Just wondering if I need to put it in a lathe to cut it so the ends are nice and square or can I get away with careful use of a cutoff wheel and judicious grinding? Also once I've shortened the driveshaft can I lose the support bearing in the middle of the tube? I gather that if the driveshaft is that much shorter it's not going to need it, but obviously I could be very wrong as usual. Thanks Simon P.S. I searched the tech board but couldn't find anything on this.
There was a good post on this here before,but I couldnt find it now. The stuff i remember was: If its getting alot shorter,drop the bearing. you will probably shorten it in that area anyway,if its not a straight tube. (34,i think.) Use a 4" pipe\tube cutter,to get it straight,or a lathe. Im not sure how important this really is,guess you will do good with measuring from the rear flange and out,and cut carefully,and grind it nice. remember to make place for a good,deep weld. The inner shaft,to avoid re-splining,the trick was to get a shaft from 34,(I think it was,check this!). This one you can cut to desired lenght,and weld in the splines part from another shaft,and pin it,too be sure. that job needs a lathe,to get it straight,cause thats where the action is. have a short day.
found it: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=229041&Forum=All_Forums&Words=splined&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=99&Old=1year&Main=228576&Search=true#Post229041 AND WOULD SOMEBODY PUT THIS IN TECH SECTION??