front driveshaft questions

[FireZJ]

I destroyed the double cardan on my front driveshaft on new years doing a hill climb, and now need to replace it. I have been looking for a used one, but Ihave been told that the design changed going from the pre 11-1-95 production date to the 11-2-95 and later date. I have the 5.2 with the 249 t-case, production date is 8-95 and the shaft I have had the double cardan at the t-case and the cv joint at the diff. it is 20 inches from the rear end of the cv boot to the base of the first yoke of the dc. the part number is 52099246 I am wondering if i can only use those that fall in the production period prior to 11-1-95 or if i can use others as well. i am specificly looking at one from a 1998 5.9 with part # 52098379
any info would be awesome cuz this is getting amazingly frustrating as i dont really feel up to spending 400+ on a new one
thanks

[jfowlzj95]

Just convert the drive shaft to a U-joint shaft, get rid of the CV it will only break on you later.

[FireZJ]

i would but i am going to be looking to sell this one soon and move on to another. i also need to get this done on the quick side

[FireZJ]

anyone know if the front shaft from a 98 5.9 will bolt up properly or no?
Ive gotta get this thing back on the road soon

(also if anyone has one and could measure it from the small end of the cv boot to the base of the yoke, that would be helpful so i could get the length)

[FireZJ]

nobody here knows?

[jfowlzj95]

If its the Type 3 (CV shaft) and you're still at stock height, it will fit.

[EMTimZJ]

Yeah it will fit, the niner is the type 3; aka CV (grease filled rubber boot style) that yours has.

[FireZJ]

Thanks guys, I cant wait to get this thing back on the road and trails.

[Jsk8r1]

If your gonna sell it, get rid of it before you hit up the trails again and break it and have to go through this again. If your gonna keep it just swap in the u-joint style drive shaft.

[ZJRuss]

What ever rout you go take your tape measure with yo uwhen shopping for parts like that! The NP249 in my 95' sits about 5" farther back from the cross member than the NP249 in my 98', also 95' and earlier ZJ's had D30's that used a longer pinion shaft too! Good luck.