The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Same part #’s on transmissions but their different

We noticed today while attempting the tranny swap that the U-joint and yoke looks different on the replacement than on the original. Pics are attached. Both cases look identical as are the part #’s. I can’t count the splines on the output shaft of my current transmission because it’s still in the truck. Wondering now if the new replacement yoke will fit onto the torque tube on my truck? Can anyone explain?

Note: the U-joint & yoke look beefier than the one we are replacing. Also the original U-joint has 7/16” bolts. The replacement U-joint has no bolts. I don’t even know how to take it apart.

Note: The last pic is of a U-joint like the one in my current transmission which is still in the truck.

Thank you!

I think what you have there is a 3/4 ton universal joint, which uses a short stub shaft between the transmission and torque tube, with another u-joint at the rear of the stub shaft and the torque tube. The 3-speed transmission is the same on 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton, but the u-joints are different.

You may be able to remove it from the replacement trans by sticking a socket through the center to loosen the bolt holding it to the tranny output shaft. If that doesn't work, you'll have to remove the snap rings that are visible in your third photo to disassemble the u-joint, sliding the bushings out so the rear yoke and cross can be removed. You'll need to use the u-joint that has the bolt-on bushings holding it together (like photo #4). The other one won't be usable unless you unbolt the rear axle and slide it back, but you don't want to do that, because you'll need to unbolt the rear axle to change the u-joint.