Rear end info

I can not afford a 8 3/4 rear end at this time. Will a 7 1/4 yoke and 8 3/4 yoke interchange so I can use the same driveshaft.
I THINK that the small u-joint for a 8 3/4 (as opposed to the large joint) might be the same as a 7 1/4. But! The distance from axle centerline to mounting point of the u-joint is bigger on a 8 3/4, so even if the yokes are the same, you would still have to shorten the driveshaft.