5 speed drive shaft parts

[gtrbg]

Have a question on 5 speed driveshafts. The one installed in my car seems to have a larger collar on the part that slides on the splined shaft that connects to the rear of the transmission than the extra one I bought as backup. Wonder if there are different styles of if I am missing parts.

See pictures one in car.

[gtrbg]

This is the extra backup one.

[spl310]

The spare is missing the rubber boot.

[rwmann]

Interesting. I've never seen a forward splined yoke with boot.

[theunz]

Is the boot is on backwards?

[SOUPY]

Your extra back up one looks just like my 2 shafts! Did they come with boots, or someone install the boot?

[gtrbg]

Wonder if boot is needed or still available? Not sure about installation direction. Will try to get a better view of boot when I pull the motor/transmission. Also will report on use of engine lift brackets from a GM/Buick and how it fits on a U20. Could not find stock ones.

[spl310]

I believe that Kevin Desirello has reproductions of the early style available.

[gtrbg]

Ok. Will look into that.

Related to the driveshaft there appears to be 2 types of universal joints one sealed and one greaseable. Like the idea of a fitting you can grease but does the fitting on the outside of the joint create balancing issues (see photo). Have seen others versions where the fitting is in the middle but not the end cap. Not much weight but then the balancing plate on the drive shaft is not that big either.