A simple awd question for you guys

[sluggish]

As some know I am planning an awd 1950-ish chassis swap with my 96 ex as a donor. From what I have read, people are saying that by removing the front driveshaft, the truck may creep when parked. Is this the only issue with doing that? I was thinking I would remove it during the summer so I can have dome gun with rwd and just put it back in for the winter snowy roads. I use my parking brake all the time anyway so why couldn't I just continue to do so and not have the creeping issues. I haven't crawled underneath it yet and have yet to begin the project but unless there is some strange reason not to do this, I'm thinking that may be the plan. Any input as to why I couldn't. I am thinking I will mark the shaft and flanges for re-install so as not to create any out of balance issues and put it back in when winter hits. I am thinking it will save me some mileage in the summer as well(will help fund rear tires. It will be my daily driver year round for those wondering. Thanks.

 

[Turdle]

The jury is still out on whether or not using the awd transfer case with only the rear drive shaft will cause internal damage to the transfer case.

I do know from personal experience, merely removing the front shaft does not result in pure burnout joy. It seems once there is a speed differential sensed in the t case power will be applied to the non slipping yoke.

However, you can swap in a bw 4406 true 4x4 transfer case to get true 2wd-4wd or even 4wd low range. If you are handy and have the tools it is pretty simple.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166726&highlight=4406

Then going to the next level, although it is a slight difference I think it is worth swapping in a front CAD ( central axle disconnect) differential . This unit also "unlocks" the front diffy allowing it to free spin in 2wd.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188359

Beware! this will require a little additional clearance to the oil pan. If the oil pan in your truck is steel, you can "clearance it" --starting at post #26 in the above thread.



The 97-up front differentials are all parasitic, with no hubs to unlock. 96 and down v64x4's have the CAD differential, just match your gear ratio and you are good to go.

In 2wd mode My truck performs like a 2wd vehicle.

How well will it work? For what it is worth the "Turdle" had a 4406 swap and the selectable front differential

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197083

 

[sluggish]

Thanks for the info, never thought of the speed differential sending power to the front of the case. Eventually I'm sure I will do a t case swap and have selectable 4wd but for now I plan to use what I have, since there is no extra cost involved. I have set my budget on this one and I will do my best to stick to it, at least until it is legally on the road. After that if things happen to break, well that's just maintenance. So I may not be able to do burnouts, guess that will be left up to the Dodge. Time to give that some more ponies I guess.

The plan is to be mechanically sound, nicely done interior but keeping 50's dash style intact, and leaving the body absolutely original, patina and all until I can afford to paint it(if I ever do). Biggest chore will likely be sound deadening to keep the road noise down. I hate road/wind noise unless I'm in a convertible or on a bike.