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I'll just toss this out there from experience - if you put even a small dent into a driveshaft and then apply lots of power that happens in an instant.
How long and how far was this truck driven in "front wheel drive" mode after that snapped. I've seen a handful of trucks on the road doing that, granted those were all 20+ year old trucks. Rear drive shaft broken, tie it up to the frame, switch into 4WD, and off you go. Ugh. There are just so many dynamic problems that are lying there. Unless you own your own auto shop, this is a project that will ultimately ruin whatever friendship you have.
You're correct that the 3 trucks I have seen do this, the drive shaft snapped off at the flange/connection to the rear differential (one happened right in front of me and I got to watch the entire show). So, those trucks were able to drive in pseudo-front wheel drive via 4WD. This one would be quite different and I failed to consider those physics. Good catch.
Not necessarily junk.. the person who picks it up will have the parts so bid accordingly knowing that they will pay more for it.
I did a couple 2016 F150s and had a good plan of action. Ended up with 2 low mile nice 2 year old F150s for less than $25k on the road.
I missed out on a theft recovery 2017 King Ranch I am kicking myself in the butt for.. It looked way worse in pictures than real life but had obviously sat in a swamp for 8 months with the windows down. I still am happy with my 2019 since it was new and ordered though.