Question about slip yoke

Some single cabs did in fact come with a one piece shaft sporting a DC joint and no support bearing as pictured. I don't know the years/trim packages that apply. The conventional 2 joint shafts were far more common.
That being said, something is funny with the joint in the pics. I see an "OE" Koyo inside clip style on one end and an outside clip on the other (of the DC). I don't know/can't tell if this is a result of the inexperienced "mechanic" or what. An 01 most likely should be the outside clip style (both). There is only one known replacement for them (on extra and d-cabs). I am not positive that the single cab DC takes the same one as the ex-cabs.

Random points,
The Koyo joint in the pics is not the same number as an OE ex-cab inside clip style.
Inside and outside style joints are not interchangeable.
The likely way the OP's situation will be resolved is thru a driveline shop experienced with Toyota shafts.
Parts houses frequently list the incorrect joints for the Taco DC.
There are a few joints out there that are within a few thou of the correct size but still incorrect. This may be what the OP is seeing.
Precision measurements of the original parts may be required for someone not familiar with the issue. These dimensions can be referenced in several manufacturer's catalogs. Dana/Spicer and Neapco are good as is Rockford Driveline. The latter being tho only known manufacturer of the outside clip style mentioned above.

See here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/double-cardan-joint.273119/#post-6745013

 

Correct.

Some single cabs came with the double cardan joint as shown. Sounds to me like the front half of the shaft (cardan joint end) is fine. I'll bet he dropped some needle bearings out of one of the caps on the rear.

 

So the cardan joint is fine but after two new u-joints in the rear there is still play in the joint. I have to leave it overnight yet again. Should i tell him to just take it to a speciality shop to do it.

 

Where is the slack? Is it in the cap to yoke mating surface or in the joint itself?

 

In the u-joint itself

 

Yes.

Who is this guy you have working on it? A pro mechanic, or a friend who said he knows how to wrench?

Have you considered getting one from a wrecking yard?

 

It's at a shop i have used for years and i trusted the guy wholeheartedly but i feel like this past year he is started to slip. I most likely will not be using him ever again. I'm going to suggest taking it to a specialist or getting another ds to him in the morning.

 

You hate loosing a trusted mechanic. Maybe just drivelines aren't his bag?

Although those previous pics you posted (the filthy floor) make me wonder if you're not making a good decision by going elsewhere.

 

A good mechanic would be doing this on a workbench. Not even I would do it on the floor in oil lol

 

I dont see how you can get slack in NEW u-joints unless the needle bearings fell out when he was putting them in...

 

This or the joint isn’t wide enough cap-cap.

 

So im trying to go through toyota to make sure iget the correct size u-joints. On the phone with them i gave them the vin # and they said that all three they have are the same. I don't see how that's right and they are $60 each, i don't want to spend $180 on the wrong $#!+.

 

I'd call and quiz a local driveline shop.

 

Yup....driveline shop would have gotten it done the first time