35 hp Suzuki shift rod is too long~problem with lower unit installation

[stonemanofwaxhaw]

A friend has asked me to help repair his Suzuki 35 HP outboard. The original lower unit was stolen and he bought another one off Ebay.
The problem I am encountering is the shift rod in the new lower unit is way too long.
It sticks out of the lower unit about 6".
Based on the location of the shift coupler in the upper housing, this shafter rod should only be about 2" long.
Basically here is the problem:
When the shifter rod engages the coupling, the lower unit is still 4" from mating to the upper housing making it impossible to assemble.

I can not find any notes about the shifter shatf being different anywhere! The parts breakdowns I have found show only one shaft part number.

I need help and advice
Thanks

[keakar]

sounds simple enough, he bought a lower unit for a long shaft motor and he has a short shaft motor.

if you ever got past the shifter you would find the main shaft is also too long and you cant put it together.

its not the end of the world but you will need to buy the shift rod and main shaft for the short shaft motor and swap them out

take measurements to confirm all this but im sure thats your problem