Abstract: A reduced length universal joint assembly includes a yoke joined to a flange by a spider. The yoke includes a shaft portion and yoke ears mounted on the shaft portion. The joint assembly includes a flange for connecting to a crankshaft. The flange includes a flange plate and flange ears mounted on the flange plate and extending from the flange plate. A pair of cupped areas is formed in the flange plate for providing space for each of the yoke ears of the yoke. A portion of a second side of the flange plate defines a plane, and the cupped areas extend through the plane of the second side and into the flange plate. A portion of each of the yoke ears extends substantially adjacent to the plane of the second side of the flange plate when axes of rotation of the yoke and flange are collinear.