A little background information:

I am in process of converting my 1998 2WD Dodge Ram 2500 QCSB 12 valve VN4500 to 4WD. I have the 4WD frame fully assembled with all components including engine, transmission and transfercase. The next step is to re-install the cab on the frame.

I am using a 2006 Ford NP271 transfercase behind my NV4500. Unlike the Dodge NP271, used Ford NP271 transfercases are plentiful and inexpensive. The unit I purchased has 100k miles on it and was from a 2006 5.4L gas F-250. I paid $300 for it. When I opened the case to install the Dodge input shaft, the chain was tight and the internals showed no discernible wear.

Both front and rear driveshafts are too long. I knew the rear driveshaft would be too long because it is the original 2WD shaft. The front section of the rear driveshaft can be shortened. I am concerned about the rear section of the rear driveshaft. Will the rear section of the 2WD driveshaft be too short for 4WD? I'm thinking the 4WD factory 4" lift blocks may require a longer rear section. Does anyone know if the rear section of the 2WD and 4WD rear driveshafts are the same? Can someone with a 4WD QCSB and Dana 80 measure the rear section of the rear driveshaft for me? Weld-to-weld measurement should be easy with shaft in the truck.

I purchased a used OEM driveshaft from a 2000 4WD NV4500 Dodge 3500 diesel. I expected it to fit, but it is also too long. Can someone with a 2500 NV4500 Dana 60 truck measure the length of the front driveshaft from U-joint to U-joint and weld-to-weld? With these measurements, I can determine if I was sent the correct front driveshaft. If I do have the correct driveshaft, then I need a custom shaft for this NP271 conversion. (edit: I later learned that I received a front driveshaft from a NV5600 equipped 3500, not an NV4500 equipped 3500.)

Thanks in advance for your help. I've searched for weeks looking for the lengths of the Dodge factory shafts. I have found lengths for Jeep and Ford driveshafts, but nothing on Dodge.

 

I'm using that same shaft in my 1stgen because I needed one a little longer. The 1stgen shaft (727 or 5spd) is 1-2" shorter. The CV is a Saginaw instead of a Spicer, but it fits the tcase flange just the same.

 

I know it's been a while. I stumbled upon my old post, so I thought I would update it with the information I eventually found for front driveshafts. May be it will help someone.

Spicer - 921716-1515, Mopar - 52105860AA 15-1/4" weld-to-weld
Spicer - 921782-1402, Mopar - 52105840AB 13-7/8" weld-to-weld
Spicer - 921782-1416, Mopar - 52105871AB 14-3/8" weld-to-weld
Spicer - 921782-1601, Mopar - 52105862AB 15-7/8" weld-to-weld (I used this one with Spicer 211631X CV flange for my 5 speed/NV271F 4WD conversion)
Spicer - 921782-1924, Mopar - 52105866AB 19-3/4" weld-to-weld

For the rear shaft, I had a local driveshaft shop modify the front portion of my 2WD drive shaft to make a 1-piece rear driveshaft. The shop re-used the 1410 weld-on yoke, the 15 on 16 splined midship shaft and the accompanying 15 on 16 slip yoke (from the rear section) along with a Spicer 3-2-1709 flange. The Spicer 3-2-1709 flange mates to the NV271F output flange. The shaft is configured as follows from transfer case to Dana 80: NV271F flange/Spicer 3-2-1709 flange/1410 U-joint/15 on 16 slip yoke/15 on 16 splined midship shaft/3.5" tubing/1410 weld-on yoke/1410 U-joint/Dana 80 pinion yoke. The components from the original driveshaft shaft that were not used were the transmission slip yoke and the rear section from U-joint to U-joint.

Hope this helps someone.