Can you drive a 4X4 F-150 w/o the front axle installed?
 

I'm going to be installing my suspension lift this weekend. While I have the front axle removed I figure I may as well take it in to have the new gears installed to save a little $$$ for the install labor.

But I'm not positive if you can drive a 2004+ F-150 without the front axle installed. Obviously the front driveshaft and both front half shafts would also be removed, so basically it would be a 4X2 with a transfer case. I remember on the 2002 FX4 L2 Rangers this was not possible though. I believe the axle nut on the end of the front half shafts prevented the wheel hub from sliding off. Does anyone know if that's the case w/ the 2004 F-150's?

Wow, I am not sure why I have to think about this. Take a pic of what remains with it removed and we'll let you know. I'm pretty certain the hub will fall out of the spindle but am not sure, again take a few pics if you're really serious.

way off topic but why do you need a 2-2.5" leveling kit josiah??

I'm looking to go higher without cranking the coilovers, and then a 3" body possibly.

going to run 40's huh?? by the way hows your friend doing?? ive been praying every night for her.

Don't want to hijack this thread so I'll pm you in the future but this should tell you, the doctors themselves can only hope and pray for the next few days. Her blood pressure is very high, the sides of her skull are removed to help with swelling, they turned off all equipment, lights, everything that made noise as all that is associated with her brain, which even while in a coma increases her BP. I'm not sure what to think so until I knew something solid I wasn't going to post.

I might not even run 40's, I just want the added lift. I'm getting over my truck, really wish I had a new SD, hopefully it will push me to finally sell and eat the loss in mods.

250 would be awesome.

I could completely expect you to have a truck just like this one too :thumbsup:


http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/4...trip157lm5.jpg


talk about being king of the road :drool:

That's the best new SD I've seen yet, send me any more of this truck or anything this nice if you have them.

ill PM you the rest.

my buddy just bought a new SD ordered a 16" lift 42" toyos and 22" wheels not sure what wheels he picked.... anyways when its done ill post pics ist going to be huge and awesome!

Before this gets way too far off topic...No, you cannot drive your truck without the front shafts. The spindle would not be attached to anything.

I saw 10 replies and I thought there was going to be some good information in here... but I was wrong. It's just a hijacked thread.

KSpencer,
The the upper and lower control arms hold the steering knuckle in place and the wheel hub is bolted to the steering knuckle. I think... let me try to find some pictures I saw online somewhere.

PICTURE 1
In the picture above the brake caliper has been removed along with the rotor, axle dust cap, and axle nut.

PICTURE 2
Now the hub has been unbolted. It appears that those 4 bolts on the ground are what was holding the hub onto the steering knuckle; they must bolt through from the back of the steering knuckle into the hub.

So basically I need to know if that hub/bearing will stay together without the axle going through it and the nut on the end. Does the nut that goes on the end of axle just prevent the axle from popping out of the center of the hub... or does the nut on the end of the axle actually hold the hub/bearing together?

HYPOTHESIS:
I think you can drive without the axles.

Oh and that's not my truck by the way... if it was I wouldn't be asking this question.

at first I though no but then after thinking I think you can because the hub assembly is bolted to the spindle and thats where the weight rides. I would think that would leave the open part in the spindle where then hub will go later and allow dirt and grime in to later wear your axle snout out later. I think you could if you do tape up the hole as to not let dirt in. Me I would just make a buddy/mom/gf/random joe take me and my front axle up to the shop to get gears, I wouldnt be the first to try