Can a deuce be driven as a front wheel drive?

[Awesome Possum]

Can a deuce be driven as a front wheel drive? My bob will be ready to move this week but does not have a rear drive shaft yet. I'm sure I can move it around the yard, but what would be limitations on distance, if any? I had my first EUC on an M105 come through a lot quicker than anticipated, and have until next wednesday to pick it up (if I can't get an extension). Ft Hood is 25 miles each way. Whaddya' think, will it work without risking damage?

 

[Stalwart]

I can't think of any problems provided the front hubs are in good shape and you are going to treat it gently.

 

[Chevytruck]

IT should, Air shift will make it no problem, sprag... well you better hope that works!

 

[nk14zp]

Keep your thumbs out of the steering wheel!

 

[91W350]

Keep your thumbs out of the steering wheel!

I did not think about that part! I drove a 58 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 most of one winter on front wheel drive. Broke the rear differential, pulled the axles, the rear drive shaft and ran it until the warmer weather arrived.

 

[DUG]

I drove my 72 Blazer like that once. I had to make a parts run to fix the rear U joint and I had nothing else at home to drive. Got pretty squirrelly a few times.

 

[91W350]

DUG, did you have power steering? My 58 did not and it would definitely want to go straight under power.

 

[Josh]

It would be no different then driving a FWD car. Just be aware the steering will fight a little.

 

[wreckerman893]

If memory serves me (and it may not) there is something in the TM that says not to use the FWD on pavement unless there is snow/ice on it. I could be wrong....stranger things have happened.

 

[M813A1]

I was in a M880 Ambulance and was being driven from Camp Blanding to a check up at JAX NAS and the rear driveshaft fell out so the driver took the driveshaft out and drove to and from JAX NAS back to Camp Blanding with the front drive only !!

 

[m816 someday]

i dont know if the deuce and 5 ton work the same, but when i had to have my m543a2 towed, i pulled the transfer case to rear drive shaft thinking i could just put it in gear and it would move the little bit that was needed to get it lined up for the tow truck. when i went to move it, it wouldn't move. i had to put the emergency break on to get the truck to move.

 

[DUG]

DUG, did you have power steering? My 58 did not and it would definitely want to go straight under power.

Yeah, I had power steering. I was kind of a scary trip. Acted very different.

 

[Titanium Soldier]

I blew a rear yoke on my blazer, took out the drive shaft, taped a taco bell cup around the t-case to keep the fluid in and drove it about 125 miles home, no problems, kept it under 50 to be safe and took corners slow... ide say go for it, just be careful!!

BTW, at the time it was a crappy 10 bolt front axle with 35" thornbirds on it

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

If memory serves me (and it may not) there is something in the TM that says not to use the FWD on pavement unless there is snow/ice on it. I could be wrong....stranger things have happened.

WM:
My understandig on this point it that the Front Axle and Rear Axle(s) have slightly different final gear ratios (from inside the Xfer Case) and therefore require the soft surface restriction when SIX-wheel drive is engaged (front and rear wheels are driven at different speeds). Running on just the FRONT axle ALONE should negate that disproportionate gearing problem as the rear drivetrain will be freewheeling without the driveshaft installed.

IMHO - Actual results may vary. Children should NOT try this at home without MATURE ADULT supervision. Objects in mirror are CLOSER than they appear.

 

[m16ty]

It would be no different then driving a FWD car. Just be aware the steering will fight a little.

It would be different than driving a front wheel drive car. They have CV joints on the axle shafts.

The deuce will try to hop in the hard turns on pavement and it's kind of hard on the knuckle u-joints but it can be done.

Coldwarrior, I seem to remember a drawing by gringeltaube that showed the ratio as being the same front and rear.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Coldwarrior, I seem to remember a drawing by gringeltaube that showed the ratio as being the same front and rear.

You may correct, Sir.

I'm just regurgitating some "hearsay" information. It made sense when I read it. But I don't recall gleaning that info from any tech pub, TM, or diagram.... So don't count my input on this as "gospel".

Thanks.

 

[porkysplace]

It would make sense that the gear ratios are all the sameso they could just stock 1 chunk that fits all 3 axels , they all have front and back pinions so placement wouldn't matter .

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

It would make sense that the gear ratios are all the sameso they could just stock 1 chunk that fits all 3 axels , they all have front and back pinions so placement wouldn't matter .

As I understood it, the axle ratios are the same, but the front and rear outputs from the TRANSFER CASE turn at differing rates.

Can anyone knowledgably CONFIRM or DISPROVE this????

Thanks.
John

 

[Highdiver]

I have no actual experience with an m35, but every truck I have ever owned has been 4wd.

The problem with running in 4 or 6wd, on pavement happens when you try to turn the vehicle. The front end has to travel a greater distance then the rear end in a turn. With the transfer case locked it won't allow the front to turn faster then the rear, so when you do turn, the drive line is going to bind up putting stress on everything, and very poor handling.

You don't have the rear end connected so there shouldn't be a problem. I would however take it slow at first, if i was you just to make sure there are no handling problems with a vehicle that big running with only front wheel drive.

 

[Stan Leschert]

No problem. Just realize that tight turns are no longer in you tool box.
It will bind like an SOB when you come even near full turn on the wheel.
If you are on soft ground, your gravel will be re-arranged.
On cement... things break. Get out your wallet.