I'll try to make this as short as possible

So- I just snagged a 1983 240d 4spd, wrecked in the front. Was running and driving as of 4/13/19 (day of wreck) with 175k on the odo... unsure if that is accurate or not.

I'm harvesting the trans and all associated parts to go into my 1983 300D.

Obviously, per everyone else that has done the swap i suppose, some points of concern/modification are:

1.) Driveshaft length
2.) Shift linkages
3.) Flywheel
4.) Crossmember (use auto 240d one)


From my understanding, put simply, you need 4" lopped off of a manual 240 front driveshaft in order to make the swap. Which means the front shaft needs to be ~19.5", eh?

If i have access to a 300CD driveshaft, that had the 4spd swapped in, Would the front driveshaft work as long as i balanced it to my rear section?

Basically my question is- on a w123, what dictates front shaft length and what dictates rear shaft length?

From my understanding- and someone correct me if im wrong *please*-
Front shaft is dictated by engine/trans combo,
Rear shaft is dictated by wheelbase


IF that is correct, then that manual swapped 300CD shaft should work in my 1983 300D sedan, correct?

Seller claims it is ~20.5", i forgot where he said he measured from, but per needing a 19.5" driveshaft, that sounds right?

Here is the shaft- anyone able to decipher this via paint code?

What have you guys done for this situation? I, unfortunately, don't have any excellent driveshaft shops nearby.

Thanks a bunch, in advance

__________________
'84 300D Euro 5 spd
'83 240D 4spd
'83 300D/5 spd manual/Lifted+28" AT Tires
'83 300SD
'10 E63

Parting out- '79 Euro 280TE Green/Green & '89 300SEL White/Grey