Hello, hello.. I've been on this site for months now getting tons of info for my JKU build and it's about time for my first post. I've looked around and haven't found an answer, so question...

I just finished installing a 6" lift on my Unlimited and am wondering if it is discouraged to drive without the front driveshaft in. I only need to make a single trip about 30 mins (highway) to a 4x4 shop to have my exhaust modified for proper clearance.

The way I see it, I have three options to make it to the shop..
-leave exhaust in and drive w/o the front DS
-remove the exhaust and install the front DS
-trailer it down to the shop

So my main question.. being that it is the simplest option, are there any negative side effects to driving my JKU without the front DS? I know it is possible, but will my transfer case or any other component suffer from it? Thanks for the help!

 

If you leave it in 2 wheel drive, you won't even know it's not there.

Disclaimer; I have read this many, many times, never done it myself.

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X2 to that you will be fine.

 

You will be fine removing the front DS. I have done it several times on my Cherokee.

And currently I do not have a front DS on my JKU. Just don't go into 4HI or 4LO. No Transfercase issues or front axle issues at all.

 

You won't have any issues. I've run mine for months like that before. Also pulled it out for long trips like to Moab.

 

Awesome, many thanks for the quick info... Will be driving it tomorrow morning.

 

Do you see much improvement in MPG ? I am driving from Mich to south Texas soon.

 

Not really, maybe 1-2 mpg, but that coulda just been the gas or the way I drove. I will tell you this, as I'm coming from La., once I got outta Texas and started getting farther North my mpg increased from 14mpg to 18mpg by the time I got to Utah (no fluke either, been twice, same results). I think the air density may have alot to do with it. Prolly can look for yours to decrease as you get farther south.

 

I've had my driveshaft out for a couple months with no problems. Not much of a change in mpgs. It's a little better though.