4.0 swap rear driveline

[Jongat88]

I thought I saw some where on here that someone doing the swap from a 2.5 to a 4.0 automatic that a rear driveling out of  a 1997 dodge Durango or Dakota would work. I know its 45 1/2 inches from saddle to saddle is this true. And if you know please put the correct year, make and model of truck am I looking with a driveline left in it. Thanks 

[Eagle]

Why do you need to change the rear axle when you change the engine?

 

[Pete M]

are you speaking of the rear driveshaft?

[mjeff87]

Jon and I have been PM'ing about this.  Yes, he's talking about the rear driveshaft.  He's up in Alaska, doesn't have many options (that aren't quite expensive...)

 

 

[Eagle]

Pardon my confusion. "Driveline" typically refers to everything between the engine and the driving wheels.

 

[mjeff87]

Jon, I did some interneting....wow it's kind of hard finding good info on Dakota rear driveshafts.  As usual, there's a big length size variation depending on driveline configuration, wheelbase, etc.  The shortest one I could find mentioned anywhere was 63" for a "standard" cab, 4WD with manual transmission.  Some Dakotas and Ram p/u's also came with 2 piece rear shafts with a carrier bearing in the center.  So I don't think a Dakota shaft would work for you unless you had a shop cut it down.  Again, that's all from Googling, so FWIW.

 

You might try a Dakota to see if they are any shorter (??)

 

Jeff