I was looking into getting a 5" aluminum shaft made for my regular cab long bed 04 2500hd 2wd turbo gas truck. Found a local shop that says he has built many for silverados both 2wd and 4wd. I only have 1.25" clearance right now from the stock 3.5 driveshaft to the torsion bar cross member. I know the carrier bearing support would have to be cut off. I don't think I could even get a straight driveshaft in with that crossmember, not to mention the minimum 2" clearance to anything the shop recommends.

What am I missing? Cut up the crossmember and weld in a big u?

 

I did the same thing... Custom 1 piece aluminum on my crew cab 2500 4x4 lowered... Ran out of room where the carrier bearing was.. I cut it and welded flat stock in.

 

Cool thanks. I did replace all the ujoints and the center bearing. so far so good.