I damaged my transmission crossmember and my truck is vibrating quite a bit now. I was told it's likely the driveshaft angles, and while I wait for a replacement crossmember, I would like to remove the front driveshaft to see if the truck is drivable in RWD only. Is there anything to it or do I just disconnect the joints and that's it. Without the front shaft what should the transfer case be in? 2wd, 4wd part time?

 

Yea, you can pull it. Not a problem. I don't know if angle is your problem though. Was me I'd be curious if whatever bent my cross member didn't to something to make my rear drive line "untrue".

 

you are fine to remove it and drive as you please. Obviously without a front d-shaft installed there will be no 4wd... so yes you can shift it into 4wd it won't really hurt anything but your only gonna have 2wd... (duh)

 

What is the difference between 4wd full time and 4wd part time? I was under the impression that there was a center diff and that part time locked it where as full time left it unlocked, hence driving in full time without a front shaft would wreck something in there. Anyways as long as it's left in 2wd it should be fine right? What about the output shafts? Are they held in somehow or can they pop out without the shaft and loose all the diff/tc fluid?

 

The front one is held in by the yoke

 

2wd only engages the rear driveshaft leaving the front diff and front driveshaft allowed to freewheel. PT 4wd engages the front axle, and FT 4wd both axles are engaged but the transfercase just changes the gear ratio. there is not "center diff" just front diff, rear diff, and transfercase. and no, the driveshaft doesnt hold the yokes in place, as mentioned earlier removing the front driveshaft just doesnt allow you to have 4wd part or fulltime. hope that answer your question.

 

You might want to go ahead and replace the transfer case mount when you replace the crossmember. If you hit it hard enough to bend it, I would be willing to bet you broke the mount. They are about $11 from Rock Auto. Anyway, as the others stated, you will be fine without a front driveshaft in 2H.

 

I just removed my front drive shaft. I drove 35 miles of California surface and highway roads. Man! the roads are crappy out here! Anyway, The noise I was experiencing went away and I could only hear a slight rattle from the yoke sticking out of the diff. Also, I parked on a hill with my e-brake because I wasn't sure one axle on its own would hold. My T-case has a yoke hanging out the front side. The rear output gear does not have a yoke a d the rear diff has a yoke.

I gotta rebuild the T-case, replace the U-Joints and maybe rebuild at least the front diff, driver front hub and maybe the rear diff soon. I'll let you know if I remember and anything drastic happens.

 

You are correct and everyone else seems to be neglecting that possibility with shotgun replies.

If the transfer case is a 242, you must put the t-case lever in Part Time 4WD to keep from trashing the transfer case.

 

Ahh! you beat me to it Cruiser. I've had a 242 for 6 years now and I can attest there is a "differential" function in the t/case. If you pull either driveshaft and put it in Full time 4wd, you go nowhere. If you're sitting with all 4 wheels on ice, only one wheel will spin and you go nowhere. At least in Part time 4wd, 2 wheels will spin! LOL!

Before anybody says anything, I'll say it "Unless you have lockers!"

 

no front drive shaft, no issues.

 

Which transfer case and which lever position?

 

Question; if he has a 242 t/case and he's pulling the front shaft, why are we talking about using 4wd? Keep it on 2wd and drive the **** out of it.

 

I have the 247 in all time 4

 

Yep, you can do that with a 247.