Shortening an axle

[78calico]

On the front axle (I'm assuming here.) the u-joint will be centered inline with the steering axis. (imaginary line between upper and lower balljoints) The tube seal location can remain the same as it is on the inner end of the axle tube. When ordering a custom axle you will need to know the length between the end of the shaft and the center of the ears. the spline count and length, and the machined seal surface would be the same as stock for what I think you are planning. As there are several stock axleshaft legnths it would be wise to narrow the axle to a width that you can use an off the shelf shaft for cost reasons and time it would take to obtain a replacement custom shaft if you break one.