Looking for the best and fastest way to ID prop shafts in a quantity of unknown ones (no/illegible tags).
More specifically rear shaft 2520-01-413-2724/6003666/12447113 and mid shaft 2520-01-413-0080/6002607/12447114, ones for a truck with 4L80E and 4 bolt 242 t-case.
I'm guessing overall length would be easiest/fastest. If so, what would be the OAL of those?
Any thing else that might help? Any distinctive stamped or cast marks?
Are you talking about the driveshaft?
If so; they are identified by the type of yoke, style and series of u-joint, center support bearing if applicable, and length.
Your best bet is to measure from a known vehicle with that combination and match those measurements to the cores in the field.
Driveshafts are built from individual parts (end yokes) pressed into tubing and welded.
The tubing between those parts can be any length and was cut from bulk tubing and so has no part number associated.
The end yokes have part numbers as do the slip yokes, and splines but they don't relate to an overall assembly.
In other words; you aren't going to find a tag or number on the driveshaft itself to help identify what vehicle it fits.
You need to know the style and or size of forward attachment, any center bearings it may have, and the rear attachment, and the length of segments in between or overall length.
Overall length is usually expressed as a "seal to center" measurement (taken from seal of output of transfer case or transmission to center of rearmost u-joint)
Or a center to center measurement (center of forward most u-joint to center of rearward most u-joint with the splined portion in the middle of it's play.)
But for people trying to find a used driveshaft to fit a given vehicle, do this;
Identify the transfer case attachment, measure from the seal in the case of a slip yoke or center in case of an output yoke to the center of where the rear u-joint fits into the pinion yoke of the rear axle.
Do this with the vehicle sitting flat with any suspension modifications installed.
What the measurement is on YOUR vehicle will dictate the length of shaft YOU need.
There are many exceptions and special cases in the world of driveshafts.
Things get swapped and cobbled welded together over the years.
Make sure you know the things mentioned above before you buy.
Drivelines are an art form.
Often overlooked but dearly missed the second they let go.
