drive shaft 98 chevy k1500

[JonBoy]

just wondering what difference drive shafts make on a truck. I have looked at my 98 chevy (non z71) and its steel and pretty rusty. I have looked on some z71's and there not the same aluminum I think its been awhile. Is there really any noticable differences in the 2?

 

[TheZenTree]

I'm not positive, but I think the ones with the aluminum driveshafts are used on the trucks with auto-trac (NP246) transfer cases. That's what I've been told, anyway.

 

[1badz2nv]

in my experience the u joints are slightly different
steelys came in z71s with either the heavy duty brakes(i.e. heavy half or light 3/4)or manuals. aluminiums came in almost all the x cabs and long beds i thinks it might be what day its was built on both of mine are aluminum 95 xcab Z and a 98 xcab Z but brothers truck, 94 reg cab 5speed Z has a steel