Driving full time 4wd with front drive shaft removed

[telecat89]

Does anyone know if I should or should not drive my 79 K20 with NP 203 transfer case with the front drive shaft removed? I was thinking I could remove it in the spring then drive the truck daily then when the snow started to fall I would put it back on then put my plow on it? What do yall think?

 

[dusterdude]

Not sure about the 203,but i had a grand cherokee with the np249 and we drove it without the front shaft for years

 

[telecat89]

Not sure about the 203,but i had a grand cherokee with the np249 and we drove it without the front shaft for years

Thanks

 

[nvrenuf]

You can drive it like that, you'll just have to put the tcase in the HI LOC position (instead of HI). If you remove the driveshaft and try to drive it in HI it's not going to move, it'll behave like it' in neutral.

Imo, aside from preventing wear, or maybe you're dealing with bad parts, there's not much advantage to removing the shaft. The mpg's will suck with or without it.

 

[Ricko1966]

NP203 Transfer Case

The full-time four-wheel-drive NP203 transfer case is one of the most standard items found in 70s fullsize 4x4s. Big, heavy, and relatively strong despite its chaindrive, this box can be converted

www.motortrend.com

 

[YakkoWarner]

Does anyone know if I should or should not drive my 79 K20 with NP 203 transfer case with the front drive shaft removed? I was thinking I could remove it in the spring then drive the truck daily then when the snow started to fall I would put it back on then put my plow on it? What do yall think?

My friend Dave had a shortbed 1/2 ton GMC that ran great but previous owners were using just as a play around truck, had big lift (needed a stool to get in and out) but the front shaft was missing. We suspect they broke it or never got it set up right for the lift, there was a lot wrong on that truck but he drove it around with just the rear shaft for a couple years while trying to get it properly set up for being on the road again instead of just farm/ranch duty. Don't know which transfer case he had though....

 

[Grit dog]

You can drive it like that, you'll just have to put the tcase in the HI LOC position (instead of HI). If you remove the driveshaft and try to drive it in HI it's not going to move, it'll behave like it' in neutral.

Imo, aside from preventing wear, or maybe you're dealing with bad parts, there's not much advantage to removing the shaft. The mpg's will suck with or without it.

^This.
On an old truck I can see doing that to save wear n tear.
It works. I recall doing it on a 77 full time K20 back in the day. During snow plow season. Dumped a big tractor bucket of gravel in the bed and lowered the tire pressure some for traction and kept plowing.

 

[Jawzjeep]

2nd or 3rd what @nvrenuf said. I did it in my 78 k5 with the 203.

 

[Ricko1966]

Post 5 deals specifically with the 203 not my friend did it but I don't know what transfer case etc. I'd at least read it. I was told not to do it like 15 years ago. But I don't remember why.

 

[fast 99]

Also heard only a short term solution. Actually, have seen more front differentials with water in the oil than I have rear. This from lack of use. Keep that in mind.

 

[77Dmax]

My folks had a 77 k5 back in the day. My father routinely removed the front shaft in the summer months. Mileage improved. Definitely worth it.

 

[Ricko1966]

My folks had a 77 k5 back in the day. My father routinely removed the front shaft in the summer months. Mileage improved. Definitely worth it.

Was that a 203? Or a 205?

 

[Memaloose]

Go for it, it won't hurt it at all.

 

[telecat89]

You can drive it like that, you'll just have to put the tcase in the HI LOC position (instead of HI). If you remove the driveshaft and try to drive it in HI it's not going to move, it'll behave like it' in neutral.

Imo, aside from preventing wear, or maybe you're dealing with bad parts, there's not much advantage to removing the shaft. The mpg's will suck with or without it.

Thanks for the info. My reason for doing this would be to prevent the steer tire wheel hop when turning at low speed.

 

[telecat89]

Was that a 203? Or a 205?

It is a 203.