[cyclerider105]

Quick question. I need to have my rear drive shaft lengthened. So, if I send it back to Tom Wood's it will be off the Heep for about a week. Will it be OK to drive on the front drive shaft via the transfer case for this length of time. I normally drive about 30 miles a day to work at 65 MPH freeway speeds. Any problems or concerns?

[Nickb1907]

Originally Posted by cyclerider105

Quick question. I need to have my rear drive shaft lengthened. So, if I send it back to Tom Wood's it will be off the Heep for about a week. Will it be OK to drive on the front drive shaft via the transfer case for this length of time. I normally drive about 30 miles a day to work at 65 MPH freeway speeds. Any problems or concerns?

i drove around while mine was being rebuilt by them for about 2 weeks. It was just about 3-4 miles a day and i didnt want to get on the freeway. Im sure it would have been fine, i just didnt want to risk it.

[GreenJip]

I drove 60 miles one way going 55mph against better judgement in front wheel drive. You will be putting alot of strain on your transfer case. The thing got really hot. I changed the fluid immediatly just in case the fluid broke down from overheating. If you can get a ride, I would take that option first.

[McLovin]

There is no reason why it would be a problem. I forget what the owners manual says top speed in 4hi is, but I don't see why just having the rear shaft out would hurt it. I drove that way around town for about a week 1/2 with zero problems.

[Jeepdrivinmid]

thats a little fast, i did it once or twice while I was waiting on my rear DS. I would see if you could get a ride or borrow another car

[cyclerider105]

Well, you guys are bring up some of my concerns. I looked in my manual and is says you can engage 4H at up to 55 MPH. I'm just wondering if it will put undo stress on the TC running it on the freeway. I would keep it at 55 MPH and it would be about 15 miles before it got a rest.

[SecondTJ]

i would get a rental car.

thats too much driving, at too high of speeds.

[Combatsylvania]

yep, dont forget that even tho the book sais 4HI is fine at any legal speed, you no longer have the rear pushin... all the stress is on the front drivetrain... through that tcase chain.

find another way to work while you wait.

[mdm]

You might be able to have a local shop do it with a shorter turn around time.

[[ITA]Tsunami]

BTW your speed to get at work it's not a constant! you can also simply slow down a bit while they fix up your DS, don't you think?

And yes the owner manual says that you can "engage" 4hi up to 55 mph, thats doesn't mean that this is the speed limit for the tc to work in 4HI, just the engaging speed of the tc

[Rivi]

its fine,in fact its easier on it than if the rear shaft was there.Drive it normally.

[pendleton]

For those who don't know and think you can drive without a rear driveshaft on a stock Jeep, you must be running a slip yoke eliminator! If you don't your slip yoke will fall out of the transfer case and all of your fluid will come out with it.

Just trying to prevent someone from making a mistake!

[barry1me]

Originally Posted by Rivi

its fine,in fact its easier on it than if the rear shaft was there.Drive it normally.

yeah I dont see why it would put any extra strain on your TC or your trans, or your front axle for that matter. If you have a locker in the front then it might be quirky. You should be fine

[[ITA]Tsunami]

and.. Pendleton is right, or you have a SYE or you have to own a Rubicon to do that

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by GreenJip

I drove 60 miles one way going 55mph against better judgement in front wheel drive. You will be putting alot of strain on your transfer case. The thing got really hot. I changed the fluid immediatly just in case the fluid broke down from overheating. If you can get a ride, I would take that option first.

How do you know that it got more hot than the rest of the times you drove it in rear wheel drive? Had you checked it before?