Driveshafts....all the same?

A used one with the same joints will be fine. Length is crucial though, so make sure slip yokes can fully extend and retract.

 

No they are not all the same. Common joint sizes are 1610 / 279, 1710 /280, 1760 / 407, 1810 / 281.
Those are joints with all drive in caps. They come the same size in half round joints. Two caps drive in and two on the other yoke have bolt on straps.
It is possible to buy a used longer bolt in cap joint shaft and shorten it. I have done it on a concrete floor and jack stands many times.
Some of these newer Volvo shafts and such have you locked into big bucks.
Can you send a few pic of what you are working on?

 

Driveshaft work isn’t all that expensive. New yoke while you’re at it if needed. Check them good. Sometimes they’re eggholed, even though ujoint is a tight fit. Look real good with ujoint installed. They can do whatever’s needed. Change ends, new tube, whole new driveshaft Might just be well worth getting a new one with new tube. Nice and straight.

 

Depends what you're trying to do. If you can find the same drive shaft in the scrapyard you may find the right length.

The second cheapest is to get one that's longer and have them cut it down.

The most expensive is to have the driveshaft shop make it for you.

But I absolutely if it's something for a work truck buy new joints whatever yokes you need if you do, have a new carrier bearing put on it and make sure they balance the drive shaft

 

They are all different.

A good driveshaft shop is worth its weight in gold. Bite the bullet.

There are so many different varieties than the only commonality may be the interaxle shaft assy on a tandem drive set. There is still many different sizes and brands, too. Every OEM drive shaft is made to order based on driveline series and custom lengths, then spin balanced as an assembly.

 

I have to say I have a shop it makes driveshafts for me and there's nothing cheap about it.

But they know those Drive lines inside out and they have the right equipment.

They have a jig to cut the tube perfectly straight. Then they have an automatic welder that welds it as another setup spins it.

Then that same machine will spin it and balance it.

Then they give you instructions to show what part is supposed to go where so that everything is together correctly to be in balance.

 

The equipment is not cheap and neither is quality labor. There is also a ton of liabilty on driveshaft works due to its critcal nature. I'm not sure I would even want a cheap driveshaft shop. If you found one, there would most certainly be quality issues.

 

Cheap is relative, good drive shaft will last the life of the truck if not abused, they quoting you higher than 3k? Fine, might be a tad high, find a different shop, but under that, not really