Front Diff Removal 4WD to 2WD?

[Qlaloo]

Odd rookie question but I am curious, Is it possible to completely remove my (2005 V6 SR5 4WD) front diff and basically convert my 4R into a 2wd? I'm starting to grow on to the idea of a prerunner and was just wondering. Yes I already know about leaving inner CV axles in but I'm not really a fan of that idea. Thanks!

 

[Qlaloo]

Bump

 

[Ventil8]

Hi,
I have no idea what you're talking about, its beyond my mechanical knowledge, but i noticed you are in the Austin area.

 

[The Yin]

Buy why?

I'm really curious to know why you would want to convert to 2wd?
It's my understanding that the V6 can be switched from 2wd to 4wd, it's not full time 4wd like the V8.
Mine is a 2wd so I'm not sure what negative factors there are with the 4wd that would make you want to convert.

 

[atalarico]

I won't get sidetracked on the question you're not asking and question your reasons, but I'm very curious to see where this goes! Usually it's 2WD people want to convert to 4WD and not the other way around.

Just from my own mucking around working on 4Runners for the last 9 years, it seems like it must be possible. I'm POSITIVE I'm missing something bigger, but I feel like it's not very different than how a multi-mode 4WD works. Just taking out the mechanical bits that engage the front wheels!? So yeah, the drive shaft that goes to the front diff, and then the CV axles?!

I wonder if you could just remove the front drive shaft instead and that would be that. You'd still have the weight and what not of the front diff, but...

Just thinking out loud. Hope you get some good answers! I'd love to follow this project.

Cheers!

 

[Drunner97]

Sell 4wd, buy 2wd for cheap, use difference for long travel setup.

Otherwise I don't think it would involve too much. Remove the front diff, remove the transfer case, get a longer drive shaft, maybe 2wd transmission?

 

[duffdog]

Uh, yeah thats easy. You will have to remove the front diff, front driveline and change the trans to a 2wd version. Also, don't count on the VSC/TRAC system ever working again or the lights going off. If you want everything to work as a 2wd you may have to additionally change the wire harness and ECU to get the truck to think that it is in fact a 2wd truck and not try to activate the traction control system all the time.

 

[Elan750]

orrrr you turn the little knob on the dash to 2WD and do something better with your time :yo::banana:

 

[Bumbo]

I'm really curious to know why you would want to convert to 2wd?
It's my understanding that the V6 can be switched from 2wd to 4wd, it's not full time 4wd like the V8.
Mine is a 2wd so I'm not sure what negative factors there are with the 4wd that would make you want to convert.

I have a buddy who did something like that to a Silverado…

When I asked the same question as you, his reason was that you can get more travel out of a 2WD setup. The CV only has so much travel into and out of a diff and if you tried to get that much travel out of a 4WD setup, you would just grenade the diff on compression.

I agree with [MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION], I would rather sell and pick up a 2WD truck at this point and use the savings towards the suspension.

 

[Inv4drZm]

You could loose 100lbs of differential/cv/ and driveshaft but it would probably be a lot of work like others mentioned, and all the weight is down low. Unless you are going bigger than a +3.5" long travel kit you won't be able to get more suspension travel than a 4wd because the shock and factory geometry limits the travel unless you make custom raised shock mounts.

You wouldn't need to buy the expensive extended driveshafts for your LT kit though and you could also run lift spindles.

 

[The Yin]

I have a buddy who did something like that to a Silverado…

When I asked the same question as you, his reason was that you can get more travel out of a 2WD setup. The CV only has so much travel into and out of a diff and if you tried to get that much travel out of a 4WD setup, you would just grenade the diff on compression.

I agree with [MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION], I would rather sell and pick up a 2WD truck at this point and use the savings towards the suspension.

Ooooh, this does make sense. I do remember now when I was lifting my 2wd I didn't have to worry about any Diff drop or CV issue.

 

[radlynx]

thats possible the easier way. remove the cv axle and just leave both ends in the hub and diffirental. remove the front dri e axle thats connected from diffirential and transmission and switch the knob to 4 wheel drive and call it a day. now you have rear wheel drive. no need to change the transmission.

Odd rookie question but I am curious, Is it possible to completely remove my (2005 V6 SR5 4WD) front diff and basically convert my 4R into a 2wd? I'm starting to grow on to the idea of a prerunner and was just wondering. Yes I already know about leaving inner CV axles in but I'm not really a fan of that idea. Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[radlynx]

also, if you want to make it thief proof, unlock the center diffirential and lock it again when you need to use it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[blakem5]

I forgot who makes it but you can get exstended front cv axles, like others said the stock suspension geo can only be pushed so far, i would go with a long travel kit with the bigger cvs or re desing the front suspension setup completley

 

[Mike07SE]

I think the best and most economical way to do this would be to remove your half-shafts. Disassemble and remove the inner joint from the axle assembly and reinsert into the diff housing to keep it plugged up. Nothing else at this point will need to be touched since you have a V6 and have selectable 4WD. Just never switch into that mode. Now, if you ever go to sell and need to reverse your actions this will be easy to do and keep your resale value up.

 

[4OYOTER]

Odd rookie question but I am curious, Is it possible to completely remove my (2005 V6 SR5 4WD) front diff and basically convert my 4R into a 2wd? I'm starting to grow on to the idea of a prerunner and was just wondering. Yes I already know about leaving inner CV axles in but I'm not really a fan of that idea. Thanks!

It’s actually very easy! Just take your 4Runner out to Hidden Falls Adventure Park in Marble Falls. You will quickly realize you want 4wd.. And you will never think about such crazy things like removing the power going to your front wheels again !

 

[Terminator03]

It’s actually very easy! Just take your 4Runner out to Hidden Falls Adventure Park in Marble Falls. You will quickly realize you want 4wd.. And you will never think about such crazy things like removing the power going to your front wheels again !

Haha, I love it! Lots of creative solutions in this thread, but this is probably the most sensible, lol.

 

[TheTurboMRT]

I'm pretty sure the outer shafts of the front CVs hold the wheel bearings together.... You could disassemble and take out the physical half shaft, but you definitely need the outer stub