front driveshaft
- Thread starter 99-4wd
- Start date
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RustyH
Active Member
Why would you do this?
RustyH
Active Member
Doesn't your truck have a 2wd setting? My 98 does, maybe they changed it in 99
grantikal
Full Access Members
same here my 97 also has the 2wd alternative..
Remo
Full Access Members
I'm pretty sure only the '97s and '98s have the 2wd selection.
99+ (first generation, anyway) only have AWD, 4Hi, and 4Lo (on the 4x4 models, obviously).
nvycrmn
Full Access Members
yup. AWD here. SUX!!!!!!!!! i wish i had the 2wd option like i did on my 98
RustyH
Active Member
Who knew? I guess there's advantages to having the weirdly shaped front bumper!
outkast
Full Access Members
pulling fuse 104 will do the same thing.
grantikal
Full Access Members
I know this works for the Auto 4WD, but will this also work with AWD?
tonydiv
technical advisor
The reason that guys started removing the front drive shaft was to reduce the parasitic drag from turning a drive shaft and some transfer case gears. Granted, you're still turning axle shafts, CV or u-joints and the front diff, but it's the best you can do if you don't have locking hubs and/or a center axle disconnect.
While pulling a fuse may stop the transfer case from sending power to the front when the rear slips, it does nothing about the drag.
Since you're not removing the front axle shafts, you still may feel some "binding" in tight turns.
If you have the time, why not give it a shot? Keep track of your mileage and see if it makes a difference.
While pulling a fuse may stop the transfer case from sending power to the front when the rear slips, it does nothing about the drag.
Since you're not removing the front axle shafts, you still may feel some "binding" in tight turns.
If you have the time, why not give it a shot? Keep track of your mileage and see if it makes a difference.
zenplacefour
Member
Removing front drive shaft: Better gas mileage...
tonydiv...
...Since you're not removing the front axle shafts, you still may feel some "binding" in tight turns.
If you have the time, why not give it a shot? Keep track of your mileage and see if it makes a difference.
---------------------------------
Responding to tonydiv comment... specifically gas mileage: I have a 2000 Eddie Bauer 5.4 which, until recently, was stuck in 4WD-H. I couldn't afford to fix it, so I drove it for many, many miles on dry pavement. BAD. The truck eventually developed a "wobble" in the front end. Finally, after replacing a faulty GEM Module, the truck could switch to A4WD, but the "wobble" was still there, as was the "binding" in tight turns (mentioned above.) CV axles were OK, tie rods were OK, ball joints were OK, wheels were OK... so, the cheapest and fastest solution I could think of to possibly remedy this problem was to remove the front drive shaft to see what would happen. The "wobble" disappeared, although I suspect there may still be issues with the transfer case.
NOW... regarding gas mileage / fuel economy: After removing the drive shaft, I reset my fuel economy calculator. I've now been driving in 2WD for almost a week.
As of April 2014
Gas mileage in 4WD-H: 10.4 mpg / ave.
Previous gas mileage in A4WD: 11.2 - 12.2 mpg / ave
Gas mileage in 2WD - no front drive shaft: 12.4 mpg / ave.
If, after a few more weeks, the gas mileage rises to the high 12's or 13 mpg, I'll be more convinced that the drive shaft removal played a part in the improvement. ... Zen
June 28, 2014 UPDATE:
Final average fuel economy without the front drive shaft: 13.1/mpg
tonydiv...
...Since you're not removing the front axle shafts, you still may feel some "binding" in tight turns.
If you have the time, why not give it a shot? Keep track of your mileage and see if it makes a difference.
---------------------------------
Responding to tonydiv comment... specifically gas mileage: I have a 2000 Eddie Bauer 5.4 which, until recently, was stuck in 4WD-H. I couldn't afford to fix it, so I drove it for many, many miles on dry pavement. BAD. The truck eventually developed a "wobble" in the front end. Finally, after replacing a faulty GEM Module, the truck could switch to A4WD, but the "wobble" was still there, as was the "binding" in tight turns (mentioned above.) CV axles were OK, tie rods were OK, ball joints were OK, wheels were OK... so, the cheapest and fastest solution I could think of to possibly remedy this problem was to remove the front drive shaft to see what would happen. The "wobble" disappeared, although I suspect there may still be issues with the transfer case.
NOW... regarding gas mileage / fuel economy: After removing the drive shaft, I reset my fuel economy calculator. I've now been driving in 2WD for almost a week.
As of April 2014
Gas mileage in 4WD-H: 10.4 mpg / ave.
Previous gas mileage in A4WD: 11.2 - 12.2 mpg / ave
Gas mileage in 2WD - no front drive shaft: 12.4 mpg / ave.
If, after a few more weeks, the gas mileage rises to the high 12's or 13 mpg, I'll be more convinced that the drive shaft removal played a part in the improvement. ... Zen
June 28, 2014 UPDATE:
Final average fuel economy without the front drive shaft: 13.1/mpg
Last edited:
Copper93
Full Access Members
Look up the Brown Wire Mod. You can install a switch that does the same as pulling the fuse. It gives you a on/off option for AWD.
