1972 "260" ujoint -to- 1977 "297" ujoint upgrade ?

[viking427]

Was given a set of front axles (longs/ujoints/stubs) out of a 1977 (Dana 44) Blazer front end that I want to put into a 1972 (Dana 44) Blazer front end to get the later style larger "297" u-joints. Its my understanding the stubs & longs are exactly the same dimensions (diameters, lengths, everything) and that only the U-joints on them are larger on the 73-77 D44 axles, thus it is a direct, no-headaches swap, but then someone said no, I also need the knuckles and spindles off the 77 since the 77 stubs are larger and won't fit into the smaller 72 knuckles/spindles. I knew the wheel bearings were larger in the 73+ spindles, but I thought the stubs were exactly the same dia. & length and only the u-joints were different. Can someone confirm the stubs are indeed interchangable and I don't need the 77 knuckles & spindles ? -thanks