I just had a lady bring me her truck and said front end was making a noise. Upon inspection I found the the part of the front differential that connects to the driveshaft missing and someone had cut the driveshaft off and just left it hanging. I was wondering since this has been missing for an unknown period of time, it has most likely been driven without gear oil in the front housing and no way it could have stayed in it without the back piece attached. So my question is, do they make a cover for this that I could put gear oil back in and she drive it in 2 wheel drive after I remove the piece of driveshaft from the transfer case, or could the gears be taking out and left this way or would it have to have this piece installed and a new driveshaft put in? I have attached pics of what I found under the truck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


front side

transfer case side

 

First, are you sure this isn't a joke???

To do it right, you'll need a driveshaft and refill the front case -- if it's still in operable condition in case the IWEs still work.

Imagine turning on 4x4 while doing 50 mph down the highway? That shaft would turn into a weedwhacker and get the driver... whewwwey.

 

I assure you it’s no joke lol I am not sure about the front part tho because it’s gone. The part the driveshaft bolts to is just…..gone!

 

Sounds like you'll need the whole assembly then. It should be fixed properly.

I'd suggest going to a junkyard and getting some of the parts.

 

2001 doesn't have IWE's, it has a center diff lock.

 

^^^
Ahh yes, I forgot, a 2001. Yes, glc is correct.

 

Ok new question. After I pulled the front assembly out, it knocked a big hole in the top and the shaft gear was wedged in top. So my new question is since this is an old truck, And if i pull the axles completely out, will the wheel stay on the truck or does that axle have to be bolted thru the hub assembly to hold it all together? I ask because the lady that owns it says to just fix it to be drive-able as a 2 wheel drive. Since I already have everything pulled out, would this work or will the front wheels fall off? I have also cut the CV Joint on the wheel side to just have that part to bolt back in if needed. It was bad also.