Just finished installing my recently purchased 8.5" rear end in my 1978 Elky. Imagine my suprise finding out I cannot install the driveshaft. It seems the driveshaft will need to be shortend about 1-1/2-2". Rear end bolted up without much difficulty....is there something I'm missing here? Anybody else running an 8.5" with this situation? Is there any stock drive shafts that will bolt up? THANKS

Are you using a different trans than what was originally in your Elky. This could be the problem. Anyway, if your driveshaft does need to be shortened, and it's in good shape, it's not hard to do it yourself. Carefully grind the weld off at the end without the weight on it, shorten the amount needed, place the end piece back in the tube, making sure that the ends (u-joint holes at both ends) line up the same way, then have it re-welded. If you can't weld it yourself, you can do all the other steps, then take it to a welding shop for them to complete this step.

The car was originally a stick, the th350 swap was done before I bought it. Thanks for the reply, I just might cut it up myself.

Do the automatic/manual cars share the same lenght driveshaft? 78&up