Front driveshaft removal for towing?

[dozer02]

what's up all? I was just wondering about removing my front driveshaft for the summer for towing my bass boat. Has anyone here done this? BTW it's a 01 ranger 4x4 supercab 4.0 liter with towing package. Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[IZwack]

Doing so won't really save you any gas money or anything.

 

[dozer02]

Thank's dude but I was also wondering if there would be any fluid loss or anything else I should be concerned with if I did pull it out.

 

[Dopler174]

I agree with IZwack. Why would you want to do this? I don't believe there would be any fluid loss. Doesn't it bolt in on both sides?

 

[Red FX4]

There would not be much advantage to removing the front driveshaft. The only benefit I can see is being able to put it in 4WD low and maneuvering around without having the transfer case bind. That could come in handy but having 4WD could also come in handy.

Dopler174 is right; if it is has bolted flanges on both ends, there should be no leaks.

 

[DeRocha]

As the others have already stated there is no advantage to doing so.. So the big question on my mind (and I'm sure everyone else's) is why do you want to pull the front drive shaft?

 

[schmidlkofer]

well 4wd comes in handy on slick boat ramps....guy i know drove his 2wd explorer with small boat on it and could not get up the ramp because the ramp was slick with algae and water....he had to get a tow 4wd would have worked. just a thought....

 

[dozer02]

I read in the owners manual that the shaft should be removed for towing distances of over 50 miles, I'm just not sure why. My boat is only around 1000 lbs. but I just wanted to go by the "book".

 

[FROADER]

That's for if you're flat towing your truck behind something else, like an RV.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

That is if the truck is being towed itself. Not for towing something with the truck.

 

[Red FX4]

That is also in reference to the rear driveshaft. I don't know if the front driveshaft would also need to be removed when towing a 4WD Ranger. If you can put the transfer case in neutral you don't need to remove any driveshaft.

 

[DB_1]

Simply put, your front drive shaft does NOTHING while driving, towing or being towed. It only moves when you engage the T-case.

Aslo, the front driveshaft bolts to yokes on either end, no fluid loss unless you remove the yokes...actually the yokes are bolted to either an input shaft or pinion shaft...but you should've drained the fluid BEFORE unbolting anything:

 

[rwenzing]

Simply put, your front drive shaft does NOTHING while driving, towing or being towed. It only moves when you engage the T-case.

That depends on the year...

2000 1/2+ Rangers 4x4's have "live axles" up front which turn the drive shaft whenever the truck is moving. Engaging 4WD with the transfer case on those years just makes the mechanical connection between the front axle/driveshaft and the rear drive.

 

[DB_1]

I guess that shows how much I know...I'm only familiar with Rangers up to 97: