99 2500 Driveshaft size/length debacle HELP!

[thebenthermit]

99 Ram 2500 2wd 5.9L Gas Auto Standard Cab Shortbed wheelbase way below 134.7(135), approximately 117-118". I see some Ram wheelbases are 118.7 and/or 119-mostly 1500 4x4's though?

Anyway my buddy's driveshaft fell off a couple days ago and was damaged so we're looking for a used one. After the whirlwind of phone calls between junkyards and the dealership, it turns out no one knows much and I'm not trying to spend enough to have it rebuilt(approx $350).

This driveshaft, although dented in a few places, measured from center cap to center cap at 50-3/8" or 128mm. This number is my exact measurement but will be off from the actual size bc of the dents, could be a inch or so. The diameter is 4" and it's a solid one piece shaft.

Again, this isn't a 4x4, this is an early 99, slapped together or tagged in March. No one can seem to find a small enough Driveshaft to put in this thing. Maybe a driveshaft from an earlier year might work? A shaft from a 1500 4x4? I have no idea what year and model to tell the junkyard guy so that he can order a part bc the year and model I have makes no sense...

Most of the shorter shafts I'm finding are from earlier years and are 4x4 rear axles, some look like a smaller diameter than the 4", I think some are listed at 3". I'm peaking around on Ebay to see if I can find numbers, measurements, whatever I can.

Has anyone ever had a debacle like this?

I'm new and not a Ram guy. So I have no idea where to go here. I do work on cars and various items. Any and all help is definitely appreciated. Thanks

 

[Moparfanatic21]

First off the rear driveshaft doesn't matter if it's a 4x4 or 4x2 as looking as it had the same rear end (Dana 60) so you can't use a 1500 one as the 2500 u joints are slightly bigger. I do believe that a club cab short bed uses the same driveshaft as a regular cab long bed

 

[DodgeTx]

This one if from a 2500 v10 2000 extended cab rwd. It came with a rear end I bought for my old 4x4. Best bet would be to go to a parts yard, get a 1500 one and count splines change rear u joint if needed.

other pic from a 2001 extended cab 1500 rwd 5.2l Auto

 

[dapepper9]

OP said standsrd cab shortbed 2500, that's not an option factory. Sounds to me like somebody may have done a frame chop and if that's the case, you're best off going to an actual driveshaft shop though one from a reg cab short bed 1500 would probably work if you used a conversion joint at the axle

 

[DodgeTx]

Post a picture of the truck from the side, then we can assist further,