need help on driving without rear driveshaft
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
From: Orlando/Winter Garden
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
so if i install a SYE into my jeep and i try to use my front DS for the rear but it doesn't work. will i actually be able to drive with just the front driveshaft while I'm in 4X4. just having fwd? i thought that i could until someone told me that i can't or tranny fluid will leak out..? anyone done this before or know if fluid will leak out of the transmission?
Last edited by 1998xjspt; Jan 21, 2013 at 02:51 PM.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
so if i install a SYE into my jeep and i try to use my front DS for the rear but it doesn't work. will i actually be able to drive with just the front driveshaft while I'm in 4X4. just having fwd? i thought that i could until someone told me that i can't or tranny fluid will leak out..? anyone done this before or know if fluid will leak out of the transmission?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 11
From: London Ontario Canada
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If its a 231 and your in 4 wheel part time you've removed the problem of both axles getting the same power. Your only powering 1 axle now.
If its a 242 putting it in 4wd full time it treats the axles like an open differential.
The chains are spinning all the time anyways.
Just wondering if I've missed something.
BTW this is assuming you've completed the sye. 231 or 242?
Last edited by Jamie57; Jan 21, 2013 at 05:37 PM.
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,493
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From: Chickamauga Ga.
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 0
From: Chickamauga Ga.
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
so if i install a SYE into my jeep and i try to use my front DS for the rear but it doesn't work. will i actually be able to drive with just the front driveshaft while I'm in 4X4. just having fwd? i thought that i could until someone told me that i can't or tranny fluid will leak out..? anyone done this before or know if fluid will leak out of the transmission?
i drove my 98 for 2 weeks w/o the rear ds ,nothing can leak out . when you remove your rear shaft if there is just a splined shaft sticking out it has a seal around it up in the tail housing.front wheel drive only makes it pull a little weird feeling when turning slow, other then that its fine. just shift it to to 4 hi & go.
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Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
From: Orlando/Winter Garden
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
oh okay thanks guys. thats what i thought. i wouldn't have no effect on fluid from the tranny. the guy who told me prob just wasn't familiar with 97+ cheros.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 446
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
In a pre 97 x the fluid will leak out without a drive shaft. If you have an sye it won't, and on a 97+xj you can run without a rear driveshaft with a stock tcase without it leaking. The reason it will leak on a pre 97 without an sye is that the slip yoke was lubricated by the t case fluid. In 97 they switched to a greaseable slip yoke. With an sye on any year, the fluid won't leak.
i've run in "fwd- no rear d-shaft" a few times after snapping a joint on the rear d-shaft and it did just fine.. just me but i wouldn't do it for days on end but a day or 2 didn't hurt anything for me (mine was in a 96 XJ so it had the sealed tailshaft housing so no leakage issues) but if yours is a pre 96 i wouldn't do it
No matter what year your Xj is, if you have installed a slip yoke eliminator it will not leak fluid out of the transfer case with the rear drive line removed.
To answer your question - Yes, you can drive around in (4x4)FWD if after you install a sye a front shaft won't fit in the rear.
To answer your question - Yes, you can drive around in (4x4)FWD if after you install a sye a front shaft won't fit in the rear.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
From: Orlando/Winter Garden
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
No matter what year your Xj is, if you have installed a slip yoke eliminator it will not leak fluid out of the transfer case with the rear drive line removed.
To answer your question - Yes, you can drive around in (4x4)FWD if after you install a sye a front shaft won't fit in the rear.
To answer your question - Yes, you can drive around in (4x4)FWD if after you install a sye a front shaft won't fit in the rear.
and my cheros a 98. not locked
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Nope sure don't. Have fun ****ing up your Jeep though
Make sure you post pics when your t case explodes. Or wait I guess it's ok to drive in 4 high all the time. I'm assuming it's also recommended to go highway speeds in 4 high as well right?
Man this forum has really changed. Nothing but people bashing others. Sadly it wasn't always this way.
Make sure you post pics when your t case explodes. Or wait I guess it's ok to drive in 4 high all the time. I'm assuming it's also recommended to go highway speeds in 4 high as well right?
Man this forum has really changed. Nothing but people bashing others. Sadly it wasn't always this way.
Last edited by jmm0122_; Jan 21, 2013 at 09:38 PM.


