Ok so I just got an 88 C1500 off my friend for $100. It needs a driveshaft. He tells me there were 8 different sizes of driveshaft for that year and his was the biggest and therefore harder to find. First off how true is this, second off would it be easier for me to just get one aftermarket? Oh yeah, truck has a 350, auto tranny (700r4 i would assume), and 8.5 rear end.

 

I have a most likely identical setup and I have a aluminum shaft. Look around a junkyard, that is possibly the most popular small truck engine/tranny/rear end combo

 

Most junk yards have a huge stash of driveshafts. There are a number of different shafts for that year yes, but that is because of all the different models - long bed, shortbed, extended cab short bed, extended cab long bed, overdrive, non overdrive, standard. You obviously know which of these is yours and it should narrow your options down to one. Go to a decent junk yard and they should be able to tell you which one you need (bring your VIN number). If they don't have one they should be able to give you the proper measurement so you could either search other yards or get one online. Good Luck!!!!