In the haynes manual, it says to remove the driveshaft, the exhaust must be removed. I remember reading something on here that someone said about driveshaft installation - that it's really easy to do ("A monkey could do it") and removing the exhaust wasn't necessary.

has anyone done this without removing the exhaust? I haven't checked yet as I don't have a hydraulic jack and jackstands as of yet. maybe that person was talking about a 1st gen?

 

You could probably do it, but it would be more time and work for you in the long run. Since you're gonna put it up on jacks and not a lift, you need as much room under the car as possible. Removing the exhaust would definately be a plus.

If you have a stock exhaust, the main cat and it's heat shield would be a pain to have to work around, expecially in such cramped quarters.

You could drop the d/l from the back then slide it over the y-pipe I guess. I don't think I'd go thru the hassle because reinstallation would be a bitch.

Just my .02.

 

I've gone through this twice now and ended up dropping from the Y pipe back. I was able to slide the shaft in over the rest of the exhaust.
One caveat is that I had the car up on a lift to install. To get the old shaft in the junkyard, I was on my back and undid the Y pipe there as well. The car was just up on those stands they use.
If at all possible, get a lift to work under because those nuts holding the shaft on to the rear axle can be difficult to crack.
Grease everything up and watch your transmission fluid as you take out the shaft from the transmission end.
Ralf

 

Well it seems that it would be best to take the exhaust off. I don't have too many tools and I fear I'll rip the exhaust all up, I think most of it's pretty old. Thanks for your replies, I think I'll just take it in to the shop and get reamed.