4X4 Conversion: Parts Inventory And 231J Interchange

[1987Comanche]

  I was researching driveshafts tonight and came across a post on Rymanrph's 4WD conversion thread:

 

 

Everything is assembled, now I'm just dealing with the frustration that is both drive shafts. I had the front one rebuilt ($148 and that was just for the center bearing and assembly; I had already purchased the U-joints). When I went to install it, I found that the grease fittings on the U-joints kept it from rotating properly, so I have to replace those. I wanted to have my 2wd rear drive shaft cut down, but apparently its some strange tube within a tube design that the 4wd shop here in town didn't want to touch. He had another shaft he said that he would cut down and re-weld for $135, but he wasn't going to balance it. My other option was to have a drive shaft shop a couple towns over do it, but then it would be $135+ the cost of the used drive shaft.

 

  What is different about the 2WD MJ driveshaft??  My plan was to marry the front slip yoke from the '96 to the 2WD d/s and have the local d/s shop cut this one down and rebalance it. 

[Alexia]

Apparently some MJ drive shafts are double wall which requires special components.

[1987Comanche]

Hmmmm....any way I can visually check the D/s and determine single wall vs. double wall construction?  According to the parts manual, I should have 53004816:  diagram in the manual doesn't show any cutaway view of the d/s.

  I've also found a few references to people who've used driveshafts from GM vans and trucks.  Would this be a better way to go?  If so what would be the best donor?