but I really hate using parts from the cuda towards the Challenger . I know by the time I get to the cuda a rolling shell will be a million dollars just hate robbing from Peter to pay Paul . I still have a few local places to try then I can try here . I wouldn't think a drve shaft would be too hard to find . Of course I never tried so I'll find out .

[HP2]

Well, if the longer driveshaft came out of one of the cars and it was capable of moving under its own power, then it fits some how or another even if it isn't correct. It could be that the slip yoke was trimmed down a couple inches to get it to sit further up on the trans splines (an old DC racing tip) and/or the rear end was moved back via spring relocation or mismatch.

If it was just thrown in a non running car as part of the deal, then you may have been given the wrong part.

You also mention mixing shafts and yokes. Do you have a mis-match in u-joints? If you have a complete gtx shaft but it is too long, then just have it cut down, rebalanced, and use the yokes that are on it, assuming they are there, of course. If they aren't there, then you need to find one. Also just as an FYI, there are three sizes of u joints out there to use; the large style, the small style, and the conversions joints which has one set of both large and small width caps. Sorry, I can't quote the sizes off the top of my head, but I'm sure someone can chime in with them if needed.,

[BadJoey]

Just out looking at the shafts . The "GTX' shaft was just thrown in the back as part of the deal although I was lead to think it was the Challenger shaft . . The universals are the same on both shafts .I've been calling the end that slides into the trans a yoke , not sure if that is the correct name but hope everyone knew what I ment . Looks like a go to shorten. Only question now is as follows . Hope I can exlain this I know what I want to say , just not sure if I can get it across .

If you are looking into the trans end of the shaft you can see where the splines start . On the cuda they start 2 3/4 cm's in auto trans
On the GTX they start 1 1/4 cm's in standard .
Difference 1 1/2 cm
The trans end on the Cuda is 1 1/2 cm's longer than the end on the GTX shaft .
Could it be that the auto tran shaft has to go in that much further then on a standard . The splined part is the same length and the extra 1 1/2 cm is just empty pipe .
Talking to people today I learned of a specialty shop in the area and hope to see them in the next few days . I'm just thinking out loud and am greatful for your guys thoughts as well thanks .

[Moparal]

The way I have my shafts made is this

Slide the YOKE All the way in and then pull it back 1.5 inches. The car needs to be in as driving condition. Then measure center of trans yoke to center of pinion yoke.  works everytime.