Removing front wheel drive

[Josh in Chico]

A friend wants me to remove the front wheel drive part of the 4x4 on his 95 4runner. While this may seem sac-religious to some, has anyone done this? He doesn't use 4 wheel drive and wants better gas milage. I'm trying to get an idea of the time it would take to do the job; remove the drive shaft, front differential, any boots involved etc. Thanks!!!

 

[Maritimer]

Is he trying for savings on the weight of the extra equipment? It's just that I'd always want 4WD just in case, even if I "never" use it.

 

[brian2sun]

Big depreciation for resale value, but to each their own. If you just remove the front diff and driveline, you'll get the 2wd you want but I can't imagine you'd see much more than a 1 mpg increase if that. IMO, totally not worth it. Converting to manual hubs is another option, then the wheels will spin freely without pushing the CVs and everything. I'd tell him to sell it and buy a 2wd and have some $$ in his pocket from the difference.

 

[Josh in Chico]

Is he trying for savings on the weight of the extra equipment? It's just that I'd always want 4WD just in case, even if I "never" use it.

I imagine weight is part of the issue, but I would guess that friction would be a bigger variable in gas milage? Just a guess.

 

[Josh in Chico]

Big depreciation for resale value, but to each their own. If you just remove the front diff and driveline, you'll get the 2wd you want but I can't imagine you'd see much more than a 1 mpg increase if that. IMO, totally not worth it. Converting to manual hubs is another option, then the wheels will spin freely without pushing the CVs and everything. I'd tell him to sell it and buy a 2wd and have some $$ in his pocket from the difference.

I'd agree on the resale value and I'm curious about the mpg gains. I'll post any gains if there is adequate data. Can you convert to manual hubs and leave the drive line and diff the same?

 

[4running1990]

I actually converted my truck to 4wd and i didn't see much change in MPG in my opinion the whole thing will be alot of work for nothing and just remember if you remove the differential the cv joints will have to go as well leaving the back of the wheel hub open for all kinds of debris and dirt to enter causing failure in the bearings.

 

[Josh in Chico]

Time?

Have either of you replaced the diff, drive line and cv's? How long did it take?

 

[Akuma]

manual hubs, weight difference is F all..

 

[shoudagotan85]

WHY:ybrick:

 

[Maritimer]

I imagine weight is part of the issue, but I would guess that friction would be a bigger variable in gas milage? Just a guess.

Right. I'm a total newbie on the actual mechanical workings of a 4WD system.