So I had the angry sparrows noise for a while and decided to rebuild my front driveshaft. Got that done and still had the noise, turns out it was my rear. Go figure. I have a sye with a rear shaft. Well I hit it with some wd40 and had to make the 6 hour drive to visit my girlfriend. About the last hour I developed a real nasty vibe and I think the rear shaft is shot. I ordered the parts but I have to make it and hour back to school. Can I drive with the just the front shaft in, in 4 wheel drive going about 60 for about an hour? I have no choice but to limp it back to school

 

Yes you should be fine. I did it for a few weeks while I waited for a driveshaft.

 

I'm not sure how big your xj is but if possible, I'd swap the front shaft to the rear for now since you have an SYE but I think there's a height requirement for that

 

I've done it with a front lunchbox locker installed. Would not recommend. But open diff is very different.

 

The rear is cut down a significant amount. Otherwise I would swap the front to the back.

 

And it is open diff in the front

 

You should be fine, but stay off the gas in turns regardless.
If you hear binding, let off the gas, otherwise I have driven for about 15 miles with the rear shaft removed with no apparent ill effects

 

Made the drive today. Kept it around 55 and 60 with no hard acceleration. Everything seems all good

 

This is good to know in case it has to be done. Also, I plan on doing a SYE at a friends house who has a lift then drive home on the front shaft. Won't know if I can get a front shaft out of junk yard or have to get a new one till after it is done and get some measurements.

 

There is nothing to cause issues with having it turning only the front axle. No binding will occur, unless you have a locker of some sort. The issue with 4WD on dry roads is the difference between the front and rear axle speeds jamming up your transfer case, not left to right wheel bias AFAIK.