Gen 2.5 Left Side Short Driveshaft

[evomaki]

Finding a Montero with the winter package is not at all easy here in the southeastern US. I'm trying to get 4.67 gear set and factory locker into my kid's 2000 Montero. I have compiled all the parts with the exception of the short driver-side shaft. I mistakenly thought the short shaft from the gen 2 SR donor would work, until I learned it won't (different ABS tone ring). Then I figured what the heck just order it from an online Mitsu parts vendor for just over $200. That plan was great until I learned it is no longer available. So does anyone have a spare gen 2.5 driver side axle shaft they wouldn't mind selling?

Alternatively, anybody know if it is possible to machine down the old long shaft, into a short shaft? I'm sure that might be involved with cutting splines, but what the heck, I'm invested as they say. I just haven't a clue as to the length I would have this machined to? I seriously doubt we'd mock it up and just say, "Oh take about a 1/2" off." Any driveline experts out there with some parts for sale or wisdom to offer on the machining route. Thanks,

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I have access to a 98 with locker but my spare time is quite limited lately.

 

[nckwltn]

do you have any photos or images of what you're talking about.... I'm pretty sure that on the driver's side the CV joint assembly has the axle as part of the assembly... on the passenger's side there is an axle with a flat flange that the passenger CV assembly bolts to.

I pulled the front end from a 95 SR swapped it into my '99 without any issues. I did have to pull the shafts from my '99 axle housing and put them into the one from the '95. But that did the trick upfront, the splines are the same. The flange on the passenger side that bolts to the CV joint assembly will need to be swapped out, because the bolt pattern is slightly different from the gen 2 to the gen 2.5. But take your gen 2.5 axle shaft and swap it into the gen 2 housing....

**Note, the SR and LS gen 2's have different sized gears up front. Same ratio, but different sizes (LS is smaller than SR, and not as strong).


In the rear, from what I understand the lengths from the gen 2 axle shafts are not the same as what is needed in the gen 2.5... so if you're trying to upgrade to a locking rear end, you'll need a specific length axle for the rear. Because I was going from a '99 with locker and swapping in the rear gears from a 95 SR (with locker) axles were all the right lengths.

 

[evomaki]

I have access to a 98 with locker but my spare time is quite limited lately.

Hey jeep-N-montero, no problem totally get it. Let me know if time frees up. You have been good parts source in the past. Will return the favor with top $ so you can get something cool for your ride. Sorry nckwltn if I was not clear. I need the rear driver side axle shaft it is shorter on an air locker equipped axle.

I'm not an expert on much, and driveline buildups (ring and pinion work, axle shafts, all that) are on that list. Anybody know if a shaft can be cut down with existing splines correspondingly lengthened?

 

[nckwltn]

Sorry, I assumed you were talking about the front axle.

Are gen 2.5s not common at scrapyards? The lkq near me seems to drop in off every so often.


Can you put in the gen 2.0 axle and not have abs for a while until you source the right axle?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Sorry, I assumed you were talking about the front axle.

Are gen 2.5s not common at scrapyards? The lkq near me seems to drop in off every so often.


Can you put in the gen 2.0 axle and not have abs for a while until you source the right axle?

The 98-99 models are the rarest to find, they only sold a combined total of 35,000 domestically for those 2 model years, the breakdown is shown here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Pajero

 

[evomaki]

Would prefer to keep the ABS, it could save my kid's bacon. There is a very high caliber driveline shop, Hudlow Axle, in Rossville, GA. Probably a 2 hour drive for me. May have to go on a road trip. I'll take my gen 2.0 short shaft and my too long gen 2.5 shaft, and see if the latter can't be made into the former. At this point that's probably my best bet. If they can, I'd be a happy camper.

 

[Toasty]

If I come across one i'll pick it up.

 

[evomaki]

Thanks Toasty. I appreciate you keeping an eye out for me. If I have to go that route, you have any idea what the feedback might be from this axle shop on cutting the axle down and extending the splines? All I could tell them was 31 splines. I didn't know the diameter of the axle shaft.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Thanks Toasty. I appreciate you keeping an eye out for me. If I have to go that route, you have any idea what the feedback might be from this axle shop on cutting the axle down and extending the splines? All I could tell them was 31 splines. I didn't know the diameter of the axle shaft.

That will be an expensive venture, I will see when I can get back over to that 98 and save you some headaches.

 

[plh]

The 98-99 models are the rarest to find, they only sold a combined total of 35,000 domestically for those 2 model years, the breakdown is shown here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Pajero

I would certainly guess that 35k "domestically" in this article refers to Japan in that chart. The rest of world "export" saw about 150k units those years combined. Thought I read somewhere (I'll find the source later) that only about 3,500 each of those years made it to the USofA.

 

[bryAWD]

So, to make a year 2000 Endeavor have a locker, the only bet is to find another 98-99 to make it a straight-forward swap?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

So, to make a year 2000 Endeavor have a locker, the only bet is to find another 98-99 to make it a straight-forward swap?

Sure is, unless you swap in earlier SR front and rear assemblies with different gearing, several threads on here describing the process with pictures.