is this safe to do?...

[n8thgr8]

So, U joint on the transfer case end of my rear drive shaft grenaded the other night. I was only going like 5-10 mph, so I managed to avoid a LOT of damage as it dug into the pavement.
New shaft on order now...
Can I just remove the rear shaft and use the truck in 2wd? what are the consequences of doing this? Would it wear on the TC badly? is it safe?
(I would imagine the e-brake won't work properly)

 

[Tugela]

Yes, you can do it, technically speaking. As in yes, other people have done this before. Whether or not you are personally comfortable with it is for you to decide. You'll double the stresses on the front half of the drivetrain as all the power is now being directed to the front drive shaft, diff, and axle. It would be one way to test how good of condition your front drive shaft is in.

If you are just making short trips on flat terrain for a couple days until your new parts arrive it might not be a big deal. If you are driving over a mountain pass twice a day at 60mph that's a different story.

While you're waiting for your new parts you might also order some new hardware. This is a good opportunity to install some grade 8 bolts along with the new drive shaft. I did this with my front but don't know if it can be done with the rear. I hope so, as I have a spare, rebuilt rear drive shaft to install one of these days.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Yes it is fine, just lock the center diff. I drove around for months like this in high school. FYI it will handle oddly in FWD.

 

[n8thgr8]

Thank you guys!
Guam is a small island, and in a couple of days I'll have a friends car to borrow. So, it'll just be to get it home and to the shop where I can get it done when the part gets here.
Thanks for the handling tip too. I hadn't thought of that.
As for the stress on the front, I have a Tom Woods shaft up there, i'm not particularly worried about that one right now. (also I still have the factory front if I need it too)

 

[squirt]

For what it's worth, the hand brake will also continue to work as long as you have the diff lock engaged. The lock effectively ties the front and rear outputs, so if the rear isn't moving, the front isn't moving.

 

[p m]

Yes it is fine, just lock the center diff. I drove around for months like this in high school. FYI it will handle oddly in FWD.

What Jimmy said. Hand brake will work fine as well.