So I finally got the 05 bearing carrier installed on my 03 baja. We had to do a little grinding on the axle to remove some metal build up which we noted by mic'ing the axle. This was our problem. The axle had some high spots on it. We knocked down the high spots in different places and got the carrier to slide all the way on. Just gotta finish putting the rest back together and torque the lock nut but waiting on the 2 1/2" clawfoot/crowsfoot to do that.

One thing that led me to the conclusion that all center sections were universal was the fact that a company makes an aftermarket center section and it fits all years!