Hi, I'm currently looking into shaft options for custom built Unimog 404 axles and wanted some advice.

I've sourced some custom shafts for the front axle which are standard length 'short' side shaft, with lengthened splines. This is to allow the front axle housing to be modified with the diff pumpkin on the right for Rover, Toyota, Nissan etc. transfer cases.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq338/plasticbadger/Shaft.jpg

My transfer case will be a Rover sourced LT230 with front and rear outputs on the right. My first 404 axled build had full width 404s with the basic offset swap on the front axle using the shaft above, but now I want to narrow as the full width is too big for European events.

So the question is, are there any standard combinations of shafts to narrow the axles, front and rear, by about 4 to 6 inches? I see plenty of people quoting a 5.5 inch narrowing job, so is this a 'standard' formula keeping 1 shaft, changing the diff offset and having 1 custom shaft made?

I have access to a radial drill, mill and lathe to shorten shafts if need be, but this obivously only works if the shaft is 'full' diameter outboard of the splines.

If you don't mind having centered diffs it seems to me the easiest thing would be to just use two short side shafts.

the other option would be to source a pair of 411 axles.

mabee a early 411 shaft might fit but by the time you find one its probs cheeper to do a custom shaft
rob at A.R.T offroad will get you one any lenth you want
have you seen my post on difflock over shortening the mog housing