Removing front driveshaft on AWD

[nrschaaf]

Hey guys, quick question. The CV (or something similar) joing on the back of my front driveshaft started clicking and popping today. I've got to take the truck over 500 miles from home tomorrow morning and wont be back for about 2 weeks so I won't be able to get my hands on a new joint (or maybe whole driveshaft, I havent looked into it yet but it doesnt look like it comes off) before I leave.

What I'm wondering is if I remove the driveshaft will there be any adverse effects, aside from the parking gear issue? I'm only gonna be logging road miles so I figured if I avoid wheel slip the ECU shouldnt even know.

 

[nrschaaf]

So I found the sticky, already forgot who's post it was to thank but thanks if you read this. After reading the first few pages I'm more confused. Both arguements seem to make sense. I've got a good spare TC so I'm just gonna go ahead with it and see what happens.

 

[soon2b351]

i used to remove the front drive shaft in my 96 sport (5.0L) for the spring and summer the only issue i ever encountered was the truck did roll in park.... i just kept a brick with me, mainly because i was too lazy to replace the rusted out Ebrake cables.

 

[moneyguy]

ran mine for over a year with the shaft out. kept a cheap chock with me and it was fine.

 

[soon2b351]

i wont be using a front driveshaft in the AWD ranger until the snow season (if there is one this year) for $30 i scored a a pair of new E brake cables, so i dont have to keep a brick on hand

 

[gcf1010]

I have a 99 eb that was awd about six months ago when the cv joint went bad. so i decided to pull the front drive shaft. i park on an incline everyday and never had the problem with it rolling. i was going to get a junk yard one but i believe the bearings are bad on the output shaft of the tc. (which caused the cv joint to go bad.)

 

[soon2b351]

now thats odd, i know the T-cases are different in the 96-97 vs 98-00 (at least the output flange to the front drive shaft is) ive heard that the 98-00 AWD transfer case will self destruct if the front drive shaft is removed... hmmm if not... id LOVE to get rid of the front DS in my 00 AWD for the warmer months, main reason being is that the AWD is rough on front tires.