Fuel economy on All wheel drive

[tru2037]

Hellow everyone! I own a AWD explorer and now my work is moving twice the drive away . This all wheel drive sucks on MPG is there any way to disengage this thing to put it in just RWD? With everything electronic now I would think (maybe?) it's possible?

[virgamanda]

I would love to know this too. Can the driveshaft just be removed?

[tru2037]

no, a drive shaft cannot just be removed, at least to my knowledge cause it'll leak, although I've had someone tell me about caps/plugs...? but from all the responses of this thread I doubt its possible!

[skinnednuckles]

i know this is a ford explorer chat, but just wanted to say that i took the front driveshaft out of my sons jeep cherokee larado 6 lt and have had no problems at all. no leaks and, yes, better gas milage. i just disconnected the universals

[mjrhdusn]

I've driven my 98 Explorer without the front driveshaft for 5 months before replacing it. It wont leak because of the type of joint and I have not experianced any adverse effects. The only 2 problems is 1. you loose a little bit of torque, and 2. The truck will sometimes roll if its parked on an incline

[shorod]

Originally Posted by mjrhdusn

I've driven my 98 Explorer without the front driveshaft for 5 months before replacing it. It wont leak because of the type of joint and I have not experianced any adverse effects. The only 2 problems is 1. you loose a little bit of torque, and 2. The truck will sometimes roll if its parked on an incline

Is your 98 an AWD, or a selectable 2WD/4WD? And if selectable, do you drive it in "Auto" mode or 4WD mode?

The AWD uses a viscous coupling to transfer torque as needed, whereas the selectable transfer case does not. The viscous coupling prevents the wheels from binding during tight turns. I suspect if the front driveshaft of the AWD setup were removed, the truck would not move very far before wearing out the transfer case clutches. The standard torque split for the AWD is 35% front, 65% rear.

The Auto mode in a selectable transfer case does vary the amount of torque to the front and rear wheels, but in 4WD mode, locks the front and rear. I would expect that to prevent wear and slip, you would need to use the 4WD setting if the front driveshaft is removed.

-Rod

[mjrhdusn]

Originally Posted by shorod

Is your 98 an AWD, or a selectable 2WD/4WD? And if selectable, do you drive it in "Auto" mode or 4WD mode?

The AWD uses a viscous coupling to transfer torque as needed, whereas the selectable transfer case does not. The viscous coupling prevents the wheels from binding during tight turns. I suspect if the front driveshaft of the AWD setup were removed, the truck would not move very far before wearing out the transfer case clutches. The standard torque split for the AWD is 35% front, 65% rear.

The Auto mode in a selectable transfer case does vary the amount of torque to the front and rear wheels, but in 4WD mode, locks the front and rear. I would expect that to prevent wear and slip, you would need to use the 4WD setting if the front driveshaft is removed.

-Rod

I have an AWD. Its driven fine for months without the shaft. If what you say is true, it'll be the first thing i check when the next bang click and grind starts playing on my machine. Good info though, thanks