I have a 94 4wd and I would like to remove the front diff and axles. Can I remove the axles from the hubs without any mods and just run my 4wd hub and everything but just without the shafts? I have a prerunner and I just dont want the extra girth and I want to get more travel without thw worries of breaking 4wd stuff. Thanks guys links are helpful too.
Chadwick

 

Without the axles, the hub and wheel bearing would be open to the elements. What are you worried about breaking? If you leave it in 2wd, you will not break anything, you'd just have the extra weight. I think to fully remove the 4wd components would be a lot of work. You would need some custom spindles, a 2wd transmission and longer driveshaft (if you want to ditch the t-case).

 

If you find a 90-95 4Runner 2WD, you could just swap spindles. They have the caps on the backside that seal the bearings, since the axles aren't there.

However, you could just take the axles out and remove the diff and be OK. I would suggest taking off the manual hubs and selling them, and finding some drive flanges (lower profile, weigh a lot less) at a wrecking yard to bolt on there instead. Then you could sell the manual hubs.

 

why not just sell the 4x4 and get a prerunner?

 

lol, that's what I was thinking

seems that it would be much easier to just START with a 2wd


but if you're dead-set on the swap, find a 2wd Runner as DC mentioned; same basic setup, just minus the running gear

 

Well lets start off with I dont mind leaving the t-case on for now.
I dont want the extra lbs of the diff(I dont like nosediving)
I already have a jd fab kit, deavers, glass and and a cage. So lets keep this one eh.
Lets also ad that the 4wd knuckles are stronger then the 2wd and mine is already modded for the unibal on top.

 

or leave the stuff there. you may need a 4x4 one day and you will be SOL. i wish i had a 2wd to trade you. id hate to see a 4x4 ruined. theres so few left.

 

So wait I could take the shafts off and remove the diff with no other mods or do I absolutely need the 2wd 4 runner spindle?

 

To get a 2wd with a 4x4, just leave it in H2? Duh?

 

could you just unbolt and remove the CV's at the diff, and then just separate the outter CV's at the joint, leaving the stub in the spindle? that can't be but 5lbs a peice...

and then just take the next steps; remove the front diff and drive shaft, and swap for a 2wd tranny later on down the road

 

If it was me...I would see if I could source the "caps" that cover the area where the axles go. Then I would remove the front diff and shafts. I would leave as much of the original equipment as possible, just in case I wanted to go back. I would leave the transfer case in, just in case I wanted to utilize the low range gearing. With a locker in the rear(don't know if you have one) you might not miss the front diff very much.

 

Did you miss the whole I dont like nosediving thing. This truck will be taken to the dunes and any less weight on the front is going to help keep my floating and keep me from nosediving when I jump it(not if but a definative when).

 

not a bad idear there buddy

definately invest in a truss, if you haven't done so already

 

I would love to do that. Is this possible because I dont mind leaving the stubs in there if it will let me lose the rest of the axle.

 

What kind of truss? I am going to be building a 9" for the rear and I will do a truss on it.

 

oh I dunno, but I know the inners will simply fall apart once the boot's worn

 

I was reffering to an IFS truss:



obviously minuts the front drivetrain

goes between the rear LCA's and keeps things from bending outta line

 

Oh yeah when they caged it they did a truss and a skid plate that makes changing the oil really fun. I have to use an old cake pan with a funnel and then the oil pan ha ha love my yoda.

 

oh ok

without one, the guys at the alignment shop will have a blast after your first big air

 

Now I've seen it all. To each his own I guess. I couldn't imagine sheding my front axles for the sake of weight loss, but I don't jump so.....

How much weight do you plan on losing by removing the axles and differential? I suppose every little bit will help. Some of the "preRunner" guys out here crack me up with the strange things they do. Fiberglass fenders all around, usually with stock or close to stock suspension and 2 spare tires in the back that weigh as much as the truck. Most of the guys out here invest so much money into their trucks to make them "look" like they perform, but you look under them and see stock control arms riding on the bump stops, cheapy shocks, cranked stock torsions and you know they didn't invest in a locker or gears.