About to go out next weekend and look for an Aluminum Drive shaft for my 1997 3.8

I heard that any type from 93 to 02 will fit, but which years have the 1 piece alum ones?

 

98-02.

You can usually dig them up for around $120 or so. I have one I might be interested in selling

 

Don't ya want a newfangled carbon fiber one? ;-)
http://www.acpt.com/article4.html

 

This might be a dumb question but does the driveshaft go in the rear or the front

 

The driveshaft goes between the rear of the transmission and the center of the rear end. Its what transfers the power from the transmission to your rear to turn the wheels.

 

Is there a How-to or write-up anywhere telling/showing how to remove and install these?

 

Its quite simple actually. Jack up the rear of the car after chocking the front wheels. Jack it up so both wheels are off the ground. Pull the ebrake and climb under the car after making sure its secure. At at the rear end there is a yoke with two straps holding the Universal joint to the rear. Remove the bolts you can reach. Then have a helper take the ebrake off and spin the rear tire until you can reach the second set of bolts. Pull the ebrake again and remove the other two bolts. Place a prybar or large screwdriver between the yoke and universal and pry it towards the front of the car, keeping one hand on the shaft. The shaft will slide further into the transmission and come free from the yoke. Then pull it back and its out. A small amount of trans fluid may come out.

 

carbon fiber sounds pretty cool IMO

 

u missed that if your removing the two piece it you will have to unbolt the carrier bearing from the car as well.

 

Yeah, hopefully i can find a 1piece though.