Engine - Drivetrain

You'll undo a bolt on the bottom of the front diff (14MM), a bolt and spacer on top of the diff (I think 14mm on nut/bolt) and the mount on the front of the diff.   I remove the metal bracket on the front, or at least unbolt it, and loosen the bolt so you can swivel it out of the way.   That's it.   Pull the front diff forward.   The prop shaft will then just slide out.    Check and see if you need the prop shaft or the coupler, or both.  Also check the splines on the shaft coming out of the engine.  They should be square cut, not pointed.   If they're pointed (shark toothed) they're worn out.   Used Shaft https://www.ebay.com/itm/296213716938?epid=1911839859&itmmeta=01HVRVTQP5BSREC4RFXBMWHXNG&hash=item44f7b69fca%3Ag%3AA7MAAOSw9cRlxUff&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HJls4L8zrcD5BV69nyIFrpoNL4tguslMY9%2FXJBfvkAgiUjPZtgcCS%2ForBApuqsc%2FBFlBlCf0pzHMTAwMcoEBj6n3PkpDrg%2Fca9DB%2FOJ--3eGB%2Bz%2FdoDysjhrTzXWjxX2GfX%2BkoNj5r9WQQewOnV29CxZL%2FG7Z2vL%2FcYHWyb69QzRsULM4aqgwzJwzPzmkYmssvVhrXztzrjyXZv%2B3mXpBLWHUEw7yTLEUQL1CKBVh7ipWluy5w95VCYdFWCFxVV0I2HRA2X%2F2ZAeetS29FF48w0wyPQd0KAvW%2FqwHN0wQXOXukFt7B9UspDeyg%2BwZWpSQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR5L76pveYw&LH_ItemCondition=4   Used Coupler https://www.powersportsnation.com/honda-rubicon-500-fa-02-front-drive-shaft-engine-coupler-40402-hn2-000-44196.html   If you want new, part number for complete shaft and coupler is 40400-HN0-670 and it's about $200.    https://www.motosport.com/oem-parts/part-number/40400-HN0-670?mmy=honda%3Btrx450 foreman 4x4 es%3B2004&group=front-final-gear&qty=1   Those are the cheapest used parts I could find, and the cheapest new shaft I could find.   Note that you need 02-04 only.  The earlier 450's were full time 4wd so the shaft is different.

Lol I’ll laugh my butt off. The sellers put a T and I stared at it and wiped it many times thinking no way it shouldn’t be a T.

No it isnt - its a 1 with some dirt LOL Zoom in Give it another wipe with WD40 etc, maybe the water spots will come off

It is a T not a 1.

The 10th digit of the VIN is a 1, meaning 2001  Why were we originally thinking it was 1996? -AKATV