Don't Gen III half-shafts have a better slip-joint? & do they fit Gen IIs?

[PhoenixGTS]

Years ago I wheel hopped my car hard several times and blew out a universal joint on the driver's side half-shaft. I bought a low-mile take-off used half-shaft for $100 and was good to go. I remember hearing at that time that the issue with the Gen II half-shafts is the the slip-joint binds in extreme circumstance and the lack of length adjustment can over load the u-joints. I hear the slip-joint on the Gen III half-shafts solves this issue. If this is true, can you use Gen III half-shafts on a Gen II?

I recently blew up a rear shock by wheel hopping the car again so last night I braved the frigid 50F ambients (that was for you guys who live up north) and slid under the car to inspect the half-shaft universal joints. Happily, but for some of the cup seals looking pretty beat the u-joints look good. These are robust cars most of the time.

 

[dave6666]

I thought the Gen 3 was CV joints?

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Yes Gen2 are U-joint and Gen3 are CV.

 

[Sweet Ride]

Having just been under a Gen 3 and having replaced the shafts on my Gen 2, I would have to say it wouldn't work. I also checked out the online parts guide and it shows completely different assemblies for the different generations. You may be able to swap out the entire rear end but don't take my word for it.

 

[RTTTTed]

This thread is old, but came up in my search.

Nearly any decent upgrades require stronger half shafts for both Gen 2 and 3s. It's a good thing that Unitrax sells 800hp and Titanium lightweight 1000hp axle shafts.

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

The axel end splines through the hubs are the same, but shafts differents lengths between Gen2/3, besides different diff stubs, you could mount a gen3 diff, but you'd need to weld in the mounts to do so.