No, Joe. I understand now from Dan's explanation and yours. I've never mounted the slip version shaft and just assumed that the slip section went forward so you could easily get to the flex joint mounted on the transmission, but looks like that assumption is wrong. Like I said, the only reason I have this is to replace the two piece shaft currently mounted with my ZF box should I decide to mount a std 4 speed box while doing repairs on the ZF. Not a job I look forward to doing anytime soon since I do not have access to a lift. As a minimun, I need to replace the rear cover on the ZF box. It has a broken speedometer clamping section and there is a small leak from the seal located in that section. After several years of bugging ZF, I was finally able to get a brand new aluminum cast rear cover plate. I was also able to get the proper ZF reverse light switch which has a slightly longer actuating pin than the MB version which will fit and work provided the brass/aluminum seal ring is left off
George