Ok, I very recently picked up a 2000 Superduty.
The previous owner had removed the Front Driveshaft from the truck (alleging to improve gas mileage), but included it in the sale of the truck.

While the driveshaft was out, I replaced all of the u-joints, and went to fit it to the truck.
When fitting it, it seemed like the driveshaft was about 1" (or so) too short.
I fitted it anyways. I noted (looking at the truck last night) that the splines in the driveshaft had pulled out.
Is it possible that I am missing a spacer that should bolt up to the transfer case? (the double cardan driveshaft on mine bolted up directly to the flange on the output shaft on the transfer case)

The truck has leveling springs in the front.

I intend on removing the driveshaft again this evening as a result, but this is obviously only a temporary fix (and a fix that isn't preferred)

 

I replaced my u-joints last year in my front drive shaft and I don't remember there being any spacer in the double cardan end. I snapped a few pics for you.

 

BTW when you say it's too short the two peice of the driveshaft don't connect at all or it's just pulled out really far?

 

Well, when I was attaching it, it was quite stretched (the rubber boot over the spline was quite stretched).
It obviously (due to going over bumps, and the axle going into full extension), caused the spline to completely pull out.

 

I wonder if it was the proper driveshaft to begin with? This isn't the best pic but heres one of the front part of the driveshaft.

 

Well, that may be the case... the flange at both ends fit fine. It has the correct bolt up to the front shaft.
I will take some photos tonight!

 

I just took mine down on Friday to check what was making noise when I was in 4x4. There were no spacers or anything on my 2001 (Truck in my signature). The boot was also not stretched at all. My shaft looks identical to the one pictured in the above posts. I don't know where you could be coming up short. I guess it could be the aftermarket springs up front. I just went out now, (At 12:15 am in the cold so you better rep me! lol, kidding) and measured it 39 and 1/2 inches from where the flange meets the flange at the torque converter and the driveshaft lobe where the U-Joint goes in at the front differential. <a href="http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/Jimbo1984/?action=view&current=jointtojoint.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/Jimbo1984/jointtojoint.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Sorry for stealing other people's images!!!

I also don't want to steal your thread here, but to anyone who knows, I noticed that the CV joint inside the Double Cardan joint was making noise. Is there anyway to rebuild it. And second, Any recommendations on how to torque the shaft to torque converter flange bolts correctly. My torque wrench is too large to fit in the small space between the bolt head and the torque converter. I just used a pipe on my box end wrench to get it "tight" I know that's pretty shady work, but at least it's MY tuck, so no one can complain. 76 ft/lbs is a tough amount of pressure to just guess at.

 

Maybe the leveling springs were installed backwards, and need to be swapped end for end.

If the locating pin isn't in the center of the spring pack it seems like a possibility.

 

No problem with the images. You're welcome to use them.

For the front drive shaft Federal-Mogul makes the H yoke replacements. I think the part numbers are 630F and 650. You can check it out on their parts catalog on the link below. In the "Vehicle Look-up" select "Drivelines and Axles" then enter your MY info.

Federal-Mogul's Complete Automotive Light Duty Catalog

As far as the bolts on the transfer box side I don't remember exactly what I did when I replaced by u-joint's but I think there was one spot where my torque wrench would fit so I hand tightend the bolts and then spun the drive shaft to that spot for each bolt. I would normally say use a crowfoot but since the bolts are 12-point it won't work.

 

Very weird. Sounds like maybe someone got a driveshaft from an earlier truck, like a 1997 and "thought" it would fit. I can't think of any reason it wouldn't work if it's just a "leveling" kit.

I remember there was a TSB for certain trucks with a driveshaft installed that was about 1" too short, but I don't think this is the case here if the thing is just about to fall apart when installed.

Maybe take some measurements and visit a junkyard. Or, a driveshaft shop.

 

I will measure the distance from the transfer case flange to the front axle input this evening to confirm.

 

Ok, I measured the distance from the transfer case flange to the to the center distance of the front u-joint. It was 42.5", but I can tell from the photos of your front driveshafts that it mine is stretched much further than 3"!

I am guessing it is the wrong shaft.

 

You have pics of it installed?

 

No - I removed it before I took photos. I will take a photo of it this evening.

 

Bump. Any pics yet? I'm curious on what this looks like.