Front axle removal?

[blacknwhite]

Just curious if the front axle and cv shafts can be removed safely from a 4x4 to cut down on weight and rotating mass for running at the track or no? The cv shafts bolt through the center hub/bearing, but I don't see how they aid in holding the wheel on at all. If anyone can clarify this it will be of great help.

 

[Hokie]

The spindle nut holds the wheel bearing together. You can't drive without it, don't ask me how I know.

 

[Athlonman]

Would it be possible to put in dummy shafts? like take a old worn out cv joint and sperate the ends off so it still fits in the hub to hold it together but you disconnect everything else out. All your left with is a free spinning end of the cv joint.

Would it also be possible to take out the diff as-well?

Gas is too expensive now and this is a free mod to get more MPG. i could just put all the parts back in for the winter.

 

[Spdrcer34]

By the time you did the 'dummy' CV/Axle ends to hold the wheels on, and plug up the Transfer case, the weight savings is roughly 10 lbs...NOT worth it.

For better mileage, why not do something like slow down a little....add an open air intake, modify the TB..

Which motor do you have? I am getting 21-23 in my First Gen 4.0L OHV...

Ryan

 

[Athlonman]

I have the OHV in a 1998, I was thinking of doing "All of the above". Exhaust and intake and anything i can do to get a little more.

It wont really cost anything to do, and if you compare the MPG of a 4x4 to a 2WD it works out to be able 18 - 19 % better.