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Discussion starter · #22 ·
Well, the verdict is in!

The xfer case, mine at least, is open. What happens with no front driveshaft? A big fat NUTHIN! It needs the friction from the front dif to even move, the only way to get around it I think would be to fab a bracket that locks the front xfer case hub from spinning at all. Well, I am not willing to go that far...

Oh well, it was something to do.
 
Anthony said:
I totally agree when launching or driving in 4x4 it makes a BIG difference in traction. Having an AWD Dak with a turbo or supercharger would be sweet!!
Seeing as my Dak is stick and yours is auto I wonder if I notice more of a difference in performance from 2wd to 4wd then you do??
I notice a difference aswell...and my gas mileage goes to shit.
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Okay, I'll explain what happened, it will probably make sense then.

I removed all the bolts from the xfer case side of the front drive line, and two that I could get at from the front end of the drive line. I needed to roll the truck a little to get the other two bolts in the front to be accessable, so I hopped in and started it up.

I put it in gear and... Nothing. Engine revs, truck doesn't move. I could hear the front output from the xfer case spinning and hitting the loose end of the driveshaft, that's how I knew it was spinning.

I realised then what was happening. The xfer is like an open dif. It was sending power to the axle with the leat resistance. Since there was no driveline bolted up, there was zero resistance, so all energy was being transferred to the front.

The only way to make it work ios to make a bracket that would solidly fix the front xfer output in one position so that all the power would be transferred to the rear.
 
Black. This is exactly what Josh was talking about. Since you have an AWD, you need to put yours in 4HI when your front drive shaft is out.

Becuase you have a AWD, the transfer case is designed to supply power to front and rear drive shafts. But becuase it is meant to also be driven on the street, it is not locked (Front and rear shaft rotation). This allows your truck to be AWD and make turns. When the shaft is out, the transfer case is allowing one shaft to turn faster than the other. Just as if you were making a turn in AWD. So when you put it in 4HI, this locks the two output of the transfer case so that both outputs turn the same no matter what situation. With you not having a front shaft, you will need to leave it in 4HI. This will allow you to be a 2wd. 4Hi will not harm anything. Just so long as your front shaft is out. 4Hi will lock the two outputs and a bracket to hold the front will not be neccesary.

Hope this clears it up. You did everything right. YOu just needed to put it in 4HI.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
BlackDak47 said:
Black. This is exactly what Josh was talking about. Since you have an AWD, you need to put yours in 4HI when your front drive shaft is out.

Becuase you have a AWD, the transfer case is designed to supply power to front and rear drive shafts. But becuase it is meant to also be driven on the street, it is not locked (Front and rear shaft rotation). This allows your truck to be AWD and make turns. When the shaft is out, the transfer case is allowing one shaft to turn faster than the other. Just as if you were making a turn in AWD. So when you put it in 4HI, this locks the two output of the transfer case so that both outputs turn the same no matter what situation. With you not having a front shaft, you will need to leave it in 4HI. This will allow you to be a 2wd. 4Hi will not harm anything. Just so long as your front shaft is out. 4Hi will lock the two outputs and a bracket to hold the front will not be neccesary.

Hope this clears it up. You did everything right. YOu just needed to put it in 4HI.
Oh my god I suck.
 
BlackDak47 said:
Black. This is exactly what Josh was talking about. Since you have an AWD, you need to put yours in 4HI when your front drive shaft is out.

Becuase you have a AWD, the transfer case is designed to supply power to front and rear drive shafts. But becuase it is meant to also be driven on the street, it is not locked (Front and rear shaft rotation). This allows your truck to be AWD and make turns. When the shaft is out, the transfer case is allowing one shaft to turn faster than the other. Just as if you were making a turn in AWD. So when you put it in 4HI, this locks the two output of the transfer case so that both outputs turn the same no matter what situation. With you not having a front shaft, you will need to leave it in 4HI. This will allow you to be a 2wd. 4Hi will not harm anything. Just so long as your front shaft is out. 4Hi will lock the two outputs and a bracket to hold the front will not be neccesary.

Hope this clears it up. You did everything right. YOu just needed to put it in 4HI.

Exactly. Thanks for saying that too. I know the concept can be a little hard for people to understand sometimes...;)
 
Wouldnt it be better to have a part time transfer case installed? I was just thinking that there are some people that want full time 4x4 and some that want part time 4x4, maybe there could be a swap? :biggthump
Just "posting out loud" folks. :wave:
 
chris4x4 said:
Wouldnt it be better to have a part time transfer case installed? I was just thinking that there are some people that want full time 4x4 and some that want part time 4x4, maybe there could be a swap? :biggthump
Just "posting out loud" folks. :wave:
I've done it. :D

The swap isn't all that bad for the mechanically inclined. At first I was a little hesitant to do it, but when I found out how much it would cost me to get it done, I dove right in.

The thing I hated about my truck from day one was the full-time 4wd. I absolutely LOVE 2wd since I was without it for almost 2 years.
 
YellowKota2k said:
I've done it. :D

The swap isn't all that bad for the mechanically inclined. At first I was a little hesitant to do it, but when I found out how much it would cost me to get it done, I dove right in.

The thing I hated about my truck from day one was the full-time 4wd. I absolutely LOVE 2wd since I was without it for almost 2 years.
I've swapped out a couple for friends before. I would think it would be better to swap out a full timer for a part timer than to run around with a 2 wheel drive :biggthump
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Holy shit!

I can't believe the difference! I can barely keep the rear end planted. I can finally feel the effects of the FIPK, headers and exhaust! I have a big smile now!

One problem, the ass end bounces horribly, some serious hopping (at least when I am really nailing it). Any ideas?

I wonder if that funky deal I removed actually made a difference? Either way, it can't go back on, there's no room for it with the roll pan there.

Thanks so much for the reminder about the xfer case switch!
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
After one day of driving RWD, I have a couple thoughts...

- I am having a hard time keeping the rear end plant. I used to be able to drop the pedal, it would hook up and shoot straight. Now, The rear breaks free (everytime, and with authority) and the ass end goes sideways.

- It feels like I am running a Sure-Grip or something back there. From a stop, it just wants to do a 360. If I punch it while rolling (10-15 mph) it goes straight.

- I feel some kind of shake that wasn't there before, feels like it almost NEEDS both axles connected. There is a TON of vibration when the wheels are spinning, a lot of wheel hop. I am thinking that removing the bumper and that absorber back there may have removed some strength from the back end of the frame.

I also have not yet put my spare back up, so the rear end is very light.

I know I could curb some of these problems with clamps, etc, and I bet some shocks that aren't nearly 100,000 miles old would be a nice change.

At this point, I am contemplating putting the drive line back in... I think I'll give it a good week or so before I make up my mind though.
 
I think that 4x4 suspensions are generaly softer so that may also be a little of the wheel hop. Good shocks could also help.

I have a brand new truck and I get wheel hop sometimes. Sometimes more than others but everyonce in a while it likes to really hop. Think it is becuase the suspension is pretty soft in this truck. So it may just be that the rear end is wanting to hop a little cuz the suspension isnt stiff enough to keep it planted.

Do you mean there is vibration when all wheels are spining (Ex. driving down the road) or just when you are spining the rear tires?
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
BlackDak47 said:
I think that 4x4 suspensions are generaly softer so that may also be a little of the wheel hop. Good shocks could also help.

I have a brand new truck and I get wheel hop sometimes. Sometimes more than others but everyonce in a while it likes to really hop. Think it is becuase the suspension is pretty soft in this truck. So it may just be that the rear end is wanting to hop a little cuz the suspension isnt stiff enough to keep it planted.

Do you mean there is vibration when all wheels are spining (Ex. driving down the road) or just when you are spining the rear tires?
When it happens, it happens while normal driving. I have been running for two days like this now, and it comes and goes. I need to pay more attention, but it "might" be more road feel. I wonder if a change like that is even possible.

It really feels like it has something to with with one of the axles, though.

Yesterday was wet, not the best conditions for a first time drive in RWD. Today was a lot better, as far as traction is concerned. I can still easily spin the tires.

I REALLY need to find an empty parking lot to roll some smoke off these 20's! If I can find a spot, I'll be sure to get vid, cause I'm only doing that ONCE.
 
Just a thought about the vibration.......If the front shaft was ballenced, maybe the Vib is from it being removed?
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
I was kind of thinking something similar. I would think that I'd feel it if a balanced shaft became unbalanced, but if it was removed?

I wonder if the front and rear are both supposed to be there...

I can live with it, it comes and goes and it's not that bad, my only concern is the possibility of a bearing failure or something due to the vibration, if it's possibly coming from the xfer case.

I noticed on the drive home tonight that it's really only noticable while accellerating, while coasting, I didn't feel it.
 
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